Multicultural Student Leadership Institute (MSLI)

MSLI Mission

The Multicultural Student Leadership Institute (MSLI) program seeks to support and nurture first-year students and transfer students from diverse backgrounds in transitioning into a private, suburban educational environment. Through MSLI, they will be empowered and better able to successfully navigate the pathway of their college experience through self-reliance, persistence, retention and attainment by early engagement (co-curricular and curricular) with faculty, staff, alumni and service to other students in internal and external communities.

What MSLI can do for you

Through a series of open-ended seminars and meetings, future Rider student leaders receive guidance from, and interact with, Rider faculty, staff, and alumni. Issues discussed include college survival strategies, self-exploration, and cross-cultural communication. Each of these skills is essential for the development of effective student leaders.

Recognizing that leadership is a growth process, "The Institute" is structured to guide these future student leaders through three phases. Each phase represents a different stage of leadership learning.

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Who should participate?

MSLI: Incoming FIRST-YEAR undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds*

• For Fall 2023 | June 15, 2023 Deadline
• For Spring 2024 | January 31, 2024 Deadline

MSLI-T: Incoming TRANSFER students from diverse backgrounds*

• For Fall 2023 | June 15, 2023 Deadline
• For Spring 2024 | January 31, 2024 Deadline

*Both the MSLI and MSLI-T programs welcome students from diverse backgrounds, including age, country of origin, (dis)abilities, economic background, education level, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, immigration status, political views, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation and veteran status, among others.

Students enrolled in the Bonner, Milestone Scholar Program (MSP), NBCB Living and Learning Early Arrival program and NBCB Math Boot Camp, are ineligible for MSLI due to scheduling conflicts.

Cost: $200 (Due in the Fall 2023 semester)

This covers semester-long onsite and offsite activities, room and board for bridge week, food for seminars and any travel and lodging accommodations.

Phase I: College Survival Strategies

MSLI: Incoming First-Year students

During orientation to Rider University, which is called "MSLI Summer Bridge Week," new first-year MSLI students are invited to participate in a series of guided discussions and are offered tours and tips on navigating the campus. Participants in these interactive workshops learn fundamentals of personal and organizational leadership, introspection, awareness and appreciation of others, team-building, goal-setting, and personal management.

MSLI-T: Incoming Transfer students

At the onset of their experience at Rider University, incoming MSLI-T students are invited to participate in one full day of workshops (Bridge Day) to learn the fundamentals of personal and organizational leadership, career pathways, awareness and appreciation of others, networking opportunities on campus, studying abroad, and cross-cultural communication.

Phase II: Self-Exploration

MSLI: Incoming First-Year students

As our first-year MSLI students master basic leadership and communication skills, they are encouraged to apply what they have learned by participating in campus-based leadership programs and organizations. First, MSLI students may enroll in the Emerging Leaders Program which meets weekly throughout the semester. This is paralleled with bi-monthly (2x per month) meetings with the Director of the Center for Diversity and Inclusion to discuss the concepts learned and how to apply them to real life experiences. Also, they are encouraged to submit applications to the Leadership Development Program (LDP) which will take them to another level of leadership if accepted. A personal branding retreat further supports leadership skills over a weekend. Other opportunities of leadership present themselves through residence hall government, service learning, Greek Life, cultural clubs and other opportunities.

MSLI-T: Incoming Transfer students

As our incoming MSLI-T students master intermediate and advanced leadership and communication skills, they are encouraged to apply what they have learned by participating in campus-based leadership programs and organizations through residence hall government, service learning, Greek Life, cultural clubs and other opportunities. Meetings are scheduled with the Director of the Center for Diversity and Inclusion to discuss concepts learned and how to apply them to real life experiences.

Phase III: Cross-Cultural Communication

(Engaged Learning Points may be earned in this phase)

MSLI: Incoming First-Year students

Once first-year MSLI students obtain fundamental and practical leadership experience, they will begin to explore concepts and theories of leadership, multiculturalism, and civic responsibility. As their awareness and understanding deepen, committed leaders will be encouraged to broaden their leadership experience by becoming involved as leaders, both at Rider and in the community on a broader scale. We encourage our MSLI student alumni to become MSLI Peer Leaders to incoming MSLI cohorts in the fall semesters. They understand the needs of the students and can help direct them to pathways of engagement with others. These individuals assist in an advisory capacity and with organizing workshops and networking opportunities on campus. Our MSLI Peer Leaders oversee the freshman class of MSLI students and may assist with some administrative duties. Other ways for our MSLI student alumni to stay engaged in MSLI and demonstrate leadership is to become MSLI Ambassadors or MSLI PALS (Partners Assisting Learning for Students). MSLI Ambassadors assist the Center for Diversity and Inclusion in promoting its programs. MSLI PALS serve in the community as mentors to the National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) of Trenton Program and to various Rider student groups.

MSLI-T: Incoming Transfer students

As their awareness and understanding deepen, committed MSLI-T students will be encouraged to broaden their leadership experience by becoming involved as leaders both at Rider and in the community on a broader scale. We encourage our MSLI-T student alumni to become MSLI-T Peer Leaders to incoming MSLI-T cohorts. They understand the needs of the students and can help direct them to pathways of engagement with others. These individuals assist in an advisory capacity and with organizing workshops and networking opportunities on campus. Our MSLI-T Peer Leaders oversee the incoming class of transfer students and may assist with some administrative duties. Another way for our MSLI student alumni to stay engaged in MSLI and demonstrate leadership is to become MSLI Ambassadors, who assist the Center for Diversity and Inclusion in promoting its programs. MSLI-T student Alumni also have the opportunity to take part in serving the community through the MSLI Partners Assisting Learning for Students (PALS) Program as mentors to the National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) Program and to various Rider student groups.

Benefits of the MSLI Program

As an MSLI participant, you will:

• Connect to leadership, networking, mentoring and career development opportunities.
• Engage in college empowerment skills and campus navigation strategies.
• Receive one-on-one personal development and self-exploration support.
• Participate in cross-cultural communication experiences.
• Take advantage of early move-in on campus (if applicable).

Expectations are important for all MSLI participants in committing themselves to participate in all of the MSLI programs and select cultural club events that take place during their first full semester; and, the MSLI Recognition Dinner.

MSLI Commitment

• Successfully complete MSLI Summer Bridge Program (incoming freshmen only) or Orientation Program (transfer students only)
• Participate in Emerging Leaders program (incoming freshmen only)
• Attend leadership seminars and enrichment activities
• Support select multicultural programs

NOTE: Opportunities for MSLI students to receive mentoring from Rider alumni, faculty and staff occur during their second semester at Rider.

For Rider Alumni, Faculty and Staff Seeking a Mentoring Opportunity

MSLI Mentoring Program seeks to foster leadership and career advancement by teaching skills and empowering Rider students at inflection points of their college careers through access to successful Rider alumni, faculty and staff who wish to create a legacy of support and promote a new generation of culturally diverse leaders. This program is open to Rider students who have successfully completed their first full semester in the MSLI program and have earned a Certificate of Recognition and MSLI lapel pin that they receive in person at the MSLI Recognition Dinner.

For more information visit the MSLI Mentoring Program webpage or contact the Center for Diversity and Inclusion at 609-895-5781.