The Cross-Cultural Center (CCC) was founded on October 16, 1974 by a group of UCI faculty, staff, and students who saw the need for a social-cultural support system for ethnic minority students. UCI became the first UC campus to establish a multicultural center. The stated purpose of the center was:

“To create Third World interaction, student outreach, and provide necessary information to the minority community on campus.”

Dr. Larry Onoda, a psychologist from the Counseling Center, served as the first director. The CCC was originally located in a 1,800 sq ft temporary building across from the School of Humanities. Known affectionately as “the Cross,” the center launched programs and services for underrepresented students.

In 1976, the CCC dedicated its first mural, created by UCI students under Studio Art lecturer Manuel Hernandez. It depicts prominent historical figures who were voices for equality and justice. It also portrays significant events in the annals of California’s minority communities.

In 1993, muralist Judy Baca led students in creating a mural for the Ring Room. Commissioned by the National Institute of Mental Health for the National Conference on Refugee Services, and undertaken as a mural class project by UCI students, this mural depicts the silent suffering of Asian/Vietnamese and Latino/Central American refugee communities.

In 2011–2012, in response to severe budget cuts across California due to a national economic crisis, students created the CCC’s third mural to express the importance of educational access, student voice, and resilience. Though untitled, the mural was a powerful outlet for students to share their values and perspectives during a time when their education felt threatened. It was led by graduate student Yaron Hakim and alumna Edwina Dai (both from UCI’s Department of Studio Arts) and now hangs near the Dr. Joseph L. White Room.

Launched in 1984, the Rainbow Festival (now the Community Roots Festival) became a signature celebration of cultural and ethnic diversity at UCI.

The first theme: “Many Faces, Many Dreams.”

Held each fall, the Community Roots Festival (CRF) continues to inspire community celebration and cultural education.

In April 1989, the CCC opened a new 3,400 sq ft space across from Aldrich Hall. The updated center included a lounge, student offices, a library, workroom, and two conference rooms.

The 1976 mural was preserved and now hangs in the lounge — symbolizing the continuity of the CCC’s legacy.

In the spring of 1991, a coalition of student organizations within the Cross-Cultural Center formed E.S.C.A.P.E. — the Ethnic Students Coalition Against Prejudicial Education. They aimed to challenge the Eurocentric curriculum and push for the development of ethnic studies programs at UCI that reflected the histories and lived experiences of students of Color.

All five CCC umbrella orgs unified in this effort, organizing a series of teach-ins, protests, and large-scale rallies to generate awareness and pressure administration to act. Their demands included hiring faculty of Color, creating new ethnic studies departments, and increasing support for identity-based student services.

In 1993, UCI’s Asian American students escalated the movement by launching a 35-day rotational hunger strike — one of the longest student-led protests in UCI’s history. Their demands were clear:

• “Hire more tenured Asian American faculty to strengthen the Asian American Studies program”
• “Add a new staff position to support the growing needs of the CCC”

The strike garnered local and national media coverage and galvanized the Asian American community on campus.

These efforts not only expanded academic representation, but also reaffirmed the CCC’s role as a hub for student activism, coalition-building, and transformative leadership.

Five student umbrella organizations continue to be recognized by the Cross-Cultural Center as founders of the CCC:

In response to the growth of underrepresented populations and the overall diversity of the campus, the Cross-Cultural Center continues to evolve and expand its programming to address the issues and perspectives relative to these changes.

At its core, the Cross-Cultural Center endeavors to promote the education and celebration of a “multicultural sensibility” as we evolve within a global world.

In 2024, the Cross-Cultural Center celebrated its 50th anniversary with a celebration attended by students, staff, faculty, administrators, and alumni. The Cross continues its commitment to social justice and create programming that educates students and focus on life-long learning.