The Office of Multi-Ethinic Student Affairs and the William Monroe Trotter Multicultural Center’s mission and vision are in alignment with the Division of Student Affairs’ goals regarding student learning, diversity, community and life skills/wellness. MESA/TMC are active partners in the development of all students through addressing cross-cultural compentency and personal empowerment. Through our programs and services that foster community development, leadership, learning and a commitment to social justice, we endeavor to create a campus inclusive of all students.

MESA/TMC has the following six areas of work that are tailored to fit the needs of the student community. The MESA team works to balance the needs of both the individual population they serve and students’ needs across communities, as well as create partnerships that promote and embrace diversity. The vision of MESA/TMC includes the inplementation of a service plan to address multi-ethnic needs and issues that emerge in our campus community.

The William Monroe Trotter Multicultural Center officially opened its doors as a Black student cultural center in 1971. The desire for a place where U–M Black students, faculty and staff groups could hold meetings and cultural events grew out of the Black Action Movement (BAM) strike in the early 1970s.

Since its inception, the William Monroe Trotter Multicultural Center has continued to grow. In 1981, the focus of the Trotter Multicultural Center was expanded to become a student multicultural center.

Learn about the man behind the Trotter Multicultural Center legacy, William Monroe Trotter.