Student-led 'Multicultural Mayhem' celebrates heritage, community and belonging

HERSHEY, Pa. — Penn State College of Medicine came alive with color and music as students, faculty and staff gathered for "Multicultural Mayhem" on Friday, Aug. 15, for an evening that showcased the rich cultural heritage and creative talent within the College community.

Now in its second year, Multicultural Mayhem drew more than 130 attendees and featured 30 performers representing a wide range of backgrounds and art forms. Organized by class of 2028 Diversity Chairs Loui Othman, Mmachi Okeke and Jaybee Diones, the program included spoken-word, live music, dance, martial arts, a fashion show highlighting attire from around the world and more.

The heart of the event, Othman explained, was creating an inclusive space where students could share and celebrate who they are. 

“We have such a diverse community at the College of Medicine and we wanted to highlight that in a way that was celebratory, not just symbolic,” Othman said. “By showcasing our own students and peers, we created a space where culture, pride and talent could shine.”

This year’s Multicultural Mayhem intentionally expanded beyond the medical degree program to welcome participants from the physician assistant, nursing and graduate programs, as well as faculty members. Organizers also broadened the international food offerings and increased student involvement, ensuring the evening reflected a wide range of traditions.

“I hope attendees walked away with a sense of connection and appreciation for the many cultures within our community,” said Diones. “Sharing my own culture has always made me feel closer to home, and I wanted to give everyone that same experience.”

Multicultural Mayhem was made possible through the support of the Office of Student Affairs and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Belonging, along with the Multicultural Awareness Club and the Class of 2028 Student Government.

That commitment from the College, Othman said, meant a great deal to those involved with the event.

“It shows us that the COM values not only diversity in numbers, but diversity in action, voice and celebration,” he said.

For Inginia Genao, vice dean of diversity, equity and belonging, the event reflects the college’s mission to foster an environment where everyone feels welcome and valued.

“When our students create opportunities like this, it brings our community together in powerful ways,” Genao said. “The Office of Diversity, Equity and Belonging is proud to support events that allow our learners to express themselves, share their cultures, and feel a genuine sense of belonging here at the College of Medicine.”

Looking ahead, Othman and Diones said they are excited to pass the Multicultural Mayhem torch to the Class of 2029, some of whom performed or modeled this year. They hope the event continues to grow, both in scale and impact.

“Multicultural Mayhem is about more than one night — it’s about building a tradition that represents who we are as a community,” Othman said. “We’re proud of what we built this year and excited to see how the next class carries it forward.”