Linfield College’s Multicultural Department recently created an internship position. Amy Bumatai, a recent graduate of Linfield College, is the first person to hold this title.

One of Bumatai’s main duties is advising student-lead multicultural groups. Director of Multicultural Programs, Jason Rodriqguez, and Bumatai help to direct such groups with event planning and other major projects or tasks.

For instance, Bumatai is assisting multicultural student organizations with big projects, including Hispanic Heritage Day, Native American Heritage Month and Multicultural Reception.

Bumatai said that her job also includes helping people and students understand culture and diversity. She also acts as the multicultural department’s receptionist.

One of Bumatai’s main projects is helping to develop and establish mentor and mentee relationships between Linfield’s freshmen and upper classmen through Linfield’s new Wildcat Intercultural Network (WIN) Program.

The multicultural internship was created with the recent expansion of Linfield’s Multicultural Programs Department that has moved to the third floor of Riley Hall.

“We are constantly [expanding] the office and looking for ways to celebrate the wonderful diversity at Linfield College,” said Rodriguez.

Rodriguez has worked with Bumatai for the past two years while she was co-chair for Linfield’s Hawaiian Club’s Lu’au. This is where he noticed Bumatai’s strong work ethic, positive attitude and ideas for diversity and multiculturalism at Linfield.

“Brenda DeVore Marshall recommended Amy chat with me about my career path and opportunities in Multicultural Programs and next thing you know, Amy is the intern for Multicultural Programs,” Rodriguez said. Bumatai graduated with a major in intercultural communications from Linfield in May 2013. She wrote her thesis on diversity and higher education.

“I really like student affairs and working with college groups,” Bumatai said.

Another one of Bumatai’s current projects is working with the Asian American Alliance group to create a Chinese New Year event. She is helping the group take the necessary steps to make it a campus wide event.

The Multicultural internship has a chance of being offered next year in Linfield’s Multicultural Programs department.

“It is my hope that eventually there will be an Assistant Director or Program Coordinator of Multicultural Programs as a professional position in addition to an intern,” Rodriguez said.

Mariah Gonzales / Culture Editor

Mariah Gonzales can be reached at [email protected]