One year after its ribbon cutting, Michigan State University’s Multicultural Center, or MCC, has become one of the most active, dynamic and widely shared spaces on campus — alive with conversation, celebration, reflection and care.
Operated by the Office of Multicultural Enrichment and Advocacy, or OMEA, the center has hosted more than 1,700 programs, meetings and study reservations, drawing students, staff, faculty and community members. On any given day, the space shifts seamlessly from a quiet study hub to a rehearsal space, from a keynote venue to a resource fair, reflecting the center’s core purpose as an accessible place where all are welcome.
“Having a physical space on the Red Cedar River, a space where our ancestors lived and gathered for generations before MSU was even a thought, where we can gather today in ceremony to reflect on our connections to each other and to this land is incredibly powerful,” says Kristin Arola, director of American Indian and Indigenous Studies.
From large-scale cultural celebrations to intimate moments of dialogue and remembrance, the Multicultural Center has supported programming that spans the full rhythm of campus life. Juneteenth celebrations brought together music, storytelling and intergenerational connection. Transgender Day of Remembrance created space for collective mourning and solidarity. North American Indigenous programs, such as the fire circle ceremony, centered on Indigenous knowledge and contemporary experiences, and a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Celebration panel invited reflection on advocacy, justice and responsibility today.
“There were many new events at the MCC this year, but there were also some longstanding events that found a new home here. So, I like to believe that this was the vision that our community had for this space,” said OMEA Director Samuel Saldívar. “A mix of historical experiences for which visitors can learn, but also of new experiences that can be explored. It’s all very enriching.”
The center also has embraced traditions rooted in community memory and joy. A shared Día de los Muertos community ofrenda invited participants to honor loved ones and ancestors together. Noche Caribeña filled the space with Afro-Caribbean music, movement and storytelling, transforming the center into a vibrant classroom of culture and identity.
According to Culturas de las Razas Unidas Vice President Elena Sweeney, “The goal of the event was to connect students from across campus and create a space to appreciate and center Caribbean culture.”
During Women’s History Month, a keynote address featuring Heather Ana Hathaway Miranda brought students and campus partners together to reflect on leadership, resilience and intersectional experiences.
Beyond signature events, the Multicultural Center has become a trusted gathering place for community well-being. Whether connecting over food and conversation or accessing free flu vaccinations, the center has been a critical hub for resources for many students.
The space also has held moments of recognition and transition. Community members gathered to celebrate Lee June’s retirement, honoring years of mentorship and impact, and to mark the 10-year anniversary of the Diversity Research Network, reflecting on a decade of scholarship, collaboration and progress.
The Multicultural Center’s success is grounded in the day-to-day work of OMEA staff who manage an exceptionally busy calendar with care and intention as they coordinate logistics, support student leaders and ensure the space remains welcoming, accessible and responsive to community needs.
One year in, the Multicultural Center is more than a building. It is a living, shared space shaped by the people who gather there. From events to resources, from joy to reflection, the center continues to grow as a cornerstone of connection at MSU.
The campus community and members of the public are invited to join OMEA on Feb. 11 from 7 to 9 p.m. to explore and celebrate one year of this historic venue at the heart of campus. Stop by, connect, celebrate culture and build community together. Light bites and beverages will be provided.
