An overview of offices and units on campus that serve students from diverse and intersecting identities.
Offices Open to All Students
Multicultural Student Engagement (MCSE)
MCSE provides diverse opportunities to all students to increase awareness, understanding, and an appreciation for cultural differences, social justice, and intersectionality. MCSE promotes leadership development, student success, and retention through engaging educational programs.
Office for Equity and Diversity (OED)
OED aims to increase access to higher education by advocating for members of our community (faculty, staff, students, and administrators) and emphasizing the importance of diversity in promoting learning and development at the University of Minnesota. OED houses a number of offices with an equity and diversity focus. It provides education, programs, and initiatives to drive equity and diversity efforts across campus.
Disability Resource Center (DRC)
DRC serves as a central resource for students, faculty, and staff to collaboratively address barriers to access on our campus. The Student Access team works with students to identify barriers and, in collaboration with faculty and staff, determine reasonable accommodations to reduce them.
Women’s Center
The Women's Center advances gender equity across identities. Serving students, staff, and faculty of all genders, we advance an empowering intellectual environment, educate and inspire bold feminist leaders, and advocate for an equitable University culture and world.
Gender and Sexuality Center for Queer and Trans Life (GSC)
GSC is the University of Minnesota’s LGBTQIA+ campus resource center. GSC coordinates programs, services, and resources that uplift intersectional LGBTQIA+ realities and lived experiences.
International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS)
ISSS offers advising to international students and scholars about academic, personal, legal, and family matters. The office also coordinates several programs where international and domestic students can make new friends and gain leadership experience while learning about other cultures and nationalities.
Asian Pacific American Resource Center (APARC)
APARC is a community committed to affirming the experiences of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) students and their diverse communities. APARC supports students to thrive in college, develop leadership skills, participate in professional development activities, and connect with other AAPI students, while centering their AAPI identity.
Circle of Indigenous Nations (COIN)
COIN recruits, retains, and graduates American Indian/First Nations/Alaskan Native students by promoting cultural values that help indigenous students succeed personally, academically, and professionally. COIN strives to bridge the richness of the surrounding American Indian communities with the strengths of the University’s research, education, and teaching.
Student Parent Help Center (SPHC)
SPHC assists students with children by helping them overcome the specific challenges they typically face as they enter the University. The SPHC is also the primary entry and screening point for the Post Secondary Child Care Grant, a significant source of child care assistance for Minnesota State Grant eligible students with children, as well as the newer University Student Service Fees Child Care Assistance Grant.
University Veterans Services
University Veterans Services is a resource for student veterans, service members, and their families.
Programs for Pre-Selected Students
President’s Emerging Scholars (PES)
PES is an educational opportunity program that supports high-achieving, historically underserved students pre-selected based on holistic review by the Office of Admissions. Many PES students are the first in their family to attend college, Pell Grant recipients, indigenous students, and students of color.
TRIO Student Support Services (TRIO SSS)
TRIO SSS selects 75 new incoming students each fall to participate in a multidimensional program that provides a variety of comprehensive and supplemental academic and educational support. TRIO SSS provides advising, financial aid counseling, personal support, and help with academic planning, major, and career exploration for low- to moderate-income, first-generation, and special-needs students.