Community +
Belonging
Community +
Belonging
Community +
Belonging
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You'll belong at Northwestern

You'll belong at Northwestern

You'll belong at Northwestern

As a Raider, you'll be part of a community where you'll be heard, valued and supported. You'll study, live and work with others from a wide range of backgrounds, cultures and experiences—all of us different, but united in our desire to participate in God's redeeming work in the world. 

Vision for Diversity

Guided by the biblical narrative of creation, fall, redemption and restoration, Northwestern College strives to pursue God's redeeming work in the world by courageously and faithfully engaging the fullness of our similarities and differences in our learning and living together.

We embrace diversity in God's creation
  • Valuing each person as created in the image of the triune God and thus intended for community
  • Respecting the complexity of human identities
  • Recognizing human difference as central to an education that fosters critical thinking, empathy and dialogue
We lament human brokenness
We reconcile with one another
We embody shalom
This statement was developed by Northwestern College's Multi-Ethnic Resource Committee (now the Diversity Resource Committee) with broad campus input and approved by the board of trustees in October 2015.
12%ETHNIC MINORITIES12% of NWC's traditional undergraduates are U.S. ethnic minority students.
26COUNTRIES REPRESENTEDNWC students hail from countries around the world, including Brazil, Colombia, Japan, Nepal, the Netherlands and Spain.
7%FIRST-GEN STUDENTS7% of NWC's freshman class are first-generation college students.
16%FACULTY DIVERSITY16% of Northwestern's full-time faculty are people of color.
PROGRAMFor students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

#RaidersStandOut

STAFF
Martha
Martha Martha Draayer encourages intercultural student development by mentoring, supporting and teaching students from underrepresented groups.
STAFF
Kelly
Kelly Kelly Schmidt draws on her international experience and connections to help non-U.S. students apply and enroll at Northwestern.
STAFF
Kelsey
Kelsey As part of the staff for Northwestern’s Bridge Center, Joseph supports international students as they adjust to life on campus and in the United States.
ALUMNI
Johnny
Johnny Northwestern’s authentic and vibrant Christian community allowed Johnny to grow in his faith and equipped him to pursue God’s calling on his life.
ALUMNI
Stephan
Stephan At Northwestern, Stephan found a connection to youth he didn't know he had. With the help of professors, he became a teacher and coach who shapes the next generation of students and athletes.
FACULTY
Emanuel
Emanuel A biomechanical movement researcher, Dr. Singh sees his scientific studies as attempts to unravel the mysteries behind God's great design.
FACULTY
Han-Yen
Han-Yen Dr. Kao believes that economics is all about people, and economic decisions have the power to shape the world around us.
ALUMNI
Osiris
Osiris Osiris’ passion for art allows her to provide holistic and innovative care to therapy patients from diverse backgrounds.

Bridge Center

The Bridge Center is Northwestern's center for intercultural development, helping all students live into our Vision for Diversity. Learn more about the Bridge Center's leadership and services:

Bridge Center Leadership
Bridge Scholars
Host families

As Northwestern's director of intercultural development, Martha (Perez) Draayer leads Northwestern's Bridge Center and encourages intercultural student development by mentoring, supporting and teaching students. She also collaborates with staff and faculty to encourage the development of cultural intelligence among all of the campus community. Martha holds bachelor's and master's degrees in education and is currently pursuing a seminary degree.

Bridge Center

The Bridge Center is Northwestern's center for intercultural development, helping all students live into our Vision for Diversity. Learn more about the Bridge Center's leadership and services:

Bridge Center Leadership

As Northwestern's director of intercultural development, Martha (Perez) Draayer leads Northwestern's Bridge Center and encourages intercultural student development by mentoring, supporting and teaching students. She also collaborates with staff and faculty to encourage the development of cultural intelligence among all of the campus community. Martha holds bachelor's and master's degrees in education and is currently pursuing a seminary degree.

Bridge Scholars
Host families

Student clubs

Northwestern provides more than 50 clubs and organizations to support nearly every interest, including these:

Intercultural Club
La Mosaic
Women in Leadership

I-Club gives international and U.S. students opportunities to get to know each other and learn about one another's cultures through meetings, events and trips. Annual events include the Beloved Festival of Culture and the I-Club Coffeehouse.

Student clubs

Northwestern provides more than 50 clubs and organizations to support nearly every interest, including these:

Intercultural Club

I-Club gives international and U.S. students opportunities to get to know each other and learn about one another's cultures through meetings, events and trips. Annual events include the Beloved Festival of Culture and the I-Club Coffeehouse.

La Mosaic
Women in Leadership