Students continue to find growth and community through annual Nia Retreat

Emmanuel students have been joining the Center for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (CDEI) annually since 2007 to participate in the Nia Retreat, an off-campus community building event for students of color.

The retreat has come a long way since then with about six students and staff - now with as many as 30 or more students attending each year - but its premise has remained the same.

“It’s a great way for them to find their community and find a little bit more of themselves,” said Emmanuel’s Director of the CDEI and organizer of the Nia Retreat, Fillette Lovaincy. “We expect that you leave having learned something that adds to who you are.”

This year from October 18th to 20th, 36 students took part in the Nia Retreat in Cape Cod, where students built connections and community through team building activities like a low-ropes course, had discussions on supporting each other as allies, participated in wellness workshops with the College’s Counseling Center, and more. For students new to the retreat and those who are veterans, it provides a unique off-campus opportunity to connect with each other and grow personally.

A photo taken from the Nia Retreat back in 2014. Since 2007, the retreat has grown, often involving over 30 students in recent years.

“
The Nia Retreat is a transformational program that fosters connection, helping our students develop a true sense of belonging. Ms. Lovaincy’s work is invaluable to our institution, as are the CDEI programs that continue to create spaces for students and educators, where our goal is to awaken their souls to the richness and importance of our diversity and inclusion – that is recognized, celebrated and cherished."
Dr. Keith Lezama '07, Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion/Chief Diversity Officer

Zainab Dina ’26 has been attending the Nia Retreat since her freshman year. At Emmanuel, she said she was looking for people who look like her to identify with, and took the Nia Retreat as an opportunity to make friends and connect with other students of color.

Looking back on that first time, Dina said she surprised herself for doing it as a freshman who didn’t know anyone – but by going for it and being open, she got so much out of it – and the same can be the case for any first-time attendees who go into the retreat with an open mind. Ahead of this year’s retreat, she hoped to provide similar support to other students.

“That connection, love and support I felt [that year] – I want to give them that, whether they’re a freshman or even just first timers,” Dina said.

Students participate in professional development and reflection activities at the Nia Retreat, like journaling.

Anthony Jerrick ’28 was attracted to Emmanuel College by both its location and its close-knit community he saw on campus. From the beginning of his college journey, he said the CDEI has been incredibly welcoming, and he had been looking forward to the opportunity to meet even more students and make more connections on the Nia Retreat.

Students participate in a community building activity at the retreat.

Even as someone new there, he said he was able to make those strong connections through the variety of ice breakers and group activities. Jerrick said he really enjoyed working alongside his peers toward a common goal – and appreciated being in a different environment interacting with his fellow students, rather than just the classroom.

“In that new environment,” Jerrick said, “you’re really able to find your true self without any restraints.”

Arthur Langford ’25 said he felt that even as a first-time junior last year, where he strengthened existing relationships and made new friendships as well. Even though it can be scary to put yourself out there, he said, once you break the ice, it’s a reminder that we’re all just normal people.” It became clear to Langford very quickly, he added, that he was “worthy and accepted” amongst his fellow students at the Nia Retreat.

For her first time on the Nia Retreat as a junior, Monifer Solares ’26 was eager to be a part of it. As a commuter and someone who values building strong friendships and relationships with people, she was searching for that type of community in her college journey.

Activities like this one above, where students had to balance themselves, were an opportunity to work together towards a common goal.

“The trip made me appreciate my culture more than I already do, and I appreciated what others shared as well,” Solares said. Even with varying backgrounds, she added, there was still so much common ground between everyone, and she appreciated the value of forming a community of people of color through shared experiences.

Starting last year, Lovaincy and the CDEI began offering follow up Nia Retreat sessions to extend the conversations beyond just one weekend. Those check-ins, which are facilitated by Emmanuel staff members, typically happen monthly to make space to continue that personal growth that the NIA Retreat hopes to foster. They’re also open discussions – so even someone who hasn’t attended the Nia Retreat can join in on the discussion and community feel behind it.

And beyond the support for students, the Nia Retreat plays an important role for faculty and staff too, Lovaincy said, providing them a chance to extend their outreach and connect with more students.

It’s an opportunity for students to see people they can rely on campus, she added, “especially ones who need our support and someone to lean on.”