History of the Department
The Multicultural Services Center was created and opened its doors in September 1987 as an office within the Department of Student Activities. The Center achieved department status on December 1, 1989, becoming known as the Department of Multicultural Services, established an office committed to assisting the student experience on the Texas A&M campus.
In its early years, the Department efforts focused on developing programs and services that provide students the opportunity to fully participate in leadership development opportunities and be successful academically.
Contextual History of DMS
1986 – Texas A&M University’s Division of Student Services Standing Committee, along with several student leaders, worked to establish an office committed to assisting all students in being successful on the Texas A&M campus.
1987 – Multicultural Services Center was created and opened in September, as an office within the Department of Student Activities. The focus was on developing programs and services to assist students across all experiences, norms, values, attitudes, and behaviors in fully participating in leadership development opportunities and be academically successful.
– The Multicultural Services Office was housed on the first floor of Bizzell Hall. A Coordinator and two support staff were hired.
1989 – Center achieved department status on December 1st, became known as the Department of Multicultural Services, and Mr. Kevin Carreathers was named the first director.
1990 – The Department moved from Bizzell Hall to Room 147 Memorial Student Center.
1993 – An expanded mission for the Department became formalized because both the Division of Student Affairs and the Department of Multicultural Services felt that a peer-based approach had significant merit.
– The first Whoopstock Unity Festival was held (discontinued in 2007)
1994 – Acquired Room 137 of the Memorial Student Center which became the main office for the Department.
1995 – Enhanced the retention function of the department with a credit-bearing freshman seminar focusing on study skills and culture (discontinued in 2005).
1996 – Changes in state law broadened the mission and delivery of department programs and services.
1997 – The department grew to a full-time staff of 12.
1998 – Dr. Felicia Scott named the second director
– The department acquired duplicated efforts from the Department of Residence Life. Further, staff revised approaches to a model of social responsibility.
– Room 026 of the Memorial Student Center is acquired for student study and workspace.
2000 – Renovations to Room 147 of the Memorial Student Center, expanded space for a resource library, staff offices and student organization workspace. Room 026 is converted to the department’s first conference room.
2002 – Department mission was seamlessly redefined and students began referring to it by the acronym DMS.
2005 – Culture Leadership Understanding and Exploration for Scholars Learning Community for Sophomores (CLUES) credit-bearing course was developed.
2007 – National search resulted in C.J. Woods being named the third director
2007 – Developed and defined a two-functional area structure, including staff teams
– The first Fusion Fiesta and DMS Welcome Social were hosted.
2008 – Relocated to new space in response to a student, faculty and staff campaign for more visible and prominent space
2010 – Ms. Jennifer Ford was named the fourth director
2012 – Department returned to the Memorial Student Center following a temporary move to the Koldus Building. The renovated space incorporated a design to maintain visibility, provide student meeting spaces and maximize space for student connections.
2015 – National search resulted in Dr. Tonya Driver being named the fifth director
2019 – Department celebrated 30 years with an Anniversary Gala and DMS Awards of Distinction to acknowledge former students who have contributed to student development and success, advanced student support and mentoring, and exceeded others in providing leadership and service that enriched the lives of students during their time at Texas A&M University.
2020 – Department was granted funds to launch a renovation and expansion project to address compression and advance student engagement.
2022 – Office space was reopened from a renovation and expansion to further student engagement and development.
2024 – Department celebrated 35 years with an anniversary event.
2025 – As a result of ongoing leadership discussions dating back to 2018 when the department planned for the 30th anniversary and the writing and preliminary findings of the department’s fall 2024 self study, a brand architecture strategy was implemented to better communicate all the department entails related to connection, transition support and the development of students within the campus community. The department looked to its current tagline and guiding principles that inform it’s holistic approach to support maintaining the department’s legacy and student authored acronym, – Development of competencies. Meaningful connections. Success of students.
* Special acknowledgment of the contributions of Dr. Rodney McClendon, Dr. Anne Reber, and Dr. Vanessa Diaz de Rodriguez as interim directors
