Signature Events and Campus Activities

Convocation: Roadrunner Rally

The official welcome for all new students and the start of their college career. This kick-off event serves as a “bookend” to each student’s academic journey, with Convocation: Roadrunner Rally as the opening ceremony and commencement as the final goal.

Welcome Weeks

Whether you are a new or returning student to MSU Denver, the start of a new semester is an exciting time on the Auraria Campus. Welcome Week festivities take place during the first week of each semester, and provide an opportunity to build Roadrunner pride, meet other students, and to get connected to various campus resources and programs. 

Meet the Greeks

Presented by Fraternity & Sorority Life

The Fraternity & Sorority Life community invites all students interested in a joining a Fraternity or Sorority to attend this kickoff event to Fall intake/recruitment. If you want to learn more about our historically Black, Latinx, White or Multicultural fraternities and sororities then plan to attend!  

Multicultural Student Welcome

Celebrate the rich culture and diversity of our MSU Denver community while engaging with different campus departments and organizations to familiarize incoming Roadrunners with our various resources and departments to make them feel welcome and excited about their college experience.

Latinx Heritage Month

(September 15 – October 15)

Latinx Heritage Month, federally designated as Hispanic Heritage Month in 1988, is observed from September 15th to October 15th by celebrating the rich historical and cultural legacies of individuals whose ancestors came from the Caribbean, Central and South America, Spain, and Mexico. The day of September 15th is significant because it marks the anniversary of independence for multiple Latin American countries. During this 30-day period, the Center for Multicultural Engagement and Inclusion (CMEI), Office of Diversity and Inclusion, and institutional partners host programs and events that highlight historical and contemporary contributions of the Latinx community to the fabric of our campus and society. The term “Latinx” relates to people of Latin American origin or descent and is used as a gender-neutral or non-binary alternative to Latina/o. That said, terms like “Hispanic” and “Latinx” are based in language that privileges non-indigenous and Black identities and center Eurocentric views of history. 

Auraria Festivals

Hosted annually at Auraria Campus, Fall Fest & Spring Fling are festivals that bring together the campus community. Student organizations and campus departments promote their organizations while nonprofit and for-profit vendors invite the campus community to learn more about the products and services they provide. Enjoy some of Denver’s best food trucks on campus, free entertainment and much more. 

Homecoming

The Office of Alumni Relations is connected with over 105,000 MSU Denver alumni. MSU Denver brings together alumni, family, and friends in a week long celebration of Homecoming athletic events, tailgating festivities, and networking opportunities. Bring your Roadrunner spirit and pride and join us in Homecoming activities!

The Auraria Campus hosted a tri-institutional Pow Wow following the Native and Indigenous Specialty Graduation Celebration in May 2022.

Native Indigenous Heritage Month

(November 1 – November 30)

MSU Denver resides on the ancestral lands of the Cheyenne, Arapaho, Sioux, and Ute people, all of whom still are in an ongoing relationship with this land. One of the ways we fight the erasure of Indigenous peoples is by recognizing the history that brought settlers, whether voluntary or formerly enslaved, to occupy this land. Here, that history is the Colorado Gold Rush of 1858 and 1859, where settlements like Auraria and Denver as well as other land grabs for gold mining that devastated the land and interrupted Ute and Cheyenne ways of living.

In recognition of Native Indigenous Heritage Month in November, the Native Student Alliance in partnership with locally based organizations and the Center for Multicultural Engagement (CMEI) and Inclusion host a variety of events year-round to educate the campus on issues that are pertinent to the Native Indigenous communities. It is especially important to understand that Native Indigenous communities still exist and with your support, their voices can be centered and heard. Join us, to dispel preconceived notions of indigeneity, to better understand indigenous intersectional identities, and learn more about Native Indigenous achievements and identity affirmation.

National First-Generation Celebration Week

National First-Generation Celebration Week is a time for MSU Denver to celebrate our trailblazing students. First-Generation students are not only the first in their families to earn a bachelor’s degree but are strong, powerful, and resilient leaders. First-Generation students are dedicated to pursuing their academic goals, and we are proud of all they have accomplished.

Black History Month

(February 1 – March 1)

Black History Month observed in February is an opportunity to honor the accomplishments and recognizes the struggles of Black folx in every area of history which is far often undervalued. The Center for Multicultural Engagement and Inclusion (CMEI) in conjunction with the Africana Studies Department and various tri-institutional offices host a variety of events to engage our community, honor historical and contemporary accomplishments of Black folx, and amplify the voices and actions of those who continue to fight the roots of social injustices that Black folx face. In an effort to develop cultural competence and work towards representation for Black folx, while emphasizing that Black Lives Matter, we encourage all people from the community to attend our events and to engage in reflection, celebration, and open dialogue during this month.

Fraternity & Sorority Life Yard Show

Presented by the Multicultural Greek Council (MGC)

The Annual Fraternity & Sorority Life (FSL) Yard Show is a signature event that allows the campus to be educated on the roots and significance of the cultural expressions of stepping, strolling and saluting through performances. The Yard Show also shows the diversity within the FSL community at MSU Denver and across the state of Colorado. The FSL community at MSU Denver is made up of majorly culturally based Greek Letter Organizations promoting Black, Latinx and other multicultural communities.

Women’s History Month

(March 1 – March 31)

Every March, the Center for Multicultural Engagement and Inclusion (CMEI) and institutional partners commemorate Women’s History Month. What began simply as a Women’s History Week in the United States has evolved into an entire month full of celebration, education, and commemoration of women who come before us. The CMEI celebrates this month with all who identify as women including, but not limited to women of color, trans-women, queer women, and all other marginalized groups of women. On March 8th, we also recognize International Women’s Day. Through programming and events with our partners, the CMEI highlights and amplifies the voices of women who are continuing to create change as well as champion for the women on the MSU Denver campus.

Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi American Heritage Month

(May 1 – May 31) Celebrated in April by the CMEI due to Academic Schedule

Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Heritage Month occurs every year during the month of May to celebrate, uplift, and educate others about the complex history and identities of those in the APIDA community. Due to the nature of our academic schedule, the Center for Multicultural Engagement and Inclusion (CMEI) recognizes APIDA History Month during the month of April. The CMEI and our institutional partners collaborate every year to create programming surrounding the experiences and issues of the APIDA community. Through our events, we celebrate the vast diversity within the APIDA identity and bring to light issues that our community is experiencing in order to grow and heal.

Student Involvement and Leadership Awards

The annual Student Involvement and Leadership Awards (SILA) sponsored by the Center for Multicultural Engagement and Inclusion (CMEI) recognizes our students for their leadership, academic performance, and social change contributions through: Student Organizations, Fraternity and Sorority Life, First-Generation Initiatives, Equity Programming, Roadrunners Athletics, and Overall Leadership. Each year, students and groups are recognized for their outstanding contributions to MSU Denver.