Mission

The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA) supports and empowers Iowa State University's students who self-identify as African American, Asian, Pacific Islander, Desi American, Latinx, Native American/Alaskan Native or Multiracial, and advocates for their holistic development across the University. MSA will provide space and opportunity for all Iowa State University's students to connect culturally and develop community.

History

The Office of Minority Student Programs was organized at Iowa State University in 1973. In 1978, the name was changed to the Office of Minority Student Affairs and renamed the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs in 2004. The Multicultural Student Affairs Office offers a number of programs for incoming and current multicultural students at Iowa State. The Academic Program for Excellence (APEX) is a summer program designed to help incoming multicultural students prepare for college academics, the Carver Academy offers guidance and enrichment opportunities to its members, and the ISCORE (Iowa State Conference on Race and Ethnicity) project allows students to participate in seminars, workshops, and conferences focusing on racial and ethnicity issues. The Multicultural Student Affairs Office also provides support to multicultural students through leadership and job opportunities, scholarships, academic support services, and cultural centers, such as the Black Cultural Center and the Multicultural Center.