On this page, you can find all the wonderful resources and organizations that MSU offers Chicanx/Latinx students! The college experience can be overwhelming, but with these organizations and programs, Chicanx/Latinx students have the tools to thrive while at MSU. These programs help incoming students with academic transitions, financial assistance, and finding internships or study abroad programs. As you become a Spartan, we encourage you to join student organizations that show Chicanx/Latinx pride.
Below, you will find two sections. The first highlights helpful student serving units. The second section provides answers to common questions Latinx students might have in trying to access resources.
OCAT (Office of Cultural & Academic Transitions) (Student Services Building)
CRU (Culturas de las Razas Unidas) (Wilson)
Detroit M.A.D.E. Scholars Program (Bessey)
Telamon (Holden)
NMSI (The National Migrant Scholars Internship) (Holden)
JSRI (Julian Samora Research Insitute) (Kellogg Center)
Financial Aid (Student Services Building)
ASMSU (Associated Students of Michigan State University) (Student Services Building)
Students should always see their major or exploratory adviser, but we also suggest going to Neighborhood Student Success Collaborative. NSSC has a number of resources including, TRIO Student Support Services.
The TRIO Student Support Services was founded for first-generation students. This program helps those who are of a certain income level, as well as students with documented disabilities. This program exists to help provide resources for first-generation students, as well as to help facilitate the needs of those students and help them succeed.
Counseling and Psychriatic Services
Mental health is really important! Prioritize your wellbeing with CAPS. They combine the clinical services of counseling and psychiatry in one setting on a wide variety of issues.
As of May 2023, there are two CAPS counselors who speak Spanish.
Motivational speaker Dr. Eric Thomas has powerful messages discussing different topics on Mondays throughout the academic year typically at Erickson Kiva. For more information on dates stay updated with OCAT's instagram page @ocatmsu.
MAGIC Program (Maximizing Academic Growth in College)
A great summer opportunity for newly admitted MSU students to create bonds with other students, mentors, and faculty, learn more about campus, and learn helpful tips on how to navigate college life.
Latinos Unidos Male Success Initiative
Mentoring initiative which cultivates an engaged support system for Latino males during their undergraduate experience at Michigan State University.
Latinx Student Mentoring Program
Mentoring is key to success in college and beyond. OCAT provides a Latinx-specific approach for this. Students can find a mentor in a peer, faculty, or staff.
Mentors who speak Spanish are available.
We suggest taking classes in the CLS program. CLS 201 is a great way to get acquainted with the formal study of Latinxs and the ways that Latinx studies can augment your academic career. It's also a great way to meet other Latinx students.
MSU has a number of ways to get experience with research and internships that are tailored to what you are looking for.
Please check out the following:
Julian Samora Research Institute
Spanish-speaking staff work in this unit.
Spanish-speaking staff work in this unit.
Institute for Public Policy and Social Research (IPPSR)
UURAF (University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum)
Neighborhood Student Success Collaborative
Spanish-speaking staff work in this unit.
We have several annual events that bring the Latinx community across campus together. We encourage you to check out these websites to find the current dates for these celebrations.
This event is held annually for incoming, transfer, and returning Latinx students to help network, increase student involvement on campus, and share resources to help them achieve academic success. This year it will be held on August, 31, 2023 at MSU Summer Circle Theatre.
Sparticipation is an event with 500+ student organizations and campus partners sharing ways to get students involved and resources available to them. There’s also performances, music and free food!
Spartan Remix is MSU’s Annual Multicultural Welcome Festival that takes place each fall on the Thursday after Labor Day. This unique event is a celebration of art, music, and culture where diverse communities come together in celebration, education and pride of their communities. This year it will be held on September 7, 2023 at Munn Field.
Día de la Mujer Annual Conference
This annual conference centers Latinas and the many social issues they face as well as their accomplishments. This is usually held in the beginning of April.
This is a cultural celebration with performances from many Latinx RSOs. It is usually held in September-October during Hispanic Heritage Month.
This is a series that takes place through OCAT and they hold different events during the spring time to facilitate community building and motivation to students.
Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta celebration
This is a week long celebration of Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta's work with the United Farm Workers. It is usually held at the end of March.
This is a celebration of all the year's graduates. It is usually held during the last week of April.