Division of Institutional Diversity

Welcome to the Division of Institutional Diversity!

The Division of Institutional Diversity coordinates facilities at Minnesota State University, Mankato to meet the needs of students developing in a multicultural society and provides direct services to underrepresented students, faculty, and staff including assisting students in financial aid concerns, housing, tutoring, social-cultural isolation issues, personal counseling, etc.

Background of Institutional Diversity:

Prior to the merger of the state colleges and universities to the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU), in 1988 the Minnesota State University System Board established cultural diversity initiative to attract and retain minority students, faculty and staff and to develop cultural programs and events designed to assist in the retention of faculty and students from underrepresented groups. That original commitment has been continued by the MnSCU. Recognizing that society has become interdependent and pluralistic, Minnesota State University, Mankato embraces the following goals:

1. To increase the enrollment of underrepresented groups by eight percent of the total student population by 2008.
2. To increase graduation rates for students of color to the same as other students.
3. To promote the positive dynamics of minority experiences across the curriculum by having all departments review courses offering cultural diversity content by the 2004-2005 academic year.
4. To increase overall attention to cultural diversity on the campus and within the Mankato community by hosting four ethnic conferences, celebrating ethnic holidays and partnering with community ethnic agencies to promote diversity.
5. To increase the number of faculty and staff of color to reflect the percent of minorities at large within the state of Minnesota.

At Minnesota State Mankato, the primary goal of the Division of Institutional Diversity is to create and maintain an environment that promotes cross-cultural understanding and appreciation for all members of the university community. In essence, it is expected that Minnesota State Mankato programs will foster an environment where cultural differences are not only accepted, but where the concepts of differences in a pluralistic society are celebrated.

With Minnesota State Mankato's history of involvement in multicultural education, the root of support for the cultural diversity initiative has been firmly planted. The Institutional Diversity Program enjoys a long history since 1970 of providing and or supporting academic and social-cultural programs to reflect the lifestyles of diverse groups for the total University community and its service region. The evolution of Ethnic Studies finds its origin in the current Office of Institutional Diversity. The first minor offered was African American Studies in 1972, followed by a minor in American Indian Studies in 1973, and followed by Hispanic and Asian American Studies. A minor and major in Minority Studies was developed in 1975 and a graduate program has also been developed. Highlighting academic and social-cultural programs are major conferences, symposiums and special cultural events.

[PDF] Institutional Diversity Annual Report 2006-2007 (771 KiB)