Montana State is committed to recruiting, promoting the success of, and fostering a sense of security and belonging for a diverse community of students, faculty and staff. We know that students experience stronger learning outcomes when they are taught by faculty with diverse perspectives and experiences. Units across the university have developed intentional approaches to ensuring that students, faculty, and staff from historically underrepresented groups find equal access to the university and are prepared for success. This year several new student organizations were created to support students with underrepresented identities, and efforts continued to help students find success at MSU.

DISC Ski Day

Research shows students of color, low-income students, students with differing physical abilities, and LGBTQ students are less likely to participate in outdoor sports. In partnership with Big Sky Resort, DISC, Outdoor Recreation and TRIO empowered students to experience the Big Sky country’s great outdoors and beauty.

First Generation Student Association

In 2023, the First-Generation Student Association was established to support first-generation graduate and undergraduate students. The group offers opportunities, resources, and a welcoming environment to help other first-gen students achieve their goals.

Native Student Preview Day

American Indian/Alaska Native Success hosted 39 students in January during its Native Student Preview Day. The day included tours, sample classes, and a showcase of MSU resources. John Herrington, the first Native American astronaut in space, spoke to current and prospective students.

Asian Multicultural Night

The Asian Student Interracial Association (ASIA) hosted MSU’s first annual Asian Multicultural Night in April. The evening included presentations, activities, performances, and a dinner, all reflecting the cultures of different East, South-East, South, and West Asian nations.

Seventh Generation

Named for the seventh-generation principle—an Indigenous philosophy that the decisions made today should honor the sacrifices of the previous seven generations and to consider the next seven generations—the American Indian Seventh Generation Presidential Scholarship supported five scholars in the Honors College this year.

 

88%

increase in number of MSU students who identify as Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander in the past 10 years.


5.5%

percent of MSU students identify as Hispanic or Latino, compared to 4.3% of the Montana statewide population. In 2013, 3% of MSU students identified as Hispanic or Latino, reflecting an 88% increase in this demographic over the past 10 years.


19

students with intellectual or developmental disabilities are enrolled in the “Learning Is for Everyone (LIFE)” Scholars program through the College of Education, Health, and Human Development. This year, the program graduated 6 students, its largest class since the program began in 2018.