The Malcolm X Institute of Black Studies has a history dating back to 1967 at Wabash College as a multi-faceted educational and cultural center. The MXIBS offers cultural, social and co-curricular programs and contributes in varying ways to an academic engagement with the African-American experience, one that has included curriculum development, research, and a regular lecture series. The contribution to the academic life of the College, however, is not limited just to support for Black Studies courses; its reach and impact must be larger. It is a partner in serving the broader College mission of educating students in the liberal arts and in advancing the College’s strategic goals of strengthening the global and cross-cultural awareness of all our students.
As an academic/cultural resource, the MXIBS aims to create a living and learning environment that fosters an appreciation of the diverse and rich African American heritage, life and culture. It does so in the context of the College’s mission of engaging and educating students, primarily students of color but not limited to them. In collaboration with other college offices, leaders, and programs, the MXIBS supports the recruitment, retention, and development of students of color, and as such serves all students in support of the College’s mission to educate men to think critically, act responsibly, lead effectively and live humanely.
A vibrant and effective Malcolm X Institute of Black Studies is a partner with the nascent Asian Studies program, the Center of Inquiry and all other academic programs and student services in strengthening the education of students for the 21st century. The programs and presence of the MXIBS will help us to recruit, retain, and offer better ways to engage a diverse student population and can be a partner in increasing the College’s ability to recruit and retain diverse faculty and staff. The MXIBS must be a leader in this College-wide effort.
Developing a vibrant presence on campus through a range of educational programs in collaboration with all departments, offices and constituencies of the College will ensure that the College’s mission is achieved. One form of that is to make sure that students of color in particular but all students have a rich, engaged, and satisfying experience at Wabash so that they are educated to become full partners and beneficiaries of the experience with the diversity of persons, ideas, experiences and cultures that we know leads to successful liberal arts learning outcomes.
It will accomplish this goal through support of interdisciplinary scholarship, course development and inspiring teaching and learning that continues the critical engagement with regional, national and global issues of race, poverty, inequality, human rights and justice essential for every educated 21st century Wabash graduate. Like other academic departments and programs of the College, the MXIBS, by means of its distinctive history, advocates, and future promise, advances the College’s strategic goals of preparing students for global citizenship.