For the new school year, the Student Life office staff just welcomed the new director of Multicultural Student Services, Antonio Quarterman.
Quarterman, who was previously the director of Multicultural Affairs at Thiel College, currently holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Thiel College and a Master’s degree in Science in Education with a concentration in Counseling from Youngstown State University.
“I love it here,” said Quarterman. “I think this is a really good fit for me.”
Quarterman joined Robert Morris University this summer after moving to Pittsburgh with his family in November 2010. While living in Pittsburgh, he had to commute to Thiel College, which is located in Greensville, PA.
“We’re excited to have [Quarterman] on board with us in Student Life,” added Maureen Keefer, the assistant Dean of students in Student Life. “[We’re] anxious for the school year to get started so we can get down to work.”
Keefer also explained that Quarterman has come up with many ideas for the school year, and has made connection with the students on campus.
“A couple of new programs [that] I am starting are the Multicultural Peer Mentor Program [and] the Multicultural Orientation.”
The Multicultural Peer Mentor Program is designed to help first year minority students get settled in the university.
“We hired ten mentors,” explained Quarterman. “ Most of them are juniors and seniors.”
The mentors will be helping up to five first year students adjust to college life, and academically. They will also host activities and workshop for their mentees.
The Multicultural Orientation, which took place on August 24, was designed to welcome first year students.
“We have 25 first year students moving in,” explained Quarterman. He also explained that as soon as they were settled, they were taken to the programs prepared for the day.
“They…[saw] presentations from student organizations,… Student Life, staff, and departments,” Quarterman stated.
In a long term, Quarterman is planning to widen the SAFE Zone program on campus. This program is meant to create a more open environment for people regardless of their sexual orientation. Quarterman is planning on targeting mostly allies of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgenders (LGBT).
The Multicultural Student Services program will be offering training to anyone interested in joining every semester.
“We’re gonna develop a committee this year,” explained Quarterman. The committee will come with a program for the training, which will be executed next fall.
Quarterman is also planning on not modifying other existing multicultural programs on campus, such as the De La Gente event, which will take place on September 11 at 4:00 p.m. in the sand volleyball court, and the Ambassador of Equality program.
“I want to see how they work before I change anything,” explained Quarterman.
Quarterman has also pointed out the difference between RMU students and students from Thiel College. He explained that students from RMU are more engaged the ones at Thiel College.
“They want to get involved,” he stated.
Quarterman will get married next summer in Rogal Chapel.
“My fiancee is actually a Robert Morris alumnus,” he stated regarding the reason why he chose to get married in the chapel.
Quarterman’s fiancee, Jessica Fick, graduated from Robert Morris University in 2006.
“It’s been great to have him here as part of our staff,” said John Locke, the director of student activities and leadership development. Locke also stated that they have planned for new activities with multicultural purposes for this year, including programs for the Hispanic Heritage month.
“We’ll have a coach and a player from the Pittsburgh Pirates come here,” explained Quarterman regarding what they have planned for the Hispanic Heritage month.“We’ll also have a latin dance series.”
“We’re excited about the programs that we have developed,” said Lisa Nutt, the associate director of the Center for Global Engagement office.
“It’s a brand new year,” stated Locke. “He’s [going to] be a great addition to our staff.”
