The Center for Leadership, Equity, and Excellence

Providing opportunities to explore, engage, and experience

The Center for Leadership, Equity, and Excellence helps bring students on the Oakland campus together as a community. We provide rich cultural programming and leadership and employment opportunities that give students the skills to become an active force for positive social change in their local and global communities. We also maintain multiple community spaces for historically marginalized student populations, as well as spaces the broader Northeastern student community.

Student activities

Throughout the academic year, we celebrate diverse cultural experiences through seven recognized heritage months: Arab Diaspora Heritage Month; Asian, Asian American, & Pacific Islander+ Heritage Month; Black History Month; Indigenous Heritage Month; Latinx Heritage Month; OUTober (LGBTQIA+ Month); and Women’s History Month.

Programs during these months range from dialogues exploring history, power, and privilege through an intersectional lens to cultural performances to celebrations of delicious ethnic cuisines.

Leadership development

The center facilitates opportunities for holistic leadership development at every stage of a student’s journey. Students can apply these skills to their personal lives, academics, professional work, and community advocacy.

Lounges

To support community building on campus, the center manages lounge spaces in Rothwell Center for student affinity groups and the general student community. Refer to the campus map (PDF) for specific locations.

• Cyclone Rec Room: The Cyclone Recreation Room provides a comfortable space for students to come together. This rec space and lounge is furnished with tables, a television, booths, comfy bean bag chairs and couches for hanging out. The lounge is stocked with board games, card games, and a ping pong table.
• LGBTQIA2S Lounge: The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, Two Spirit Space serves as a hub for students to study, hold meetings, programs, and events. As our population grows and becomes more diverse, we want to ensure our LGBTQIA2S community has a space to gather and find community. Students are encouraged to hang out, study, and meet here with the expectation that they respect the community this space serves.
• Mary Atkins Legacy Lounge: The Mary Atkins Lounge historically was space for undergraduate students of a non-traditional age. The lounge is now designated for women and gender-expansive students, honoring the legacy of Mary Atkins and Mills College. The space is equipped with comfortable chairs and sofas, and students have access to a plethora of snacks, coffee, and tea; a communal fridge; and communal use of school supplies. Check with the front desk for access during open hours.
• Parenting Lounge: The Parenting Lounge is a place for students, staff, and faculty who are parents to spend time with their children on campus. The lounge also serves as a private lactation space. It is equipped with a children’s play area with books and toys, a rocking chair, and a changing table. Parents also have access to the Mary Atkins Legacy Lounge across the hall for use of the refrigerator and sink. Check with the front desk for access during open hours.
• Solidarity Lounge (S Lounge): The Solidarity Lounge frequently is the venue for student-based group meetings, discussions, and events. This multi-room lounge also serves as a quiet study space and is stocked with a range of school supplies, refreshments, and a small library. A prayer/meditation room is available for use by people of any faith, religion, or spiritual practice. 
• Study Room: The Study Room is a private space for study sessions, counseling sessions, interviews, and more. This lounge is equipped with desks, office chairs, a couch, a television, a sound machine, and study materials.