By Mackenzie Prince 
University of Maryland students build community and foster connections through cultural clubs and events. For some, this push coincides with the Trump administration’s proposed cuts to diversity, equity and inclusion programs at universities. 

Currently, there are over 40 cultural organizations available to UMD students, ranging across ethnic backgrounds and religious affiliations, according to the university’s website. 

Eliana Abrahams, a freshman Jewish studies and history major, is a member of Maryland Hillel, a Jewish student organization on-campus. 

“Maryland has the fourth-largest Hillel in the world and a really active Jewish community, which is definitely something I [always] wanted,” Abrahams said. 

Through her involvement with the organization, Abrahrams attended events, like FreshFest, and earned an internship at Hillel, working at the front desk. 

Yvette Lerma Jones, the university’s student affairs director for diversity, equity and inclusion, sees the importance of diverse organizations in building a community for everybody on campus. 

“Oftentimes, when people talk about diversity, equity and inclusion, we forget about the benefits that it brings to all students on that campus,” Jones said. “Come out to the large campus events…to ensure that you find connections, find a home, but also get that sense of belonging that we know will help you in your long-term success.”

Jones mentioned that the university is currently developing a cultural center, which, according to the university’s website, aims to serve members of the following communities: Asian Pacific Islander, disabled, Latinx, multiracial, and Native and Indigenous. 

“It’s a very common experience that I hear from students from marginalized communities, quite frankly, most communities that they maybe don’t find their [place] or don’t find folks that are like them on this campus, until it feels like it’s too late,” Jones said. “The cultural center allows for that awareness to increase by giving folks a space where they can come in and find that connection.” 

While some cultural groups focus on hosting events for their members, others, such as Delta Kappa Delta, focus on serving the broader community. Avani Shetty, a junior information science major, is the vice president of Delta Kappa Delta, a South Asian service sorority. 

“I wanted to find a community where I could be around people of the same culture as me,” Shetty said, acknowledging how the club’s community outreach also enticed her to join.  

Shetty highlighted the lack of South Asian representation in campus organizations, noting that Delta Kappa Delta provides members a space to connect with their culture and make a broader impact.

“This is something that is more than just a club for us,” Shetty said. “We are a part of a sisterhood and we want to make an impact [on others].” 

With DEI cuts looming over universities, Jones says it’s more important than ever for clubs to unite and foster a sense of community amongst students, mentioning challenges that universities with anti-DEI initiatives have faced. 

“Student organizations [at neighboring universities] have been able to move forward and carry some of that by still coordinating events [and] by still bringing together the community,” Jones said. “It’s also about how do we ensure that our campus community is a space where you get to learn and be prepared for the [diverse] society that you will face when you leave the institution?”

Featured Image: Students at the University of Maryland form connections with peers through cultural clubs and events. Photo by Mackenzie Prince.