Mississippi State University’s Student Association’s Diversity Committee hosted a Diversity Mixer Tuesday in the Dawghouse. With the goal of spreading diversity on campus between the international students and students from the United States, it came up with this idea. Starting the program with an icebreaker and a brief mingling session, were served refreshments, and the room was sectioned into groups. 
The small groups began by introducing themselves before heading into a question-and-answer portion with the group as a whole. The moderators posed questions about culture shocks and cultural differences between foods and customs and some similarities between countries.
Jhona Gipson, co director of the Diversity Committee said the event had an amazing turnout. 
“I really was surprised by the turnout because of such short notice on publicity, but this is definitely something we will do again. It really exceeded my expectations,” Gipson said.
According to the Diversity Committee, some of its missions are to bridge gaps between cultures and make people more comfortable with what they do not understand.
Wilburn Smith, Diversity committee member, said informing students and the community of various cultures is critical to community growth.
“We aim to make the community more diverse by starting on campus with these programs to get people to get to know one another,” Smith said.
Katja Walter, Germany native and co-director chair of the Diversity Committee, said international students desire to learn American culture, but with so many diverse cultures at MSU, being informed make it difficult to achieve being truly diverse.
“ One of our goals is to make MSU have a more unity feel.” 
SA’s Diversity Committee said it strives to give insight to different cultures through these interactive programs. 
According to Gipson, the goal is to expand the diversity program and create programs for minorities and the majority of all individuals not limited to a specific category.
Future plans for the Diversity Committee include a fashion show on Nov. 20 in the Junction on campus displaying different native attires of different cultures.