The Multicultural Center opened in October 1986 in a suite on the second floor of Roberts Hall. It was also known as the Office of Multicultural Affairs. The focus of the Center is to be a focus for learning about and developing an appreciation for the arts, beliefs, customs and institutions comprising the heritage of Black, Hispanic, Native American, and International students. Initial core member student organizations included the NAACP, Minority Student Union, Bucknell International Organization, and Pakistan-India Association.

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 that included points to address institutional racism and improve the situation for Black students at Bucknell.

The name changed to Multicultural Students Services in 2003.