Student Resources
Northwestern is an inclusive and diverse community where students excel individually and collectively.
This is possible in part due to the efforts of Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA), a campus programming and resource office that supports and enhances Northwestern students' undergraduate experiences. MSA seeks to foster a learning environment that enriches the cultural, educational, professional, and social lives of students, providing opportunities for holistic development.
Some of the services MSA provides include:
- Community gathering spaces
- Individual appointments
- Student Group advisement
- Tutoring/academic support
- Cultural, social, professional, and academic programming
- Funding/financial support for student activities
- Meeting rooms, computer labs, free printing/copying
- Outreach across campus and in the community
- On-site faculty/staff office hours
- Summer Academic Workshop (SAW)
Hispanic/Latine Student Celebrations and Events
Latinx Heritage Month
During Latinx Heritage Month, the university community acknowledges this nationally recognized month. Although Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month is national celebrated beginning September 15th, Northwestern's celebration commences later in the year due to our academic calendar, which starts in late September. Latinx Heritage Month celebratory events begin in October and continue into early November with variety of programming including cultural shows, social gatherings, and educational speakers.
Bienvenida
Bienvenida is an event sponsored by Alianza – The Latinx Student Alliance and Multicultural Student Affairs, which features musical and dance performances from Northwestern student groups. The program also features cuisines from various Latin American countries. This event kicks off all Latinx Heritage Month Celebrations at Northwestern, giving students a chance to find community early in the academic year. It's an event you won't want to miss!
¡Día de los Muertos!
Multicultural Student Affairs observes this traditional holiday on November 2nd. By displaying an altar at the Multicultural Center and encouraging people to place items on the altar, the community honors departed family members or friends. The Multicultural Greek Council and Alianza also host events throughout the week to honor the message of this celebration. Sheil Catholic Center also offers a bilingual mass on the Sunday closest to November 2nd, where the significance of El Día de los Muertos is explained.
Comedy Beatdown
The Marcus Marinho Memorial Comedy Beatdown the Brazilian NU student who died in 1997 and for whom the show was created.
¡FUEGO!
¡FUEGO! is a yearly bonfire sponsored by ALIANZA which acts as a space for student groups with a focus on Hispanic and Latine community and culture to come together and kick off the spring quarter. This space has music and dancing and acts as an opportunity to get together after spring break.
Festival LatiNU
Festival LatiNU is an event sponsored by Alianza – The Hispanic/Latino Student Alliance and Hispanic/Latino Student Affairs, which features musical and dance performances from Northwestern student groups and Chicago area groups. The program also features cuisines from various Latin American countries. It's an event you won't want to miss!