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For Hawaii native Christel McGuigan, Director of Multicultural Programs, diversity is an integral part of her life because she grew up in a place where multiculturalism is freely accepted and celebrated. Having lived in the continental United States for 10 years, Mrs. McGuigan notices a huge difference in the acceptance of racial divides.
“I grew up in a multicultural, multi-racial place, and when I moved to the continental United States, all the racial tension was confusing because I come from a place where it’s so comfortable to be of different ethnicities,” Mrs. McGuigan said. “In fact, it is the norm to be of a multicultural background.”
This is Mrs. McGuigan’s first year at Greenhill, and she is excited to share her background and experiences to contribute to the school’s diverse community.
“[Multicultural Programs] is an area to which I can contribute and I feel passionate about what I do,” Mrs. McGuigan said. “This work is my calling, and I am happy at Greenhill in this capacity.”
Linking with people through groups and wanting to belong is part of human nature. People subconsciously group throughout
the day based on affinities, or common interests. Groups provide a sense of acceptance,
mentorship, or a safe space to discuss shared commonality.
The school is an affinity group in itself because it binds people together in a community, but within it, there are numerous groups.
“The purpose of an affinity group is to bring people together,” Ms. McGuigan said. “It is a space in which an individual can feel a sense of belonging based on who they are as a diverse individual within our community.
Studies show that a sense of belonging reduces anxiousness, stress, and boosts self-esteem. Affinity groups align with our mission in that we strive to provide an environment in which one’s individuality and diversity is acknowledged and celebrated.”
Different clubs based on interest, such as Political Action Club (PAC) or the girls’ lacrosse team, are essentially affinity groups because people meet according to common interests. Under the school’s multicultural programs, affinity groups are based on identity, such as gender, race, or religion, rather than interests.
These groups meet formally at designated times instead of informally throughout the day because members of certain groups may not be able to link up together otherwise. For example, an affinity group called “The Union” for African-American boys meets once or twice a month.
The Union’s membership is based on race and gender to provide the support for one another that their friends of other races and genders cannot.
“The overall intention of The Union is to better the Greenhill community, but we start by bettering ourselves,” said senior William Everett. “We are the small percentage of black males in the Upper School and for reasons that we cannot begin to describe, it is not easy being the minority on top of many other factors, but we are the only ones who truly see this struggle. So in these meetings we discuss how to improve our minority group and better our experiences here at Greenhill with intentions of improving the school as a whole.”
There are also affinity groups for families of African Americans, East Asians, Asians, Hispanics, and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ). Mrs. McGuigan emphasizes the importance of these groups for the individual’s or families’ well-being.
“Feeling connected to a community boosts self esteem and confidence,” Mrs. McGuigan said. “What makes Greenhill special is we provide opportunities for diverse individuals to connect with people of similar backgrounds and celebrate that difference.”
She also stresses that these groups are not meant to exclude others in any way, but to create an appreciation for differences in the community.
“We should be supportive and respect their space,” Mrs. McGuigan said. “I hear comments like, ‘oh, that’s segregation and divisiveness,’ but it’s the complete opposite. We value the whole individual and all he or she brings to our community. I hope every individual feels as if there are multiple spaces here at Greenhill in which they feel completely comfortable being who they are. We have to be secure about who we are in order to honor and respect what that group has in common and show compassion towards it. This makes the individual happier, healthier, and more confident.”
The school also allows students to create affinity groups in order to raise awareness about their culture. Junior Anna Galvez plans on starting a Latina affinity group sometime this year.
“I think affinity groups help students by providing an opportunity to familiarize themselves with people that are similar to them,” Anna said. “In a place like Greenhill where diversity is stressed, it’s nice to find your niche in the school and know that you aren’t the only person of your culture; it helps keep you grounded to your heritage and morals.”
While most schools offer diversity clubs, “Greenhill is the only school that provides sufficient multicultural programs,” said Art Hall, Dean of Students.
Although Mrs. McGuigan’s job is to help facilitate and promote an inclusive environment through programs and policies, her schedule changes daily. The only consistency is her level two Spanish class during third period.
She is not a native speaker but says she will never stop teaching Spanish and adores her students.
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