Multicultural Students
Multicultural Student Resources
W&L is committed to creating and maintaining a safe and supportive atmosphere for all students. In concert with our educational mission, we seek to foster a culture in which all members of the community feel fully welcome and able to participate in everything Washington and Lee has to offer.
Mentors provide a wide array of support and guidance as well as strategies for obtaining internships, graduate school admissions and post-graduation career opportunities. This program does not replace the resources available through existing programs and services at the university, but rather creates additional ones to ensure student success.
The Washington and Lee University Friendship Family Program matches W&L international students with local families and individuals who want to connect with international students.
International students typically choose to participate in order to learn more about American culture and customs through interaction with an American family, improve conversational English skills, and to develop friendships with individuals in the local community. There are dozens of international students at W&L, representing a diverse range of cultures and interests. Friendship families participate in the program in order to provide a comfortable and welcoming environment to international students far away from home.
Since their inception in the early 20th century, Historically Black Greek Letter Organizations have enhanced the lives of African American students in higher education. Founded on the principles of service, brotherhood and sisterhood and scholarship, these organizations have developed some of the world's greatest leaders, who are committed to developing their communities and making the world a better place.
Currently, there are charters for two historically black Greek fraternities: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.; and two sororities: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
The Latino Student Organization is an extra-circular organization designed to promote and expose students to the many Latino cultures while providing a community for people interested in the Latino cultures. To this end the LSO will work in coordination with other organizations and specifically the Romance Languages Department in order to share our vision with the Washington and Lee community and beyond.
PAACE provides an environment where students can come together to appreciate the different Asian cultures of the world. And in turn, we hope to be able to spread our love and appreciation for Asian culture to the Lexington community. Our primary goal is to reach out to those who are unfamiliar with the Asian culture and allow them to experience a taste of it here in Lexington.
The Student Association for Black Unity (SABU) promotes the holistic development of Black/African American/Caribbean American community on campus. SABU seeks to continue to create and maintain Black/African American/Caribbean American consciousness, awareness and identity and reflect upon and preserve Black/African American/Caribbean American history and increase awareness of said history. SABU also looks to ensure W&L provides an environment that is inclusive of Blacks/African Americans/Caribbean Americans and that Blacks/African Americans/Caribbean Americans are fully and accurately represented on campus.
Student Association for International Learning (SAIL), widely known as "SAIL," is an organization dedicated to addressing international issues within the Washington and Lee (W&L) community and sharing with the W&L campus new and different answers to social, cultural and political questions. Most importantly, SAIL promotes exchange between the diverse cultures represented at W&L. Simply put, "bringing the world to our campus" describes what SAIL does.
While Washington and Lee University is a non-sectarian institution, we realize that spirituality is part of a student's holistic development. We provide programs, resources and spaces for all students to learn, explore and grow.
Interfaith Resource Center
The Interfaith Resource Center is located on the second floor of Hillel House. The center has resources about different world religions and is open to anyone of any religion. It also provides a place for students to meet with their faith leaders and students of different religions
Hillel House
W&L's Hillel House was established to provide facilities, guidance and organization for religious, cultural, educational, service and interfaith activities. Hillel is dedicated to building Jewish identity while nurturing intellectual and spiritual growth, as well as interfaith conversations. Hillel House also features a sanctuary where Jewish religious services are held.
Sacred Space
Elrod Commons Room 319 is a dedicated and consecrated room set aside for prayer, contemplation
Religious Gatherings
Lexington is home to several churches of many denominations that are attended by students, faculty, staff and community members alike. In addition, there are many student-led clubs and organizations focused on bringing students together to practice faith on campus.