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 on Minority Student Conditions, along with several student leaders, worked to establish an office committed to assisting all students 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 in fully participating in leadership development opportunities and be academically successful.

– First Minority Freshman Orientation, formally named Excellence uniting Culture Education and Leadership (ExCEL), was held. This initiative originated in 1984. ExCEL would become the first sponsored-level student organization.

– The Multicultural Services Office was housed on the first floor of Bizzell Hall.  A Coordinator and two support staff were hired

1988 – Students hosted the first Southwestern Black Student Leadership Conference (SBSLC), which would not only become sponsored-level student organization, but also the largest student-run conference of its caliber in the country

1989 – Center achieved department status on December 1^st, became known as the Department of Multicultural Services, and Mr. Kevin Carreathers was named the first director.

– The Drive In For Diversity Conference was developed and renamed in 1995 to the Texas Higher Education Diversity Conference (THEDC) (discontinued in 2005)

– University Awareness for Cultural Togetherness (U-ACT) was founded (renamed Aggies to Aggies in 2009)

1990 – Minority Enrichment and Development through Academic & Leadership Skills (MEDALS) launched as part of SBSLC, recognized as a sponsored student organization and the largest student-run college exposure and outreach experience for high school students.  MEDALS, renamed Maximizing Educational Development through Academic & Leadership Skills in 2003, would impact over 12,500 high school students and over 1,500 high school counselors and parents across 24 years before financial sustainability issues became insurmountable.  MEDALS was discontinued in 2014.

– The Department moved from Bizzell Hall to Room 147 Memorial Student Center.

1991 – Hispanic Presidents’ Council (HPC) student organization was founded and recognized.

1992 – Native American Student Association (NASA) was established (discontinued from affiliation in 2003)

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 – Diversity Training Institute (DTI) was developed (discontinued in 2015)

 -Voices of the Civil Rights Movement Course & Tour was developed (discontinued in 2004)

– Enhanced the retention function of the development with a credited seminar focusing on study skills and cultural identity called ExCEL Seminar (discontinued in 2005).

1996 – Changes in state law broadened the mission and delivery of department programs and services.

– ExCEL, a recognized student organization, named as a campus bus route.

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 – Asian Presidents’ Council (APC) was founded

– 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.

2001 – Asian American Association (AAA) discontinued from sponsorship (originally founded as a Texas A&M organization in 1984).

 – Vietnamese American Student Association (VASA) discontinued from sponsorship.

2002 – Department mission were seamlessly redefined

 – African American Student Leadership Institute (AASLI) was developed (discontinued in 2015)

2003 – Institute for Development and Education of Asian American Leaders (IDEAAL) was founded and recognized.

– Encouraging Respect, Acceptance and Support through Education (E “RA’S”E) was developed (DMS discontinued collaboration in 2007 and transferred oversight to Residence Life)

2005 – Black Student Alliance Council (BSAC) was founded and recognized.

– Culture Leadership Understanding and Exploration for Scholars Learning Community for Sophomores (CLUES) was developed.

2006 – Community of Respect Program was created in 2006 with the department charged with lead responsibility to launch by 2008

2007 – National search resulted in C.J. Woods being named the third director

 – African American Male Collective was developed (renamed Aggie Black Male Connection in 2010)

2007 – Developed and defined a two-functional area structure, including staff teams

 – The first Fusion Fiesta was 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

 – A certificate program was developed.

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.

2013 – Latino Males United (LMU) was founded.

2015 – National search resulted in Dr. Tonya Driver being named the fifth director

2016 – Race, Identity, and Social Equity (RISE) Initiative was developed (discontinued in 2022)

– The Courageous Conversations series was founded.

2018 – Latino Logradores (LatiLo) was founded and recognized.

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.

2022 –  Office space was reopened from a renovation and expansion to further student engagement and development.

2024 – As a result of ongoing leadership discussions beginning in 2018 as the department planned for the 30th anniversary and the writing and preliminary findings of the department’s fall 2024 self study, the decision was made to shift to a unit name that captured all the department entails related to transition support and the engagement of students within the campus community – Transition & Community Engagement.  To support maintaining the department’s legacy and student authored acronym, the department looked to the current tagline and guiding principles that inform it’s holistic approach – Development of competencies. Meaningful connections. Success of students.

– Department celebrated 35 years with an anniversary event.

* Special acknowledgment of the contributions of Dr. Rodney McClendon, Dr. Anne Reber, and Dr. Vanessa Diaz de Rodriguez as interim directors