Multicultural Student Services strives to be an integral part of the University community providing advocacy and mentorship to students from historically under-represented populations and fostering a campus climate that recognizes, appreciates, celebrates, and shares a mutual understanding and respect for all cultures. The office plans and implements educational and cultural programs to promote awareness and provides opportunities for cross-cultural interactions and exchange through a variety of departments, clubs, and organizations.

The name changed to Multicultural Students Services from Multicultural Center/Office of Muliticultural Affairs in 2003. The Multicultural Center opened in October 1986 in a suite on the second floor of Roberts Hall. The formation of the Multicultural Center was instigated by a 'talk-in' with a group of Black students and members of faculty in spring 1985 and the Black Student Manifesto, a document created by students that included points to address institutional racism and improve the situation for Black students at Bucknell.