The Center for Leadership, Equity, and Excellence

Providing opportunities to explore, engage, and experience

The Center for Leadership, Equity, and Excellence is the hub of student activities on campus. The center plans co-curricular options to engage students in campus life, provides resources that help students grow, and inspires students to effect change. The center empowers students to become positive change makers through inclusive leadership and social justice opportunities.

Student clubs and organizations

The center works closely with students who are interested in creating or joining clubs. Students organize clubs around academics, recreational activities, professions, the arts, affinity groups, spirituality, social interests, and more. The annual Club and Community Action Fair, where campus clubs and local organizations table on the meadow, is an excellent opportunity to check out ways for students to get involved outside the classroom. See a sample student club roster.

Student activities

Throughout the academic year, the center organizes and co-sponsors an engaging mix of activities, ranging from social events to skill-building workshops. Any student—whether they are affiliated with a club or student organization or not—can plan events. To support these student leaders, the center offers guidance in how to develop and execute a successful event plan.

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. The center’s staff members serve as advisors to the Associated Students of Mills College to support student government and act as coordinators for all clubs and organizations.

Lounges

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

• Solidarity Lounge (S Lounge): The Solidarity Lounge opened in September 2003, after a year of intensive activism and broad-based alliance building, as an empowering space for students of color and their allies. A prayer/meditation room is available in the S Lounge for use by people of any faith, religion, or spiritual practice. This lounge is often used as a quiet study space between meetings and is stocked with a range of supplies and snacks. 
  Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.–8 p.m. 
• LGBTQIA2S Lounge: The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, Two Spirit Space opened in the spring of 2018 to serve 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. Snacks, refreshments, and study materials are provided.
  Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.–8 p.m.
• Cyclone Rec Room: The Cyclone Recreation Room provides a comfortable space for students to come together. This rec space and lounge has tables to meet with friends, a television, comfy bean bag chairs and couches for hanging out, and a bulletin board with information about campus events. The lounge is stocked with board games, card games, along with foosball and ping pong tables. Snacks and beverages are available in the Community Health Resource Center next door. 
  Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.–12 a.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 4 p.m.–12 a.m. 
• Parenting Lounge*: The Parenting Lounge is a place for student parents to connect with one another, share resources, and spend time with their children on campus. The lounge is equipped with a couch, a play area with children’s books and games, diapers, a private lactation nook and changing area, refrigerator, and a study table. Parenting students also have access to the Mary Atkins Legacy Lounge kitchen. 
  Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.–8 p.m.
• Mary Atkins Legacy Lounge*: The Mary Atkins Lounge has historically been a space for undergraduate resuming students. In August 2022, the lounge has become a commemorative space honoring Mary Atkins and the legacy of Mills College of providing access to education for women and gender non-conforming students. 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. It is a great place to study, take a break, and connect with other students.
  Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.–12 a.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 4 p.m.–12 a.m. 
• Student Leadership Lounge: The Student Leadership Lounge was relocated and redesigned in 2022 to provide clubs and organizations a space on campus to access club supplies, host meetings, and connect with one another. The lounge holds the ASMC President’s office and provides a space for ASMC members to meet and hold office hours.
  Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.–8 p.m. 

* = Requires key access.