NIU offers academic minors that cover a scope of ethnicities and cultures.

LaVerne Gyant, director of the Center for Black Studies, said there are many benefits to obtaining a cultural minor. She said the minor could help students expand their knowledge or interest in a particular area. She also said it makes students more marketable.

Cultural minors offer courses in history, literature and contemporary issues.

“I have known students who have had cultural minors to be successful in law, education, business and technology,” Gyant said.

More specifically, a black studies minor will introduce students to new ideas and literature not offered in many traditional mainstream courses, Gyant said.

Michael Gonzales, director of Latino and Latin American studies, said cultural minors are important to NIU students.

“These programs serve as a vehicle to learn about different cultural heritages,” Gonzales said.

Gonzales said one does not need to have an academic interest in a culture to minor in it. To be in business, one must have knowledge of people. To be in education, one must communicate effectively with students, Gonzales said. He said a minor in Latino and Latin American studies is suggested because Latinos are the fastest-growing group in the United States.

Susan Russell, program director for the Center for Southeast Asian Studies, also said cultural minors are beneficial.

“It helps students’ resumes stand out from the pack,” she said. “It shows that you are internationally well-informed, and have broad interests beyond those of your major discipline.”

Russell said there are seven institutions in addition to NIU, where students can obtain a minor in Southeast Asian studies. She said she encourages a minor in Southeast Asian studies for those interested in a career in international business or government.

Gonzales said he would like to see more students take advantage of the minor. He said there are 15 students with the Latino and Latin American minor. There are 55 students with a black studies minor, which has increased 100 percent since 1996, Gyant said.

Gonzales said all the programs could use more resources. With more resources and staff, he would like to offer more courses, speakers, concerts and plays.

With added resources, Gyant would like to implement an African Language concentration, a major in black studies, a certificate in black studies for graduate students and more courses. Russell said she would like to offer scholarships to undergraduates to study the languages and to study abroad in Southeast Asia.