Religious and Spiritual Life
High Point University, a United Methodist-affiliated institution, is Christian by tradition and interfaith in vision. High Point University has been nationally recognized for its creative philosophy toward religious life, which helps students engage in both Christian spiritual formation while also encouraging students to recognize, value, and learn more about multiple faith traditions and spiritual practices. Our active programming efforts all work toward our mission: Doing Justice; Loving Mercy; Walking Humbly with God. Learn more about how you can participate in our religious life.
Learn more about High Point University’s Religious and Spiritual Life Groups.
Multicultural Student Groups
The Student Diversity Council is a strong network of student organizations that is dedicated to the mission of promoting diversity of thought. The Council consists of the Diversity Club, Black Cultural Awareness, P.R.I.D.E., the National Association of Black Journalists, the National Pan-Hellenic Council, and InterFaith United. The Student Diversity Council routinely sponsors events such as speakers, round-table discussions, retreats, and cultural activities.
Learn more about High Point University’s Chartered Cultural Organizations.
The National Pan-Hellenic Council is a collaborative organization of the 9 historically black Greek letter fraternities and sororities.
Learn more about High Point University’s National Pan-Hellenic Council.
Studying Diversity
The scholarly life at High Point University is a key component to embracing matters of diversity, inclusion, and equality, for it is in the classroom and through the academic coursework that students learn about the historical, analytic, and theoretical differences of varying cultures, languages, and people. No matter what major students are studying, they have countless opportunities across the curriculum—whether it’s a multi-ethnic literature course, a Buddhist religion course, a biology of women course, a women’s and gender studies course, a Japanese pop culture course, an African history course, to name just a few—to be challenged and exposed to a wide array of worldviews and philosophies. See our current Bulletin for a complete list of courses across every department and these courses which are considered “Diversity Rich.”
Learn more about High Point University’s Religion Classes, Women’s and Gender Studies, and Media and Pop Culture.
International Student Life
High Point University welcomes students from every hemisphere and honors individual cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Our International Student community has grown from about 20 students in 2013 to more than 150 international and internationally affiliated students who are engaging and learning with faculty, staff, and student groups. The International Club is a rapidly growing, very active group focused on leadership, service, and fellowship, and they offer events throughout the year to heighten awareness of global events and issues on campus. Together with the HPU Interfaith group, international students participate in holiday celebrations and religious observations that provide outlets for spiritual growth as well as learning opportunities for those from various religious backgrounds.
Learn more about High Point University’s Office of International Student Services.
WOMEN’S & GENDER STUDIES
Women’s and Gender Studies at High Point University’s is a vibrant, interdisciplinary program that offers courses, programming, and events that promote social justice on our campus and in local and global communities. Using an intersectional approach, Women’s and Gender Studies promotes diversity through the analysis and discussion of historical and contemporary systems of privilege and oppression, with special attention to the ways gender intersects with race, class, sexuality, ethnicity, ability, religion, and nationality. The WGS Program offers a 20-credit minor; an Individualized Program of Study major; houses a chapter of Iota Iota Iota, a national women’s studies honor society; and sponsors Feminists Advocating in Today’s Society (FACTS), a student-run organization
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
High Point University is committed to making connections between our students and our local community, and this happens in a variety of ways under our quickly growing Service Learning Program, where service, civic leadership and ethics intersect. Students merge theoretical course work and community-based research with active problem solving and hands-on practices to form strong citizens of our democracy, to create social innovation, and to develop knowledge-based leadership skills. Some of the other programs that work in tandem with the Service Learning Program and serve our community are the Community Writing Center, the MLK Day of Service, the AmeriCorps VISTA Program, and the Bonner Leader Program. Each of these programs is designed to engage students in an experiential and interdisciplinary learning environment.
EVENTS
Our campus continually hosts a wide array of artists, scholars, and innovators at venues across campus who explore matters of diversity across races, cultures, sexual orientations, abilities, and more. Students, faculty, staff, and members of our community have enjoyed such guests as actor Lea DeLaria from Orange is the New Black, best-selling author Wes Moore, and Queen Noor of Jordan. Peruse our cultural enrichment calendar for upcoming events.
Learn more about High Point University’s commitment to Diversity, Equality and Inclusion.