"Why do students need cultural centers in the 21st century? Haven't we moved past dividing into separate racial and ethinic groups? Given what we know about the origins and history of student cultural centers it seems appropriate to have a volume that looks across a variety of perspectives at cultural centers and asks hard questions about their utility, viability, and sustainability in difficult economic times. This is a collection that should find a welcome home on the shelves of college and university administrators and higher education scholars alike."---Gloria Ladson-Billings, University of Wisconsin-Madison"This book documents how these centers honor and validate cultural and ethnic backgrounds, and inspire academic excellence and achievement among students without their having to lose cultural identity or values. As our nation becomes Increasingly diverse, these centers serve as models of social justice and thus this book is a must read for all who want to ensure that their institution provides environments that exude academic success and achieve graduation for all students with their soul and Identity Whole."---Mildred Garcia, President, California State University, Dominguez Hills"Dr. Lori Patton and colleagues put flesh on bones here as they make a strong case for campusbased culture centers in the lives of the racially underepresented students they serve. Through theoretical, organizational. administrative, and programming models these authors survey the evolving landscape of cultural practices intent on celebrating and supporting the identities of multicultural students. A compelling and provocative front-line treatment of the topic, this is a resourceful compendium for anyone committed to the diversification of the 21st century campus."---Carney Strange, Professor, Bowling Green State University; Author of Educating by Design: Creating Campus Learning Environments that Work"Culture Centers in Higher Education helps to fill a major void in higher education scholarship. It offers insight and evidence as to the Importance of student culture centers as both sanctuaries and sites of resistance. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in better understanding the challenges of race and ethnicity on U.S. campuses and the importance culture centers play in the lives of students."---Robert Rhoads, UCLA Graduate School of Education & Information StudiesThis book fills a significant void in the research on ethnic minority cultural centers, offers the historic background to their establishment and development, considers the circumstances that led to their creation, examines the roles they play on campus, explores their impact on retention and campus climate, and provides guidelines for their management in the light of current issues and future directions.