Multicultural Center
Centering voices to promote cultural change
An Inclusive Gathering Place for Students in Grainger Hall
Cultivate community
Come together with students and center staff. Find support as an underrepresented student and join students in building community and fostering belonging.
Promote cultural change
Find leadership opportunities and have space to plan, organize, empower others, and make a difference at UW–Madison and the School of Business.
Engage with each other
Participate in a variety of programs such as Music Mondays and career events. Celebrate inclusivity through heritage and history month programming.
The Multicultural Center
2250 Grainger Hall
- Multicultural commons
- Study space
- Conference room
- Meditation, prayer, and wellness space
Center hours
- 9 a.m.–9 p.m. Monday—Wednesday
- 9 a.m.–8 p.m. Thursday
- 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Friday
Interested in reserving our spaces for your organization?
Have questions about the space or want to learn more?
The Center’s Mission
The Multicultural Center supports students from historically underrepresented backgrounds, particularly students of color. We strive to center their voices to promote cultural change and build an inclusive community where all students can thrive. We celebrate diversity, facilitate dialogue and cross-collaboration, and foster a sense of belonging in the Wisconsin School of Business.
Our values
- Celebrate inclusivity
- Empower voices
- Value growth
- Foster belonging
- Cultivate community
Undergraduate Affinity Groups
Our groups bring students together over common identities, fostering connections within WSB and the Multicultural Center. Supported by dedicated WSB liaisons, these groups provide a welcoming home for students seeking shared experiences. Students find support and belonging in a vibrant community space through discussions and activities.
Dynamic Forces Empowering Change
The Multicultural Center celebrates the past, present and future of diversity and belonging at the Wisconsin School of Business. Our students, alumni, faculty, and staff of underrepresented backgrounds are changemakers within the school, their communities, and the world.
Leading with purpose
Ayo Kolawole (BBA ’25)
Ayo is driven by a strong sense of determination, embracing change as an opportunity to grow and make a lasting impact. In addition to securing internships and a full-time position at Morgan Stanley, Ayo helped expand the student organization Diverse Leaders for Tomorrow to six universities across the country. In his real estate career, he aims to create more equitable and beautiful spaces through intentional, sustainable investment.
Equipping future leaders
Brenda De La Torre (BBA ’25)
Brenda—described as an influential role model for others—helps empower students and prepare them for successful careers as president of the Association of Latino Professionals for America at UW–Madison (2024-25). As a supply chain professional, she will apply data-driven strategies and innovative risk management practices to streamline processes and drive lasting change in her community.
Supporting communities worldwide
Laomani Sisongkham (BBA ’25)
Laomani is committed to empowering underserved communities. As a first-generation college student, he leverages experiences from leading student organizations and studying abroad in Southeast Asia to shape his path as a servant leader. Focused on global impact, he aims to harness emerging technology that improves the quality of life worldwide, building a career dedicated to meaningful change.
Inspiring healthy living
Reena Vokoun (BBA ’98)
After gaining experience at GE, CNET, Reebok, Yahoo, and Google, Reena decided to forge her own path, combining her passion for wellness with her entrepreneurial spirit. Today, she is the founder and CEO of Passion Fit, as well as a TEDx speaker, author, and TV host and contributor. She leverages her expertise in fitness, nutrition, mindfulness, and behavioral change coaching to help individuals and organizations build sustainable habits to optimize their health and wellbeing.
Opening doors for people of color
Alexis Steinbach (BS ’13, MS ’18)
Alexis empowers students and staff of color at the Wisconsin School of Business by creating meaningful opportunities. As former director of pre-business, certificate, and transfer advising, she improved the pre-business student experience by fostering an inclusive, supportive environment. Now assistant dean of undergraduate student affairs, Alexis leads strategy for leadership and engagement, precollege and scholarship programs, and the Multicultural Center.
Exposing biases in business
Chia-Jung Tsay
Chia-Jung Tsay, associate professor of management and human resources, studies the psychological processes that influence decision-making about performance. Drawing inspiration from her background as a performing musician, Chia’s research explores how perception, expertise, and biases impact professional selection and advancement. She also serves as a faculty affiliate at the Institute for Diversity Science.
Meet Our Team
