When will National Minority Serving Institutions Month be celebrated? The Month of April of each calendar year.
What is National Minority Serving Institutions Month? Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) Month celebrates the contributions of the more than 400 colleges and universities that serve Black, Hispanic, Native American & First People, and Asian American and Pacific Islander communities across the United States of America. Minority Serving Institutions (as described by the U.S. Department of Interior – Office of Civil Rights) are institutions of higher learning with significant enrollments of undergraduate minority students. MSIs include Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges & Universities (TCUs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), and Asian American and Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AAPISIs).
Why is this day being created? This day is being created because the contributions of MSIs are great yet their stories are not well known. Greater awareness needs to be brought to these incredible institutions that have educated so many. For example, over 80% of all Black people who hold a Ph.D. in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Computing (STEM+C) received their Bachelor’s degree from a Historically Black College & University (HBCU).
How should this day be observed? Minority Serving Institutions should be celebrated by talking about their history, their contributions, and featuring notable alumni/ae. Other organizations can celebrate by making donations/contributions to MSIs, featuring members of those organizations who are alumni/ae of MSIs, and promoting their commitment to supporting MSIs and their missions.
Who created this day? This day was created by Erich Thomas in 2022.