Whitman’s New Third Space Center Celebrates Communities of Color

As part of Whitman’s ongoing efforts to create an inclusive, anti-racist community, on Oct. 1 the college opened its new Third Space Center—a resource designed to uplift the needs, concerns, interests, histories and cultures of the wide-ranging communities of color at Whitman.

What was once the Alumni Office and later a college-owned residential home is now a dedicated space that celebrates students from all corners of the world. While the center is open to all, it provides a safe and affirming space for students from historically marginalized communities to bring their whole, authentic selves to the Whitman community.

A Place With a Purpose

A key pillar of Whitman’s strategic priorities is cultivating a truly inclusive, anti-racist community. During the opening ceremony for the new center, President Sarah Bolton reaffirmed the importance of making sure every student finds belonging here.

“Creating this space is part of making sure that each student at Whitman feels fully welcome and fully at home on this campus, so each student can thrive and learn and advance their own voice, their own brilliance, their own vision, their own future,” Bolton said.

The cultural richness of Whitman’s student population is what initially called for the Third Space Center. Dr. John Johnson, Vice President of Inclusive Excellence, says this new campus resource will enhance the student experience and advance inclusion efforts on campus.

“Real magic happens when students have these Third Spaces where they can put that academic content in conversation with their cultural ways of knowing to make meaning and create new knowledge for themselves and their communities,” Dr. Johnson said at the ceremony.

Various campus community members engaged in the center's thoughtful planning, including students, staff, faculty and representatives from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR). With a shared goal of uplifting historically marginalized communities, the building was renovated to be more than just a safe space but a brave place where differences can be celebrated and voices heard.

“We are creating a space rooted in unity, healing and empowerment for Black, Indigenous and people of color, a space that acknowledges our struggles, celebrates our cultures and embraces our collective strength,” said Martina Gordon, CTUIR General Council Secretary, at the ceremony. “This center stands as a testament to the resilience of our communities, to the generations that come before us and to the voices that continue to rise in the face of adversity.”

Making Space for All

This transformative initiative is a powerful reminder for students to come as they are. All are welcome at Whitman. Every square inch of the two-story building was thoughtfully planned with students in mind.

The first floor is fully accessible. It features a spacious community room with design accents from various cultures, an alcove salon with a styling chair, a dining room for family-style dinners, and a full kitchen equipped with a tortilla press, molcajete, rice cooker, wok, chopsticks, Native-designed coffee mugs, and a drawer full of spices.

After the opening ceremony, smiling and laughter filled the rooms as students were first to experience the new building. Many described feeling at home.

“I think it’s all so amazing. It’s so cool,” says Aaliyah Howard ’27, Chair of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the Associated Students of Whitman College (ASWC).

Howard is also on the ASWC Sustainability Committee, which advocated for safer menstrual products available on campus. The Third Space Center is the first building on campus to implement the change.

“They really put thought and effort into everything, and it makes me feel like they put thought and effort about me coming to school here,” she says.

The center is a work in progress. Students are encouraged to give their feedback and brainstorm ideas of how they’d like to use the second floor of the building—which was intentionally left as a blank canvas so that students can make it their own.

Also housed in the Third Space Center is the office of the Senior Director of Identity and Belonging—a new position created to oversee the center and lead the unit that includes the Third Space Center, LGBTQIA+ Student Services, the Glover Alston Intercultural Center and Religious and Spiritual Life. Campus-wide programs focusing on education surrounding the complexities of race, racism and race relations will also be organized out of the center.

“We have more work to do to build institutional capacity to respond effectively to the needs of all students, staff and faculty,” Dr. Johnson says. “As that work continues to expand and evolve, we believe the Third Space Center will make a meaningful difference to the student experience.”