The Adams Intercultural Center is a welcoming space that fosters an environment where students find support and grounding for their personal growth, academic success and the development of their leadership skills. Our programs and collaborative initiatives broaden cross-cultural understanding, foster an appreciation of diversity, inclusion and social justice, and strengthen community bonds.
the rev. dr. alger l. adams
The Rev. Dr. Alger Leroy Adams '32, D.D.'83, the first African-American graduate of Hobart College, rose above major societal obstacles to attend and excel at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. The Center is named in his honor to ensure that his life and legacy will be celebrated for years to come.
Who We Are
Renée Grant AVP, Intercultural Affairs and Programs; Director of HEOP
Renée R. Grant serves as the Assistant Vice President of Intercultural Affairs and Programs. Grant joined HWS in 2016, serving in roles in the Office of Campus Life and Intercultural Affairs. For four years, she held the Director of Opportunity Programs role. As the Assistant Vice President, Grant will continue her work as Deputy Title IX Coordinator, as a member of the CARE Team and coordinator for the Posse program.
René Guo Director of Intercultural Programs and Initiatives
René Guo joined the HWS community in 2024 as the Director of Intercultural Programs and Initiatives within the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. René received their BA from Denison University and Master of Divinity from Yale University. Leading programs at both the Adams Intercultural Center and the LGBTQ+ Resource Center (RC), René brings an intersectional approach to these two centers by building intentional collaborative programming to reduce siloing and address the diverse needs of HWS students, staff, and faculty.
Amarya is a graduate student in the Masters of Higher Education Leadership program at HWS. She works as a Graduate Assistant for the Adams Intercultural Center - running programs, planning events, and hosting the Intercultural Club Caucus. Before coming to HWS, Amarya received a Bachelor of Science in Animal Biotechnology and Conservation. She then worked in student engagement at Brown University for three years, overseeing campus clubs. Following that, she spent a year working with an animal nonprofit and three years in higher education working in a mental health facility. She is excited to be working at HWS and is here to support students with whatever they need.
Gabriel Suarez ’24, MHEL ‘26 (he/him) Graduate Assistant
Gabriel graduated from Hobart William Smith in 2024 with a degree in History and a minor in Latin American Studies. As an undergraduate student, Gabriel was a part of the 2020 HEOP cohort and worked in multiple elementary schools in the Geneva community. At the AIC, Gabriel helps oversee the building, plans and schedules events, helps with Club Caucus, and assists in creating and promoting events at the Adams Intercultural Center.
JACK BJORKANDER MHEL ‘26 (THEY/THEM) Graduate Assistant
Jack joined the HWS community in 2024 as a graduate student in the Masters in Higher Education Leadership program. Their role includes programming, student support, and community building. Jack was born and raised in rural New York and is a graduate of Wells College and University of Oklahoma with focuses on History and Global Affairs. They come with experience from their time as Coordinator of Residence Life and Service Learning at Wells College. Jack is excited to work with the campus community to continue to build an inclusive space for everyone.
the adams Intercultural center News
Belonging-Diversity-&-EquityMeet the AIC Graduate Student Assistants
Two students in the Master of Arts in Higher Education Leadership program have graduate assistantships in the Adams Intercultural Center.
For Rafael Rodriguez ’07, the Alger Adams ’32 Intercultural Center at HWS (or the IC, as it’s commonly known on campus) was an essential part of his college experience, his “home away from home.”
AlumsAnnouncing the Alger Adams '32 Intercultural Center
Thanks to Chair of the Board of Trustees Craig Stine ’81, P’17 and his wife, Kathy, the Colleges’ new Intercultural Center will bear the name of the Rev. Dr. Alger L. Adams ’32, the first Black man to graduate from Hobart College.
