Kristine Jan Cruz Espinoza (Educational Psychology, Leadership, & Higher Education) and Renee’ T. Watson (Student Affairs) published an article, “In the Hands of Students: The Charge of a Minority-Serving Institution Student Council at a Dual-Designated Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution and Hispanic-Serving Institution”, as part of the AAPI Nexus journal special issue, "Models of Change: AANAPISIs in Action".

This essay focuses on the UNLV Minority-Serving Institution (MSI) Student Council (MSISC) and its charge to lead campus initiatives that promote success for minoritized students. Written from the vantage point of one MSISC member and the MSISC advisor, this essay historicizes the context leading to the creation of the MSISC, highlights activities and initiatives from the first year, and shares preliminary lessons learned. Finally, the essay describes features that influence the success of the MSISC to offer ideas for other institutions desiring to create or sustain similar student-centered committees, models, or task forces at MSIs.