Michigan State University launched its Presidential Speaker Series with a wide‑ranging and candid conversation on the role of higher education in sustaining democracy and civil discourse. Held at the Wharton Center and moderated by MSU President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, the event brought together bipartisan leaders from government and higher education to examine how universities can help prepare students to navigate disagreement, practice democratic engagement, and contribute meaningfully to the public good.

The evening opened with framing from Ann Austin, University Distinguished Professor in the College of Education, who emphasized the importance of universities as spaces where diverse perspectives meet—and where disagreement, when approached constructively, becomes a powerful tool for learning. President Guskiewicz underscored that today’s college campuses are often the first places where students encounter people with markedly different backgrounds, beliefs, and lived experiences, making higher education a microcosm of American democracy itself.

The panel featured three nationally recognized leaders: Richard Burr, former U.S. senator and principal policy advisor at DLA Piper; Ted Mitchell, president of the American Council on Education and former U.S. under secretary of education; and Margaret Spellings, president and CEO of the Bipartisan Policy Center and former U.S. secretary of education. Former Michigan governors Jim Blanchard and John Engler also joined the program, highlighting bipartisan efforts to strengthen trust in democratic institutions.

Across the conversation, panelists explored growing public skepticism toward higher education, driven by concerns about affordability, job outcomes, transparency, and perceived political bias. While acknowledging these challenges, speakers emphasized that most students report feeling free to express their views—and that universities remain among the few institutions designed specifically to foster open inquiry and debate.

A recurring theme was balance: between higher education’s public mission and individual return on investment; between academic autonomy and accountability; and between preparing students for employment and preparing them for citizenship. Panelists stressed that employability and civic education are not competing goals, but mutually reinforcing ones—arguing that student success, transparency in admissions and financial aid, and relevance of research to community needs are essential to restoring public trust.

The discussion also addressed emerging pressures, including rapid technological change, artificial intelligence, national security concerns tied to research and data, and the influence of social media on public discourse. Speakers called on universities to communicate their value more clearly, form stronger public‑ and private‑sector partnerships, and recommit to their role as places where difficult conversations can happen with rigor, respect, and honesty.

Audience questions steered the conversation toward practical action: how to design classrooms and campus experiences that encourage belonging and respectful dissent; how faculty can be supported in navigating charged discussions; and how leaders can remain grounded in core educational values amid political and social pressures.

As the inaugural event in the series concluded, President Guskiewicz reflected on the enduring responsibility of universities to educate not only skilled graduates, but engaged citizens. The evening affirmed the purpose of the Presidential Speaker Series: to model civil discourse, elevate thoughtful disagreement, and strengthen the democratic mission at the heart of higher education.

Transcript:

Speaker 1 (00:00:00):

Good evening. Hello, and thank you so much for joining us tonight. I'm Ann Austin, and I'm a university distinguished professor in the College of Education. I'm very pleased to be here this evening to introduce the Special Presidential Speaker Series and its participants to you. Before we get started, I want to mention a few housekeeping items. First, and in particular to the topic that we're examining this evening, we ask that you please be respectful to those who are joining in the conversation. We also ask that you avoid flash photography or personal recording devices as they may be distracting to those who are on the stage. And we all very much appreciate your cooperation with those requests. Tonight, we're going to be discussing a topic that's quite important to me, and I think to all of us, it's important to me because I've held leadership roles in higher education, as well as being a researcher who studies major issues in higher education.

(00:01:05):

And in fact, with my colleague, Brendan Cantwell, who I think is here this evening also, we've been hosting a series of public webinars discussing the future of public research universities. And tonight's topic on higher education and civil discourse is really quite central to that future of our universities. Before we delve into the discussion, I first want to acknowledge some of the people joining us in the audience tonight, starting with Michigan State University, Board of Trustees members, Renee Knake Jefferson, and Rebecca Bahar-Cook.

(00:01:50):

We appreciate having our trustees with us. And welcome also to the state legislators joining us, as well as the presidents of several Michigan universities and colleges and leaders of the Michigan Association of State Universities and Research Universities for Michigan. Thank you so much for joining us. So let's get started with this very interesting evening. Writing in the Lansing State Journal in 2024, MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz said that upholding ideals like civility, respect, and dignity is essential to the meaningful exercise of pluralistic democracy. And he wrote, "The universities like Michigan State are purpose built to promote understanding across our differences." The following month here at the Wharton Center during his presidential investiture, the president announced his intent to sponsor a presidential speaker series. He said such discussions could help our students learn to better navigate a world that's filled with diverse beliefs and viewpoints, bringing thinkers and doers to this campus in an atmosphere of civil discourse.

(00:03:17):

We know that college might be the first place that many students live and work together alongside people with very different backgrounds and lived experiences. President Guskowitz pointed out that this mix of people and perspectives makes campuses like ours a microcosm of the society into which our Spartans will graduate. This annual presidential speaker series was conceived as a university and a community event, offering attendees and especially our students, examples and role model...

Launched by Guskiewicz in April, and co-chaired by Matt Elliott and Sanjay Gupta, the Green and White Council comprises more than a dozen prominent leaders, including representatives from Dart Container, Bedrock Detroit, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, ITC Holdings and Carhartt, representing a cross-section of industry and innovation that drive the economy.  

Conversation Highlights:

(1:37) - Before we discuss the signature initiatives, remind us why you thought it was important to pull this group together and what you charged them to do.

(2:57) - Why did you select Matt and Sanjay to co-chair the council? And talk about the membership of the council and the variety of backgrounds you wanted to get input from.

(4:16) - Why was it important to you to co-chair council and lead this initiative? And talk about the process and collaboration of the council. How did you do your work and go about selecting these three initiatives?

(7:15) - Enhancing MSU’s current work to connect education and industry, the members of the Green and White Council used their experience, knowledge and effort, to shape three transformative initiatives: 

•  AI-Ready Spartans 
• Career-Connected Spartans 
• Spartan Catalyst 

Elaborate on the initiatives, and why did you settle on these three?

(8:34) – What do you mean by AI-Ready Spartans?

(12:00) – What are Career-Connected Spartans?

(16:20) – What is a Spartan Catalyst?

(21:33) – What are your thoughts on what Matt and Sanjay have been discussing?

(23:23) - How do you envision the initiatives being implemented across campus over the coming weeks, months and even years?

(27:36) - Will the council disband or will you keep working?

(28:34) – Closing thoughts from the group.

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

Conversation Transcript:

Russ White (00:00):

Michigan State University has unveiled the signature initiatives of the specially appointed green and white council. The council was convened by MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz and tasked with bringing forward ideas to strengthen the state's workforce, connect students to high quality careers and accelerate innovation across Michigan's industries. Launched by President Guskiewicz in April and co-chaired by Matt Elliot and Sanjay Gupta. The Green and White Council comprises more than a dozen prominent leaders, including representatives from Dart Container, from Bedrock Detroit, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, ITC Holdings and Carhartt representing a cross section of industry and innovation that drive the economy. And President Guskiewicz it’s always great to have you back on the program. Good to see you again.

Kevin Guskiewicz (00:51):

Good to see you, Russ. Thanks for having me.

Russ White (00:52):

Sanjay Gupta is the Dean Emeritus, and Eli and Edythe L. Broad endowed professor in MSU's. Eli Broad College of Business. Sanjay, great to have you on again.

Sanjay Gupta (01:02):

Always good to be with you, Russ. Thank you.

Russ White (01:03):

And Matt, you’ve got your hands into so many things. I know Bank of America, just tell us how you'd like our audience to know about your background.

Matt Elliott (01:10):

Well, I'm the former president of Bank of America, Michigan, and now I lead a group of people under the banner of Blue Lake Ideas. And what we do is we consult with companies, boards, and institutions to help them lead through a world of accelerating change.

Russ White (01:24):

Excellent.

Kevin Guskiewicz (01:25):

And he's a proud Spartan alum. 

Russ White (01:26):

Kevin, before we discuss the signature initiatives, remind us why you thought it was important to pull this group together and what you charge them to do.

Kevin Guskiewicz (01:38):

Well, Russ, I've said since I got here about 22 months ago now, that I wanted to be sure that Michigan State was always leading, that we were viewed as the leaders in research, education, service to the state, but also to the nation and the world. And we're going to lead in how we redefine the way in which we can better prepare our graduates for the workforce demands of today and tomorrow, jobs and careers that don't even exist today, that our graduates will be needing to be prepared for over the next three, four decades. So we charged them with gaining a better understanding from industry leaders in about five or six different sectors as to where higher ed is not delivering, it's going to be needed for the future, and I couldn't be happier with where we are. That's sort of one of the initiatives and others really around how we can better connect our graduates t...

Conversation Highlights:

(0:20) – What’s been happening at the renovation and revitalization of the venerable MSU Museum?

(1:03) – Was the remodeling something you knew was necessary when you became director in 2021?

(1:49) – You found a way to stay open during the renovation.

(2:52) – What are you excited about in the renovated MSU Museum?

(4:06) – What are some current or future exhibits you’d like to highlight?

(5:38) – What are the MSU Museum’s priorities in the Uncommon Will Far Better World campaign?

(6:34) – What do you want us to know about the revitalized MSU Museum?

(7:14) – What are challenges and opportunities ahead for the MSU Museum and the entire arts industry?

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

Conversation Transcript:

Russ White (00:00):

Well, it's great to welcome Devon Akmon back to MSU Today. Devon is the director of the Michigan State University Museum. Devon, welcome back. Thanks for having me on the show. So Devon, the museum has been closed for a while. I'm not sure if you're saying refurbished, modernized. What are you saying has happened to the museum?

Devon Akmon (00:21):

Certainly a lot has been happening. I would like to call it a renovation.

Speaker 1 (00:24):

Renovation, I like it.

Speaker 2 (00:26):

The museum has never been in a building that was purposely built for museums. So where we are today on the Circle was previously the library. So we've been in, the museum has been in that building for about 75 years. And this is the first infrastructural upgrade to the building, meaning heating, cooling, windows, all the things that make a museum flourish and make us excellent at stewardship of the collection.

Speaker 1 (00:52):

And Devon, did you kind of know when you took over in 2021, we need to renovate? Or was that part of even why you took the job knowing we would renovate? 

Speaker 2 (01:04):

Certainly it was a priority from day one. So we are really proud that the Michigan State University Museum is accredited and less than 5% of museums are. There are 35,000 museums in the nation. Less than 5% are accredited. However, because of the accreditation standards, we were very concerned would we be able to continue with that designation given we didn't have heating and cooling. So from day one at that time, it was Provost Woodruff and Vice Provost Stoddard and I, we discussed this and made it a priority. And with the collective leadership, were able to get that vital support from our board of trustees who agreed this is an investment we need to make here at MSU.

Speaker 1 (01:41):

But you didn't really close completely, right? You stayed alive in the new MSU Credit Union building. You were there. Talk about how you stayed open and alive.

Speaker 2 (01:49):

So we've been really working to revitalize the museum. I don't think that most people recognize that the MSU Museum was founded in 1857 with the first incoming class of students here. And I always tell people MSU had two great visions. One, this notion of a land grant, and two, a museum that would help with teaching, learning, public engagement, research. So as we've been rethinking what a museum could be in the 21st century post pandemic, we were making great inroads and we knew that by shutting down for 18 months, we would be at a disadvantage. We wouldn't be able to serve our students and faculty in the community. So with the gracious support of our friends at MSU FCU, they provided us with a space where we had exhibitions and programming and a host of activity happening for about 18 months. We just closed down that gallery last week and now we're eagerly anticipating the reopening of the museum.

Speaker 1 (02:40):

So Devon, it's renovated. Tell us about what the renovation looks like. What are you excited about? What are some of the changes? Obviously some of the infrastructure, but what are you excited about in the renovated museum?

Speaker 2 (02:52):

Well, certainly the upgrades, new windows, all these things that will make it a comfortable and stable environment and enable us to do more forward-looking collection stewardship. However, we were able to renovate and upgrade some of the spaces in the museum as well. So the Forest Acres Trust has been phenomenal and they granted us $2 million to reenvision our lower level. So now we have a new immersive lab for faculty and students to engage more closely with our one million objects and specimens in our collection. We have more experiential learning galleries now because of this where we can collaborate with our students and faculty to build exhibitions. It doesn't have to just be the professional staff, but we also have other spaces in the museum for teaching, learning. We've included two new community, what we're calling lounges for students so that they can just drop in and hang out.

(

Made through the university’s “Uncommon Will, Far Better World” campaign and in support of MSU Athletics’ FOR SPARTA initiative, this is the largest single commitment in the history of MSU and one of the largest single amounts in college athletics history. 

Their generosity will dramatically transform Spartan Athletics and fuel academic excellence across multiple disciplines, reinforcing MSU’s mission to empower students and serve communities across Michigan and beyond.

Here is the December 5, 2025, event and press conference announcing the gift.

(0:00) – Remarks from MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz (introduced by Matt Larson)

(7:01) – Remarks from MSU Vice President for University Advancement Kim Tobin

(9:43) – Remarks from MSU Athletic Director J Batt

(14:25) - Remarks from Spartans Basketball Coach Tom Izzo

(29:33) – Remarks from Greg Williams

Questions from the media

(47:02) – When and what made you fall in love with MSU, Greg?

(49:02) – Greg, can you give us the timeline of making the decision to make this gift?

(50:38) – For Greg and Kevin, how did your Pittsburgh backgrounds play into your relationship?

(53:26) – How do you want this gift to be commemorated, Greg, and how is Izzo on a lawn mower?

(54:58) – For Kevin, how do you decide how to allocate these funds?

(56:45) – For J, before and after this gift, where is does this gift put MSU in the landscape of private giving?

(57:45) – For J, how much of the gift is going toward upgrades to facilities?

Event Transcript:

Matt Larson (00:00):

Good morning and welcome to a truly historic day for Michigan State University and Spartan Athletics. Please welcome to the stage President Guskiewicz.

Kevin Guskiewicz (00:18):

Good morning. Good morning and thank you all for joining us here in the Breslin Center. This is the site of so many Spartan triumphs from epic basketball games to joyful graduation ceremonies, and today is a historic day for Michigan State University. It's one of those moments in the life of a university when the horizon suddenly opens wider. As a proudly public leading global research institution, Michigan State is defined not only by our proud legacy and what we've inherited, but by what we dream and build for our future together as one team. When we launched our $4 billion Uncommon Will Far Better World campaign earlier this year, we did something bold. We said out loud that Michigan State was ready to take on the toughest challenges of our time and that we were going to seek what it takes to do it. Facing tough challenges is what we do.

(01:30):

We are built for this from preparing students for the careers of the 21st century perhaps for jobs and careers that don't even yet exist today to squaring off against complex problems like cancer and the impact of climate change on global food security. These are the challenges that can only be addressed as a team by committed people willing to step in, roll up their sleeves and work together. Greg and Dawn Williams, in fact were one of the first couples that my wife Amy and I met after having accepted the opportunity to become Michigan State University's 22nd president about two years ago. They welcomed us warmly and we appreciate all that they have done for Michigan State University and for the surrounding communities and for us personally. Thank you. Their personal belief in this campaign in the possibilities for Michigan State University has been unwavering. From day one, they saw a vision, a university that leans forward, that pushes boundaries, that meets students where they are and takes them farther than they thought ever possible. That generates ideas that shift industries strengthens communities and shapes lives, and Dawn and Greg have done more, and we are here today to acknowledge and celebrate their vision and their generosity. Today I am proud to announce Michigan State's largest private financial commitment ever. Greg and Dawn Williams are committing $401 million to Michigan State University.

(03:35):

This is a gift and an investment that will shape the future of our athletic and academic programs for generations to come. Not only is it the largest in our university history, it is one of the largest to any athletic program in the nation and one of the largest to any university in the nation. It reflects Greg and Dawn's belief in what Michigan State stands for, opportunity grit and a shared responsibility to lift one another. And I'm so excited to share this milestone with them. It's not often that we get to celebrate something of this magnitude, something that will support students, faculty, staff, and students, student athletes for generations to come. This gift impacts many areas at Michigan State University and it sets a great example for other donors and supporters that you can be engaged in so many different ways to support Michigan State University, giving sure, but also by being engaged, whether it's partnering with us to set up internships or speaking to classes or serving as a mentor to those coming up behind you.

(04:49):

It's all connected. It all makes a difference. The Williams’ commitment also represents Spartans’ deep rooted spirit of bold innovation. Michigan State was founded as the trailblazing Land Grant College based on the insight that knowledge can change everything, that access matters, that impact matters, that progress should be shared. Greg and Dawn embody that same engaged innovating drive. This partnership feels so natural to us because MSU and the Williams family share a worldview that the future isn't something we wait for. It's something we create and that's something that we've talked about. On many occasions, their investment will propel us forward in ways that will echo across generations. Empowering student athletes who dream of excellence, fueling innovation and entrepreneurship and strengthening the traditions that unite our Spartan community more than a commitment is a vote of confidence in who we are and who we aspire to become. To Greg, to Dawn, and to your family, thank you for choosing to write this next chapter with us.

Michigan State University introduced new Head Football Coach Pat Fitzgerald to Spartan Nation at an introductory press conference on December 2 in the Greg and Dawn Williams Lobby of the Tom Izzo Football Building on the MSU campus.

Conversation Highlights:

(0:00) – Opening remarks from Athletic Director J Batt

(3:59) – Remarks from President Kevin Guskiewicz

(8:58) – Remarks from Coach Pat Fitzgerald

Questions from the media:

(18:05) – How hungry are you to succeed?

(19:45) – How are you prepared to handle the changing and evolving landscape of college football?

(21:04) – When is the first time you thought about coaching MSU?

(22:10) – For J Batt – how early on did you identify Pat as the guy? How quickly will we see his impact on the field?

(23:17) – What did you learn from your Northwestern experience and how will that make you a better coach at MSU?

(24:30) – What are the resources available to you, and what resources do you need to succeed?

(25:25) – What’s your message to MSU students?

(26:58) – For Kevin and J – When and how did you decide to change coaches?

(29:08) – How important are these next five days for you?

(31:35) – What traits will you look for in your coaching staff?

(33:26) – When did it click for you that MSU was the place for you?

(35:23) – Was it an advantage in a way to be away from the game for awhile?

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

Conversation Transcript:

J Batt (00:00):

Well, good afternoon. Good afternoon. Welcome to everyone today, our head coaches that are with us, our donors, our athletic department staff, media members, so glad to see you and many of our special guests in particular. Welcome to the Fitzgerald family. We're so glad you're here. Welcome. It is indeed a great day to be a Spartan. We are excited you're here and ready for a tremendous start to the next chapter of Michigan State Football. Before I get into today's news, I'd like to thank Jonathan Smith for the first class manner in which he represented Michigan State and the professional classy manner. He's handled this transition. We certainly wish him well and his family well and their future endeavors, but as I said, today marks the start of a new era of Michigan State football. Spartan football has a proud history of national championships, big 10 Championships, rose Bowl, CFP appearances and much of that success is recent.

(01:08):

More importantly, Spartan football is defined by its people, the student athletes and coaches that have built this program and the loyal passionate fan base that fill Spartan Stadium each and every week is with them in mind that I set about making sure we had the right coach to lead our program. Transitions are always difficult and throughout the process I continually focused on what I believe was in the best long-term interest of our programs. I wanted a coach who was a proven winner, a coach of integrity and intensity, someone with a formula for success on the field and a plan of attack in a continually evolving landscape, someone who could effectively and efficiently use the resources they were provided. Fit was also important as we set out on this search. Someone who understands the Big 10 and has relationships through the Midwest, a coach who embodies the values on which our program was built.

(02:07):

Perhaps most importantly, someone who shares our standard of excellence and aggressively pursues that excellence each and every day. I was looking for someone who would partner as we continue to elevate not just Michigan State football, but our entire athletic department, someone who would share our fundraising vision. Some of you may have seen we launched a $1 billion capital initiative today, so a few renderings of the east side of Spartan Stadium. Pretty excited about that and it certainly gave me chills to see that rendering for the first time and hopefully he did the same for you as we went through this list of criteria. Pat Fitzgerald met every criteria. He's a passionate winner. He understands the Big 10 in college football here in the Midwest. We have a shared vision for building championships and returning this program to its elite level of success. At the same time, we have an obligation as a department to the football program.

(03:02):

We are fully committed to providing the resources and infrastructure required to compete at the highest lever. Nearly six months ago, almost to the day, I stood in this exact same spot and shared that my vision for reestablishing Michigan State Athletics as a top 10 athletic department. I also spoke about the importance of Michigan State football and what is required for us to reach that goal. To reach that level of success requires alignment at every level. I'd like to publicly thank President Gussy and our board of trustees for their support of our department through this transition and throughout the year also being a great partner as we work towards our common goals. They have certainly positioned us well for success in years to come and is in that spirit of alignment that I'd like to welcome the stage our president, Dr. Kevin Skow.

Kevin Guskiewicz (04:00):

Thanks Jay and it's an honor to be here Today I want to take this opportunity to welcome the Fitzgerald family to our family here in East Lansing to Michigan State University State, Jack, Brendan, and I know that Ryan, I think is off at football practice across the lake. You're going to love the family that you are joining today. I want to also take this opportunity to welcome two of our board of trustees members, Renee Kki Jefferson and Dennis Deno who are with us today. I see Dennis and Trustee Kki Jefferson is here somewhere I think, but thank you for your support in supporting this transition. I also want to take the opportunity as Jay Bat has already done, and that is to thank Jonathan Smith for his contributions to Michigan State University and his family for being part of this community and he is indeed a class act and I know we will continue to try to support him and his family even on a wintry day like today.

(05:01):

I'm sure that Coach Fitz, as he has said, he likes to be called Coach Fitz. I'm going to work on that and his family will discover the warmth of our Michigan State community much in the same way that Amy and our family did when we visited this campus nearly two years to the day when it was much like this with a little snow on the ground, but it's warmth that's as I like to say, kindled by our passionate campus and a Spartan community and all those many who are in the room today who are dedicated to making a difference on the field and beyond, and that's the way we develop talent here at Michigan State University. I'm excited for what Coach Fitzgerald's addition to our athletics program will do not only for Spartan football but for our entire campus. Pat Fitzgerald is a p...

Bahar shares his background and tells why he wants to lead The Broad. He talks about the museum’s evolving mission and shares his short- and long-term goals for The Broad. He discusses challenges and opportunities ahead for The Broad and for the entire arts industry.

Conversation Highlights:

(0:20) – What’s your background?

(1:22) – Is there something unique about a museum in a university setting?

(2:03) – Do you have any experience with MSU, the state of Michigan, and/or The Broad?

(2:46) – What attracted you to leading The Broad at MSU?

(3:39) – What’s the mission of the museum, and what’s your vision for evolving the mission?

(4:56) – What are some of your short- and long-term goals for The Broad?

(6:15) – What are some of the challenges and opportunities ahead for The Broad and the entire arts industry?

(7:05) – What are some current or future exhibits you’d like to put on people’s radars?

(8:14) – What are some of the Broad’s priorities in MSU’s Uncommon Will. Far Better World campaign?

(9:53) – How would you like faculty, staff, student and the public to interact with the museum?

(11:27) – Final thoughts.

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

Conversation Transcript:

Speaker 1:

On this episode of MSU today, it's great to welcome the new director of the Eli and Edith Broad Art Museum at Michigan State University. Phillip Bahar. Phillip, great to meet you and welcome to the university and the program.

Speaker 2:

Thanks so much for having me. I'm excited to be here at MSU and at the Broad,

Speaker 1:

Could you start, give us a little bit of your background that's led you to MSU?

Speaker 2:

Sure. I've had my entire career in the arts and museums. I just came from Chicago where I led the Chicago Humanities Festival. We'd put on about a hundred programs a year, artists, authors, journalists, policy makers, other thinkers from across the world, and a lot of academics. So I'm very close to working with the university systems and working with thought leaders in their fields. And before that, I was at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, which is one of the great contemporary art museums in the world. Film Series performing arts series. Really amazing exhibitions in certain ways. Very similar to the Broad, really thinking about the museum as a multidisciplinary space, a space for artists to spread their wings and do new work, but also an opportunity for audiences to really experiencing experience, things that are new and that might change how they think about the world.

Speaker 1:

And is there something unique about a museum in a university setting?

Speaker 2:

Absolutely, because MSU has a faculty, they have faculty with such a wide array of experiences and knowledge, and I think that's one of the things that actually makes the broad very special, is that we do a lot of partnerships with faculty. So they bring their research, they bring their areas of inquiry into our space with us, and then we get to play with the collection and with artists to figure out, okay, how can we tell a story that's through the lens of what they're thinking about, but very much true to who we are and to who the collection is and the artists we present.

Speaker 1:

And do you happen to have any past experience with either MSU, the state of Michigan or maybe the broad itself?

Speaker 2:

I hadn't had direct experience, but obviously I'd been following the broad from its founding. The Zaha Hadid building was a big deal when it was first built, the first free standing building by that architect in America. And then also the exhibitions over the last 12 years, I've periodically dipped in and seen what's been going on there from afar. There have been a lot of actually Chicago artists that have passed through the Broad. So along the way I've kind of been in Chicago seeing Chicago artists kind of starting to expand their reach and many of them have ended up here. Yeah,

Speaker 1:

That's cool. So what attracted you to leading the broad here at MSU?

Speaker 2:

Certainly I think museums are magical spaces, and I think the broad from the exterior to the experience inside is really special. The collection is a historic collection, but we're a very much contemporary institution, and that's what drew me to it. As a museum, we're focusing on issues that really matter to us as individuals as a society today, but we have this lens and this ability to dip into our past while looking at our present. One of the great things I think of the humanities, but certainly of museums is that ability to bring the present to life through a different lens and maybe give you a different perspective on how to think about things or how to see things.

Speaker 1:

And you've been discussing it, Phillip, but talk a little bit about the mission of the museum and then your vision for evolving that mission.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, I mean, the broad really has, I'd say two core areas of focus. One is obviously the MSU community. We want art to be essential to all the students on campus and the faculty on campus. That essential element might be once a year coming and having an experience. It might be coming every week, it might be coming every day. But really making art a central part of the MSU experience as part one and then more in the region and in the Lansing East Lansing community. Being the primary art museum in this area is a really important responsibility and we take it seriously and it allows us to think about what kind of exhibition should we be putting on that serve both the campus and the community. Sometimes one, sometimes other. Always both, right? So the last exhibit we closed maybe a couple months ago was called Farmland, and it was a look through the lens of artists on food production, on agriculture. So there was a really beautiful connection to where we are, the kind of institution we are as a university, but then having artists really think about, okay, what do these things mean to us in our daily lives?

Speaker 1:

Phillip, you're just getting started, but do you have some sort of short-term goals as you get started? And if you've had even some time, maybe some longer term ones down the road?

Speaker 2:

The short-term goals is

Speaker 2:

Just to meet

Speaker 2:

People. I've been meeting a lot of people, both the staff, faculty, deans, et cetera. So that's a big priority in the short term.

Speaker 1:

Right?

Speaker 2:

In the long-term, it's really about how can we continue to build on the Broad's amazing legacy, interacting and connecting with more individual students, interacting with partners across the region and nationally because also at a national level, there are only so many university art museums. And I think some of the things we're doing...

Cregg talks about the Christmas tree industry’s place in Michigan’s economy and says there are plenty of trees available for those who want them this season. He talks about the latest MSU research on Christmas trees and says that climate change is likely already impacting the industry. And he shares his tips for selecting, caring for, and properly disposing of a real tree.

Conversation Highlights:

(0:29) - Talk about Michigan's Christmas tree industry and its economic impact in the state.

(1:27) - What's your background, and how did you originally become interested in studying Christmas trees?

(2:31) - What are your and MSU's research interests and activities in this area? 

(6:25) - How's the supply this year? Are there plenty of trees to go around for all who want them?

(8:25) - Is climate change impacting the industry? If so, how?

(11:30) - Compare and contrast real and artificial trees and their respective impacts on the environment?

(14:53) - What are your tips for selecting, maintaining, and properly disposing of a real Michigan Christmas tree? 

(20:04) - What is the Michigan Christmas Tree Association?

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

Harnessing MSU’s distinctive assets and the unparalleled expertise of its members while focusing on what matters most for Michigan, the Council will: 

• Develop talent for in-demand jobs across the state and equip Spartans with skills of the future.
• Connect Spartans to great companies and careers in Michigan.
• Leverage MSU’s cutting-edge research and intellectual property to propel Michigan’s economy.

One of the members of the council is Ancor CEO Jose Flores.

Conversation Highlights:

(0:52) – Meet Jose Flores

(1:31) – What’s the history and mission of Ancor?

(2:13) – What made you accept the invitation of President Guskiewicz to join the council?

(3:08) – Is there a disconnect between higher education and employer needs?

(3:56) – What are the challenges and opportunities ahead?

(4:54) – Have you seen some examples of regional or statewide collaborations that have been successful?

(6:24) – How will we know if the council is successful?

(6:47) – How do we go about keeping Spartans in Michigan when they graduate?

(7:57) – How does Ancor go about talent development?

(9:56) – What should we keep in mind about the Green and White Council and what it’s trying to do?

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

Here to discuss MSU Shares are MSU’s Vice President for Strategic Initiatives Bill Beekman and United Way President and CEO for United Way of South Central Michigan Chris Sargent.

Conversation Highlights:

(0:15) – Bill introduces Chris. Why is United Way important for our community?

(2:14) – United Way supports young people who are interested in a college education.

(5:41) – This is an important time to launch MSU Shares. What are the giving options?

(9:35) – It’s really easy for MSU employees to give to the United Way through EBS.

(11:30) – The name of the campaign - MSU Shares - is appropriate.

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

Conversation Highlights:

(0:00) – opening remarks

(11:30) – How do you keep your team focused in the ever-changing world of college basketball?

(15:24) – In college athletics today, are the expectations to win unrealistic?

(17:09) – Is there a Jase Richardson on this year’s roster?

(19:32) – Did last year’s success rejuvenate you?

(22:23) – Compare and contrast Trey Fort and Kur Teng.

(24:15) – Do you feel like with the guys you have returning that you’re being slighted?

(28:06) – What makes this group of four captains special?

(30:43) – What are your expectations for Coen Carr?

(32:06) – Talk about your relationship with your players?

(35:21) – What has surprised you about Cam Ward and Jordan Scott and what do you see their roles being on the team?

(36:55) – What do you hope to learn about your team from the two exhibition games?

(38:40) – How are the transfers settling in with the team?

(41:34) – What traits do you look for in your players?

(44:15) – closing thoughts

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

State of the University, new professors, leadership initiatives, enrollment record, US News rankings, federal policy changes, Jennison fund, budget adjustments, comprehensive campaign, experiential learning, strategic plan, One Health, research innovation, community partnerships, athletics.

SPEAKERS

Speaker 1

00:00

State of the University.

Speaker 1  00:19

So good morning again, and congratulations once again. I think they deserve another round of applause to our 2025, newly endowed professors and chairs. Your excellence truly elevates the capacity of our university to drive our work toward achieving our aspirations as a leading global public research university, and thanks to all my Spartan colleagues for joining us today, including several of our Board of Trustees members one year ago, almost to the day at my presidential investiture here at Wharton Center, I shared a Vision for Michigan State University, not just my own, but one shaped by conversations and collaborations with so many people around our campus and around the community and many of you who are here today together, we outlined big, bold goals, making Michigan State University the most inclusive, welcoming and safe environment it can be tackling grand societal challenges head on, and transforming Michigan State University into a truly next generation University. We also launched several leadership initiatives aimed at achieving those goals, and today, I'm excited to share the progress that we've made and a glimpse of what's ahead. Let's start with some great news, and there's so much that we could talk about and celebrate today, but I want to touch on a few things. First, we entered the new academic year, enrolling more undergraduate students than ever before in our 170 year history of Michigan State University, it's clear that students and families place their trust in us to provide an education that is practical, exceptional and accessible. Students come to us from 139 countries, all 50 states, and all 83 counties across the state of Michigan, we remain the top choice for in state students, with over 8200 Michiganders as part of this new class. And that's why I say that we are Michigan's State University and over 600 highly achieving incoming students join the Honors College, 30 of whom represent our inaugural class of the Williams scholars.

02:52

Second, some good news from US News and World Report

Speaker 1  02:58

US News and World Report rankings just placed six of our undergraduate programs among the nation's top 25 two more than last year. Supply Chain Management ranked number one for 15 consecutive years. Service Learning and Education Abroad ranked number one among public universities, learning communities ranked number two nationally, and the list you could go on and on and on, but there's a lot to celebrate with regard to the incredible academic achievements and opportunities provided through our undergraduate and graduate students here at MSU. And I want to offer a huge congratulations to the faculty and staff who make these programs run, you know, on a daily basis, and, more importantly, to shine on a daily basis. So we're grateful for all that you do. However, not all developments this past year have been easy. Everyone here knows that federal policy changes have disrupted our operations and impacted our core mission of teaching, research and outreach.

04:05

But Spartans don't back down.

Speaker 1  04:09

We mobilize teams to respond swiftly, to protect our research, support our people and continue serving the public, a responsibility that we hold and take very seriously as a leading global public research university, as we always have and will continue to do, I've taken our message to Washington DC and invited lawmakers here to see firsthand the value we provide through research, education and outreach. We've also taken action here at home, through the Jennison fund, we're investing $5 million per year for three years to support affected research programs. Just last week, we notified 37 recipients of this funding, and their work is nothing short of inspiring agricultural economist kajil Galati will be able to pivot from her international work in food safety and security toward applications in the United States, including examining lead testing policies on children's health and educational outcomes. The history department's Professor Walter Hawthorne can complete data integration, supporting scholarly and public access to the names and stories of more than 33,000 historically enslaved individuals on the unique MSU based enslaved.org platform. And graduate student Melina Ortez can continue preparing for a research for a career in research, a cancer research. Jennison funding will support 24 graduate students and restore our fellowships, allowing our continued education of the next generation of scholars and leaders. This is what it means to live our mission, to invest in people, knowledge and purpose. I want to thank all those in the offices and on the rapid response teams analyzing each new mandate and recommending ways to mitigate the disruption to our operations and our people. We will stay true to our Spartan mission and our Spartan values. Not all of our challenges stem from external factors, and I acknowledge the anxiety around our internal budget adjustments, I want to salute the careful work our colleges and administrative units have done to help build a secure, sustainable future for MSU. Together, as one team, we've taken steps to ensure our financial health for the long term. And let me be clear, as I said several times this past year, MSU is not in a financial crisis, but we are navigating a complex landscape and making tough, proactive decisions right now to stay strong. Thanks to our community's hard work, we've maintained the lowest tuition increase among Michigan's public universities over the past decade. We've increased University funded financial aid, and we've protected essential programs while aligning resources with strategic initiatives.

07:33

And we're not slowing down.

Speaker 1  07:35

We're moving forward together as one team with a clearer understanding of who we are and who we can become.

07:46

So as I promised, let's talk apples.

Speaker 1  07:51

Yes, it's harvest season, and Michigan is the nation's second largest apple producer. And that matters because it connects directly to our roots and our role in supporting Michigan's economy and agriculture. I look back at our visit to the Martinez farm in Conklin during our inaugural Spartan bus tour last fall, and I'm proud to know that Michigan's 700 have a reliable partner in Michigan State University, and we saw that firsthand on that bus tour, the training in agricultural and management practices that we offer to farmers such as Paulina Martinez and his team provide the knowledge to Ensure Michigan needs

08:39

in apple production,

Speaker 1  08:42

the Spartan bus store was one of the leadership initiatives that I announced last year. In addition to traveling to Central and Western Michigan last October, we've traveled to Detroit in May to visit places our students call ...

The SpartanXpress is MSU’s autonomous and electric bus and is ready to roll around campus with a fresh look, new route and exciting research opportunities to explore.  

Thanks to the university’s latest three-year partnership with ADASTEC, a leading software company that specializes in automated driving solutions, the full-size, 21-seat bus travels a 5.12-mile loop around campus with stops at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts and Anthony Hall. 

The bus will run Monday through Friday between 10:05 a.m. and 3:25 p.m. No pass is required for the SpartanXpress. Ridership is free and open to students, faculty, staff, campus visitors and community members.  

For the complete schedule and to learn more about MSU’s live, connected mobility ecosystem, visit the MSU Mobility website.  

Judd Herzer is MSU’s director of MSU Mobility and Innovation. Cemre Kavvasoglu is product management director, North America for ADASTEC Corp. 

Conversation Highlights:

(1:20) – What is the Spartan Xpress?

(1:58) – Why did ADASTEC want to get involved in this program?

(2:40) – Describe Spartan Xpress safety and technology features.

(4:54) – What kind of research is happening on the bus?

(9:07) – What do you hope to learn from the initial research?

(14:13) – How does MSU define mobility?

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

Part of the outreach David does is the Stuckman Lecture Series at Michigan State University, which brings leading voices in food and applied economics to campus, fostering critical discussions on the economic forces shaping our food systems and global markets. 

As the inaugural speaker, Scott Horsley sets the stage for an ongoing dialogue on the intersection of food, economics, and policy. Scott is NPR's Chief Economics Correspondent. He reports on ups and downs in the national economy as well as fault lines between booming and busting communities.

Conversation Highlights:

(1:02) - David, describe the work you do at MSU. What is food economics?

(1:48) - Who is Noel Stuckman and describe the mission of the series. Why are these discussions important?

(2:47) - Scott, what do you see as the key issues in food economics, and what are you focused on reporting?

(4:28) - What messages do you hope to leave with the audience?

(5:37) – When it comes to food economics, is there a fact you would like to reinforce or a myth you would like to dispel?

(8:32) - What’s the mood at NPR after cuts? What’s ahead?

(10:13) – What will you be reporting on and researching in the coming months?

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

Conversation Transcript:

Russ White (00:00):

Well, David Ortega is professor and Noel W Stuckman chair in Food Economics and Policy in the Department of Agricultural Food and Resource Economics at Michigan State University. David, great to have you back on MSU today.

David Ortega (00:15):

Thanks, Russ. Happy to be here.

Speaker 1 (00:17):

In a moment, we're going to talk to NPR Scott Horsley because part of the outreach David does in the Stockman lecture series that is inaugurating today with us, Scott. It's bringing together leading voices in food and applied economics to campus, fostering critical discussions on the economic forces shaping our food systems and global markets. As the inaugural speaker, Scott Horsley sets the stage for an ongoing dialogue on the intersection of food economics and policy. Scott is NPR'S Chief Economics correspondent. He reports on the ups and downs in the national economy. Scott, great to have you at MSU.

Scott Horsley (00:53):

It's great to be here in Michigan.

Speaker 1 (00:56):

David, first a little bit about the work you do. What do you mean by food economics and what does the department do?

Speaker 2 (01:02):

Yeah, so I'm a food economist and that's really a subdiscipline of economics where we look at how food goes all the way from farm to table and all of the people that are involved in producing the food, distributing that food. But we also look at what affects the food on its journey shocks, and we look at prices and economics as sort of an outcome. And there's been a lot of factors that have really converged over these past few years that have led to significant increases in the price of food. Also teach both at the undergraduate and graduate level, teach food marketing management for undergrads, but also food policy at the graduate level to our masters and PhD students.

Speaker 1 (01:42):

So David, who is Noel Stuckman and describe the mission of this lecture series. Why are these discussions important?

Speaker 2 (01:49):

Yeah, so Noel Stuckman is a graduate of Michigan State University who went on to have a very distinguished 30 year career with Michigan Farm Bureau working with leaders across the state. And really it was his vision and generosity that made both the chair but also the lecture series possible. And the lecture series came about from a need to have a broader conversation about some of the challenges that are facing both the agricultural and food sector issues like the high price of food and the tremendous policy uncertainty at the moment that are affecting not only decisions on the farm and in agribusiness boardrooms, but also around kitchen tables across the country. And so I think it's an important time to have this discussion and I'm very excited to have Scott to kick us off with the lecture series.

Speaker 1 (02:39):

And Scott Horsley, why are you interested in these issues and what do you see as the key issues right now in food economics that you're reporting on?

Speaker 3 (02:47):

Well, it's a great honor to be kicking off this lecture series. I'm flattered that David thought of me. He's been a great resource for us. We've relied on his expertise many times on the radio to help explain what's going on with our food supply. And I hope to maybe repay the favor a little bit. We've seen at the macro level, we've seen grocery prices more or less level off. I mean, they haven't gone down by and large, but they're not going up the way they were a number of years ago where we had for a little while we had double digit grocery price inflation. That's the thing of the past now. And now prices are going up at sort of a more normal level, but for people who had a couple of decades of very stable food prices, the pandemic shock and then the shocks around the war in Ukraine really rattled people and they continue to rattle people.

(

The refreshed, reframed and reimagined strategic plan, MSU 2030: Excellence for Global Impact, reaffirms leadership’s commitment to a shared vision for the university through the end of the decade. 

Here to discuss the evolution of MSU 2030 are MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz and MSU Vice President for Strategic Initiatives Bill Beekman.

Conversation Highlights:

(1:15) – Kevin, you’ve said that the compelling vision of an institution taking on the challenges of the 21st century is among the things that attracted me to Michigan State. How so?

(2:08) – Bill, you’ve been involved with the plan’s development and implementation since the start. What strikes you about the plan’s refresh?

(4:11) – Kevin, you’ve often referred to MSU 2030 as a roadmap. Why is it important for MSU to have this plan and to refresh it now? And what do you mean by “synergy unleashed?

(6:24) - The newly revised MSU 2030 plan maintains as foundational elements six strategic and cross-cutting themes and priorities — Student Success, Staff and Faculty Success, Discovery and Innovation for Impact, Sustainable Health, Stewardship for a Sustainable Future, and Access, Opportunity and Excellence.

Let’s talk about the cross-cutting themes that are injecting new energy into these ongoing efforts and uniting key areas. How do they complement the themes? How and why were they developed and elaborate on what you mean.

First, Grow Talent for Michigan and Beyond.

(9:10) - Drive Health Transformation.

(11:27) - Enroll for the Future.

(14:27) - Build Community Together.

(17:05) - Achieve Next-Generation Operations and Organization.

(18:50) - Access, Opportunity and Excellence.

(20:15) - What’s next? How will implementation proceed, and how will we measure progress and success?

(21:48) – Final thoughts.

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

Conversation Transcript:

Russ White:

Michigan State University unveiled a new strategic plan MSU 2030 in September, 2021, articulating a shared vision for the university and six bold priorities for continuous improvement as originally planned. And now under the leadership of President Kevin Kasowitz, the strategic plan is being refreshed to reflect on lessons learned, adjust course and make progress toward becoming a more contemporary institution focused on cross-cutting priorities and solutions. With Synergy Unleashed, the refreshed, reframed, and re-imagined strategic plan MSU 2030 Excellence for Global Impact reaffirms leadership's commitment to a shared vision for the university through the end of the decade. Here to discuss the evolution of MSU 2030, our MSU President, Kevin Guskiewicz and MSU, vice President for Strategic Initiatives, bill Beekman and Kevin and Bill, great to have you back in the state of the art studios of Impact Radio here on campus. And Kevin, you've said that the compelling vision of an institution taking on the challenges of the 21st century is among the things that attracted you to Michigan State. How so, and why?

Kevin Guskiewicz:

Well, Michigan State University is a proudly public university, one that fills a commitment to the people of Michigan. We rely on taxpayer dollars to transform the lives and improve the quality of life for Michiganders. And so much of the work that's done here through our teaching research and outreach is about the common good. I mean, the new strategic plan that we're here talking about, it's woven throughout the entire roadmap. It's about all that we do is for the public good, the common good. And we felt that the first time we touched down here in East Lansing. And 18 months in, I feel even better about where we're headed than what I did two years ago when I started exploring the opportunity.

Speaker 1:

And Bill, you've been involved with the plan's development and implementation from the start. What strikes you about the refresh?

Bill Beekman:

Well, I think one of the most important things about the refresh is the fact that we're actually doing it. So often you have strategic plans that get built and there's inordinate amounts of time spent working on them, and then they sort of drift away. And I think what's really wonderful about the creation of this plan and those that were there at the start, is that they very intentionally decided that we should have a refresh that about a third 40% of the way into the implementation of the plan, that we should pause, take a look at the environment, what's changed, what's going well, what should we be thinking about changing based on internal and external factors and recalibrate. And so it's really a living plan. And to me that's one the most important aspects of the plan is that it does change. It does adapt to our circumstances and our environment.

(03:08):

It allows for us to think about where should we be course correcting? What things should we be doing differently? How should we learn from what we've done? And that constant course correcting and a living plan, I think continues to make it relevant to what we're doing. And so the process has really been wonderful and allowed our team to focus on the future. It was fortuitous that it happened as Kevin had been here for about nine months or thereabouts, so his energy and vision could be incorporated into the work we're doing. And so yeah, it's been a wonderful process and it's great to see it finished and the work of implementation goes on.

Speaker 1 (03:57):

Yes. And Kevin, you've often referred to MSU 2030 as a roadmap in addition to a strategic plan. Why is it important for MSU to have this plan and to refresh it now? And what do you mean by synergy unleashed?

Speaker 2 (04:12):

Well, I've always used the word roadmap rus because I think you need a roadmap to get to a destination. And the destination that was agreed upon back in 2021 were set of established goals and priorities and how we were going to get there needed to be sort of re-imagined. But again, I think as Bill's already said, it's sort of reaffirming those six initial prio...

Each clinic is directed by licensed attorneys who are members of the MSU Law faculty and staffed by law students who gain critical hands-on research and litigation experience. The clinics provide pro bono legal services and have won important cases for clients across the country.

MSU Law clinics cover the following areas of the law: immigration, family and juvenile law, housing, small business, public defense, Indian law, tax law, and first amendment.

In this law clinic podcast series, MSU Today explores how our law clinics have won life-changing cases for clients and have given students incredible starts to successful legal careers.

For today’s episode, we talk with VERONICA THRONSON, a clinical professor of law and director of the Immigration Law Clinic, which just celebrated its 15th anniversary. Additionally, we are joined by DAVID THRONSON, a professor of law who works closely with the clinic. 

Conversation Highlights:

(1:29) - Can you share your backgrounds and legal interests?

(3:11) - What is the story on how you came to MSU Law to establish the law clinic?

(3:54) - What types of services and cases do you deal with at the clinic? 

(6:39) - Students are an integral part of the clinic, and you have had up to a dozen students before. What role do law students have at the clinic?

(9:35) - The clinic is celebrating its 15-year anniversary. Why is this significant?

(11:05) - How has the clinic’s work been affected by current immigration policy? How are you feeling about the future?

(14:43) - How is it being a husband-and-wife team?

(17:12) – Final thoughts

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

Rowe describes his background and what attracted him to taking on the revitalizing of the Spartan Gymnasticsprogram. He describes his coaching philosophy and weighs on the ever-changing world of college athletics. Mike previews the coming season and talks about what he looks for in the future Spartans he recruits.

Kellerman describes the family atmosphere in Spartan Gymnastics and talks about why she decided to become a Spartan.

Conversation Highlights:

(0:24) – Mike, what’s your background, and what originally attracted you to MSU as a student?

(2:35) – How did your MSU experience prepare you for life?

(3:48) – Sage, give us some of your background and tell us why you came to MSU.

(4:43) – Mike, were you always interested in coaching?

(6:37) – How would you describe your coaching philosophy?

(9:07) – Sage, how do you balance college life with being a Big Ten athlete?

(10:18) – How and why did you go accept the challenge of reviving the Spartans gymnastics program?

(13:45) – Mike and Sage weigh in on the ever-changing world of college athletics.

(17:48) – What do you look for in the gymnasts you recruit?

(22:06) – How has gymnastics evolved over the years and where is it headed?

(26:18) – Coach Rowe previews the coming season.

Find “MSU Today with Russ White” on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

Conversation Transcript:

Russ White:

Well on this episode of MSU today, let's get to know MSU Gymnastics Coach Mike Rowe a little bit better, and we'll meet Sage Kellerman, one of the star gymnasts here at MSU. So Mike, great to catch up with you.

Mike Rowe:

Thanks,

Russ White:

Russ. Great to be here. And Sage, good to have you on the show.

Sage Kellerman:

Yeah, thank you.

Speaker 1 (00:17):

Mike could just start, give us a little bit of your background and what first attracted you to MSU as a student back in the day?

Speaker 2 (00:25):

Interesting. I started out of high school. I went to western Michigan for a year. And I'm going to be honest, this wasn't crazy about that atmosphere or whatever was going on or wasn't going on there, but Michigan State, just basketball had just won the national championship with magic and the cheerleaders had just won their national championship and all this. And I was like, I had friends coming here, I'm thinking I'm going to move across the state, I'm going to transfer. I wasn't doing anything with my major, was kind of interested in the landscape architecture puts around with that for a little bit. But the main thing that attracted me was just the environment, the huge big 10 collegiate feel and the athleticism and football obviously. I tried out for cheer my first season here, contemplated walking onto the men's team, but the cheer team needed Tumblrs in that I could do.

(01:16):

So was fortunate enough to do that. And yeah, the rest was history with that. Did it for my entire career here. I think I was on the five year program here, but I cheered for four and in 84 we were second at the national championships, which was very cool. And obviously the thrill of it was traveling with the football and the basketball teams. We only cheered for two sports at that point and just traveling and the comradery of, I think there was 20 people on the team and it was so much fun. It kind of consumed me. I probably could have been a better student, I'm not going to lie. We didn't have academic resources like they do now, but did as well as I could, but just had a great time. My sister ended up transferring here from Central Michigan and we were partners for a couple of years, so that was kind of cool. My parents thought it was, yeah, and graduated with a bachelor of landscape architecture and was minoring in musical theater, but ended up buying a one way ticket to the west coast and jumped right into musical theater right away. So

Speaker 1 (02:29):

A little bit then of how the YMSU experience impacted you, prepare you for your professional life.

Speaker 2 (02:36):

Interesting. I think the performance aspect of it, because even though I was majoring in landscape architecture and I was still interested in it, didn't know what I was going to do with it at the time, but the cheer and the dance, I was actually taking dance courses on the side at Ace of Dance Studio across the street, across Grand River from campus and kind of got the bug for that. So when I moved up to the west coast, was very fortunate and got some shows right away basically because of my gymnastics, if they were musicals, my extracurricular activities at MSU are what prepared me for the rest of my life kind of thing. It wasn't really academia, but yeah, it just, one thing led to another and I was very fortunate to write a wave of show after show after show through networking choreographers, directors, people I had worked with before, didn't have to audition a lot, so that was gymnastics and tumbling was starting to become a big kind of revolution and the musical theater aspect and timing was everything. I was in the right place at the right time.

Speaker 1 (03:42):

Well, Sage Kellerman, tell us a little bit about what attracted you to MSU and a little bit of your background.

Speaker 3 (03:49):

My family has always been Spartan fans, so that was obviously something that I've always kind of wanted to go to Michigan State. I thought that I wasn't going to end up going to college because I did quit gymnastics my sophomore year of high school. And that's your big recruiting year. And so I lost a lot of time there. I was talking to Michigan State before and then I quit. So then obviously I wasn't talking to them anym...

Dean Stubblefield describes his background and research interests. He tells why he was attracted to MSU and the deanship of CAL. The dean talks about curriculum, research, and outreach activities and initiatives in the college. He talks about his short- and long-term goals for CAL, emphasizes the value of the arts and humanities, and discusses challenges and opportunities facing CAL, MSU, and higher education.

Conversation Highlights:

(0:21) - Give us some highlights from your background.

(2:16) - Do you have any experience with MSU and/or the state of Michigan?

(3:14) - Describe your research interests and scholarly endeavors.

(4:45) - What attracted you to MSU? And why do you want to be dean of the College of Arts and Letters?

(7:04) - What are some of the curriculum, research, and outreach activities and initiatives of the college?

(9:59) - What are some of your short-term goals for the college?

(11:49) - What about some longer-term goals?

(13:30) - Talk about the importance and value of the arts and humanities.

(15:01) - What are some of the challenges and opportunities ahead for the college, MSU, and higher education?

(16:40) - What are your Uncommon Will. Far Better World. campaign priorities? And talk about the importance your donors to the college’s future.

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

Conversation Transcript:

Speaker 1:

Well, Thomas Stubblefield is the new Dean of Michigan State University's College of Arts and Letters (CAL), and it's a pleasure to welcome him to Michigan State University and MSU today. Thomas, welcome to Spartan Nation.

Speaker 2:

Thanks so much. So happy to be here.

Speaker 1:

Great to have you here to get to know you a little better. Why don't you start with a little bit of your background before you've come here to MSU?

Speaker 2:

Sure. So I started my undergraduate career as a physics major. Quickly changed to undeclared and that was sort of the perfect lens for me to explore and have new experiences as a college student. At the end of that experience, I settled on art history and film and media studies as a double major, and that pairing really kind of structured my academic journey in a lot of ways. So I did a master's in art history and then was going simultaneously to Northwestern to take classes in film and media and was approached by a faculty member who said you should really check out this new field called Visual studies. And that led me to the University of California Irvine, where I did my PhD program. It was a truly interdisciplinary experience that brought together film and media studies, art history, and then in my case, philosophy. So as I transitioned to professorship, I began to realize how much I enjoyed administrative work.

I enjoyed leading committees, putting together new initiatives, even working with budgets, and really found that it was an opportunity for me to expand the area of my impact across the institution and in the community. So I soon became director for the Office of Faculty Development at UMass Dartmouth, was associate dean for the College of Visual and Performing Arts there, and then moved to the University of Rhode Island where I was associate Dean for the College of Arts and Sciences. And that was an opportunity to work with the arts and humanities within an expanded field that included computer science, physics, criminal justice, and so on. So there was a lot of benefit in terms of understanding disciplines outside of my own, but when this job came up, it just seemed like such a perfect fit for my interest. And so that's sort of the path that led me here.

Speaker 1:

And have you had any past experience with either the state of Michigan or MSU by chance?

Speaker 2:

Not really. I will say my wife and three kids, and I have really loved the experience so far. It's such a vibrant community, shaped so much by the university. There's so many cultural events happening at any given time. It's a very family friendly place and lots of opportunities for enjoying nature. And there's parks and just green spaces to take advantage of. So it seems like a really wonderful place and a place that really supports the university. Everywhere I go and I mentioned I work at MSU, everyone has a story or a family member who's currently enrolled or as an alumni, and it's just a really nice feeling to feel that support in the community.

Speaker 1:

And how many times were you, did someone say Go green before you knew to say Go white? Beth probably taught you that right away then. Yeah, exactly. But say a little more about your own research interests and the scholarly activities you enjoy and  will you have to put 'em on the back burner for a while maybe if you're dean now?

Speaker 2:

Yeah, absolutely. So my research area is pretty broad and diverse. I usually say I work in contemporary visual culture, which means any kind of visual media. I think the work that I was most excited about, and you're right, I don't get to do as much of it now, but was working across the aisle with multiple disciplines. I've collaborated with faculty in criminal justice to do conference presentations. I did a research fellowship on a botanist who was attempting to visualize smell, and that botanist was collaborating with a photographer. So I did a deep dive into their work. So it's those kinds of collaborative interdisciplinary projects that really attracted me. And I produced two books. The first was nine 11 and the Visual Culture of Disasters published by Indiana University Press. And the second was a book on drone art War as Everyday Medium. And that really looked at the way that drones were depicted in film, media, television, gallery art, and also the way they were used as media for the creation of art and so on. So a really diverse approach. I enjoyed that work very much, but I find myself pretty occupied with administration these days.

Speaker 1:

Thomas Stubblefield is my guest on MU today, the Dean of MSU’s College of Arts and Letters. So Thomas, what attracted you to MSU? Kind of a two-part question, and why do you want to be the dean? 

Speaker 2:

Yeah. MSU has such an international reputation of research excellence, of innovative research coupled with emphasis on student success. And I think that's rare. That's a very difficult combination to maintain. I think one of the things that really struck me in regard to the latter, that emphasis on student success was MSU is not a gatekeeper in terms of keeping out students. We have a high acceptance rate relative to our peer institutions, but we also have a high success rate and a high retention rate, which means we fully support the students in their journey with us and make sure that they're led toward that succes...

Following a competitive national search, Matthew Daum has been approved by the Michigan State University Board of Trustees to serve as dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, or CANR, and associate provost.

Daum has provided interim leadership to CANR since July 1, 2024, when he succeeded outgoing dean, Kelly Millenbah.

Daum joins MSU Today to talk about his industry background before returning to his alma mater to lead the School of Packaging. He describes the college’s diverse curriculum, research, and outreach activities. He talks about why he wants to be dean and details some of his goals for the college.

Conversation Highlights:

(0:36) – Describe your background before returning to your alma mater. And what attracted you back?

(3:27) – Talk about the diverse curriculum, research, and outreach activities in the college.

(5:21) – Why do you want to be dean?

(6:35) – How would you describe your leadership and management style?

(8:22) – Describe your associate provost role.

(9:24) – What are some of your short-term goals for the college?

(11:59) – What about some longer-term goals?

(13:15) – What are challenges and opportunities ahead for the college, MSU, and higher education?

(16:03) – Final thoughts

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

Conversation Transcript:

Speaker 1:

Well, it's a pleasure to welcome Matt Daum back to MSU Today. Matt is the brand new dean of MSU'S renowned College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, although he has been the interim dean since last July 1st, 2024, and Matt and I talked a few times in his previous role as chair of our renowned School of Packaging. So Matt, great to have you back.

Speaker 2:

Thanks Russ. I am thrilled to be back and appreciate you coming over here for this conversation.

Speaker 1:

And why don't you start a little bit, you're not new to MSU, you've been around a while, but tell listeners a little bit of your background maybe before you came to MSU and why you decided to come here.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, I've been here since 2020, so I moved my family here during the pandemic. Before that I actually was in industry, so I was in Idaho. I worked for a company called Hewlett Packard based in Boise, Idaho. We were there for over 25 years, almost 26 years, and was in executive management roles there. And almost kind of out of the blue got a call from a friend who said, Hey Matt, the School of Packaging has their director job open. Would you be interested? And I said, no, why would I be interested at that? I liked where I lived, I liked the company I worked for. I liked the work that I was doing. And so I kind of just blew it off, frankly. Well, he called again and he said, Matt, you want to keep making widgets or do you want to come back and impact the next generation? That got my attention.

It actually came at a good time because if you know the print industry, which I was in, it was struggling. And I was also at a point in my career where I felt like wanted to spend a little more time with family and was willing to take a new risk. And I was from Michigan and got my degrees from the College and School of Packaging in particular. So I went and explored and the dean at the time, we had a great conversation about what he was looking for and I thought, you know what? I can do this. Let me give it a shot. And so that's how I ended up at MSU. I will say that my degree, my packaging degree from MSU opened up all kinds of doors for me, and that's true of a lot of degrees here at Michigan State. It gives you a great foundation to do a lot of different things, but that degree in particular got me into a globally recognized fantastic company that made huge investment in its employees, made investment in me. I started as an engineer, but then I ended up in management and leadership roles. And so that's how I was trained was to lead and manage all kinds of different functions and businesses really. And so I'm very, very grateful for the land grant mission and the degree that I got and the success that led for me.

Speaker 1:

And Matt, let's talk a little bit about this wonderful College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at MSU. We don't have enough time for you to talk about all the cool things going on, but touch on a little bit of the diverse curriculum, the outreach, the research, so much goes on here.

Speaker 2:

It's a huge college and I did not appreciate that until I actually stepped into the interim dean role and then realize, wow, there's a lot here. So from an academic point of view, there are 12 academic units proper. We've got everything from packaging to construction management, landscape architecture, ag engineering, fisheries and wildlife, ag economics, and many more. And so if you have any interest in agriculture or natural resources built environments, we have it. And that sets us apart. And in fact, our college, I think is unique. It is unique in Michigan. We are able to offer those kinds of degrees that other universities don't have. So that's the academic side. We also have MSU Extension and most people know that MSU Extension operates in all counties in Michigan. I like to think of it as we take the research from the university and we bring it out to the people in the communities and apply it to make communities better, healthy, et cetera. Four H, most people know 4-H and many other programs like that shout out to Quentin Tyler, he's our senior director for extension and does a fantastic job. The other piece is what we call AgBioResearch. And so George Smith, fantastic leader of that organization. That's the research portfolio on behalf of the whole university related to ag and natural resource that cuts across seven different colleges. It's quite a large research portfolio. So all of those things together comprise the College of Ag and Natural Resources.

Speaker 1:

And so Matt, why did you want to be the dean and lead this college?

Speaker 2:

Yeah, I get asked that question every so often, especially now when we're in a little more tough environment. Why would you want to go and do that? There's a couple reasons. So one is personally, I feel like my whole career has, I think led up to this point in terms of leadership. I love bringing an organization into a new frontier. That's really what if you boil it down, that's really my passion. And where I feel I have strength is to lead organizations into new territory. This was a fantastic opportunity to do that. The second piece is I am a serial learner. I love learning new things. I never become like an expert really in anything, but I love learning. And so this is a massive p...

Michigan StateUniversity has announced it raised a record $380.1 million during the fiscal year that ended June 30. 

MSU is also in the early stagesof its Uncommon Will. Far Better World. campaign. The public phase of the campaign was launched in March of 2025. 

Michigan State University President Kevin Guskiewicz and MSU Vice President for University Advancement Kim Tobin discuss fundraising’s role in MSU’s dynamic future. 

Conversation Highlights:

(0:43) - President Guskiewicz, you’ve now completed your first full fiscal year at Michigan State—and what a year it was. Over $380 million raised with more than 65,000 donors contributing to MSU’s future. What does that level of philanthropic support say to you about the MSU community?

(1:52) - Kim, you’ve been leading University Advancement through transformational growth. Can you walk us through what made this particular year stand out—and what it took behind the scenes to reach this milestone?

(3:20) - The campaign title—Uncommon Will. Far Better World. —is bold and aspirational. What does ‘Uncommon Will’ mean to each of you? And how is that playing out across the Spartan community?

(4:07) - How are you helping donors see themselves in this campaign—not just as financial supporters, but as co-creators of that ‘Far Better World’?

(5:41) - This campaign is about more than dollars—it’s about impact. What are some of the ways this momentum is directly benefiting students, research, and MSU’s mission right now?

(7:47) - This past year included 5 gifts of $5 million or more, totaling $138M—which is remarkable. What are you hearing from donors at that level that gives them confidence in investing at MSU?

(8:59) - What role has collaboration between faculty, deans, advancement officers, and university leadership played in this success?

(11:28) - How are you fostering a culture of philanthropy not just among donors, but across MSU’s internal teams—from students to staff to alumni ambassadors?

(13:19) - The campaign has a bold $4 billion goal. As you look ahead, what’s the next frontier for MSU fundraising and engagement?

(14:55) - As you continue your presidency, what do you hope people will say about this moment in time—this record-breaking year—and how it shaped the future of MSU?

(15:59) - If you could speak directly to the 65,474 donors who made this year possible—what would you want to say to them?

(16:44) - What does it mean to you—personally and professionally—to lead MSU during a time of such historic philanthropic support?

(17:43) – What should we keep in mind as the Uncommon Will. Far Better World. campaign progresses?

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

Conversation Transcript:

Russ:

Michigan State University has announced it raised a record $380.1 million during the fiscal year that ended June 30th. MSU is also in the early stages of its Uncommon Will. Far Better World. campaign. The public phase of the campaign was launched in March of 2025. Michigan State University, President Kevin Guskiewicz and MSU Vice President for University Advancement, Kim Tobin, join me to discuss fundraising's role in MSU's dynamic future. Kevin and Kim, great to have you back on MSU Today.

Kevin Guskiewicz:

Thanks for having us, Russ.  as always, I enjoy catching up with you.

Kim Tobin:

Thank you.

Russ:

Kevin, you've now completed your first full fiscal year at Michigan State, and what a year it was with over $380 million raised with more than 65,000 donors contributing to MSU's future. What does that level of philanthropic support say to you about the MSU community?

Kevin Guskiewicz:

Well, I think it reflects extraordinary belief in Michigan State University's leadership, the direction that we're headed, and our purpose as a leading global public research university. And we have amazing stories to tell, and that's what successful philanthropy is all about. I think it underscores our identity as a people-powered institution; our community is all in. And I think that incredible number that you mentioned there, from this past year, I think reaffirms our shared commitment to building a future grounded in access, excellence, and impact. And I think it's a clear sign that Spartans don't just believe in the mission, they invest in it.

Russ:

Kim, you've been leading University Advancement through transformational growth. Can you walk us through what made this particular year stand out and what it took behind the scenes to reach this milestone?

Kim Tobin:

Thanks, Russ. I think really at the heart, it's the team that's worked together. They've been disciplined. We created a strategy three years ago to elevate our success, and people have been committed to that strategy throughout the last three years, and we have also built on the foundation of strong relationships for many years before that. So, the teamwork by the Advancement staff and the strong collaboration across the colleges and units have really been our secret to success. And I want to give a special thanks to our deans and the senior directors of development in the colleges and units. We partner with 28 units on campus to realize this mission and launching the Uncommon Will. Far Better World. campaign also created visibility for what we are doing at the university, and all the positive programs that are happening.

And one of the things that was evidence of people's belief in us is our historic success with our Give Green Day, back in March. It's a single day where we celebrate gifts of all sizes, and in that single day we had 7,716 gifts made totaling $2.2 million for many different funds across campus. So, it just showed the energy and excitement and the teamwork at play.

Russ:

The campaign title, Uncommon Will. Far Better World. is bold and aspirational. Kevin, maybe you first, what does Uncommon Will mean to you, and how is that playing out across the Spartan community?

Kevin Guskiewicz:

Well, I think it means that we do the extraordinary and the uniquely MSU things that distinguish us. And I think it's the relentless drive to push boundaries in research, teaching, and outreach.

Kim Tobin:

I would add that our donor community has shown that they choose action over apathy, and they want to make a difference. It's not just about doing more but doing it boldly and intentionally. I think our Spartan spirit, leading with purpose and perseverance is really evident.

Russ:

The TechE bachelor of science degree program was developed from the ground up with extensive input from industry. It blends mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering with computer science to prepare students for modern engineering challenges in a multidisciplinary, interconnected world.

Students choose from concentrations in mechatronics and embedded cybersecurity or a smart agricultural systems minor. Courses in hardware cybersecurity, electronics and embedded systems, sensors and signal processing, and robotics, automation and controls are taught in state-of-the-art teaching labs and designed to leverage hands-on, real-world projects that integrate cutting-edge technologies with a strong foundational engineering mindset.

The TechE degree program was launched in the fall of 2024 and offers a unique blend of engineering and computer science, tailored to address the engineering challenges of coding and computer science integrated into modern engineered systems. It serves as the college’s latest response to industry demand for practice-ready engineers and aims to bridge the gap between engineers and computer scientists across product development teams.

Janet Brelin-Fornari, Ph.D. is TechE program director. David Sanders and Heather Dashner are MSU College of Engineering alumni and Technology Engineering Industry Advisory Board members. Sanders is with Microsoft, and Dashner is with Ford Motor Company. 

Conversation Highlights:

(1:17) - What is Technology Engineering? Describe the areas of concentration within it. 

(3:04) - What will this program offer that can’t be found elsewhere?

(4:34) - Why was it important for you to get involved with the Technology Engineering program?

(5:57) – What about coding and artificial intelligence?

(6:30) - What current industry needs does this program meet?

(7:39) - How would your company utilize a graduate with this type of skill base?

(8:44) - How did the idea for this program come about?

(10:41) - How will a degree like this one help improve the talent pipeline in Michigan and the Midwest region moving forward?

(13:06) - Why is Michigan State the best place to launch a new discipline like this?

(13:40) – Spartan Engineers are ready to hit the ground running.

(14:18) - What kind of facilities will be available to the students?

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

Michigan State University Executive Director of Admissions John Ambrose talks about the challenges and issues facing higher education admissions.

MSU students Ryan Weingarden and Quiana Kelly join the conversation. They talk about why they chose MSU for college, the pressure points they felt during the application and admissions process, and factors to keep in mind when choosing a college. 

The trio reinforces facts and dispels myths about the college admissions process.

Conversation Highlights:

(0:43) – Ryan and Quiana introduce themselves.

(2:15) – John on the challenges and issues in the higher education admissions world today.

(6:36) – Quiana and Ryan on why they chose MSU.

(8:29) – What were your pressure points when going through the admissions process?

(10:16) – What are the key factors to keep in mind when choosing a college? What should I do, and when should I do it?

(15:49) – Why did you change your major the first week of school?

(16:59) – What about the application process? What tips would you offer? What about the essay?

(21:53) – What are some facts you would like to reinforce and some myths you would like to dispel?

(27:21) – What have you learned about yourself since coming to MSU?

(30:03) – What do you want to be remembered for here at MSU?

(31:30 – Rapid fire questions: Favorite place to study on campus, best food on or near campus, one tradition every Spartan should try, most unexpected thing about college life, and one word to describe your MSU experience.

(32:51) – Summary and closing thoughts.

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

Bryan Beverly is director of the Office of K-12 Outreach in MSU’s College of Education. He and members of the team join the conversation to talk about their work on how school districts are responding to expiring COVID-19 funds.

Conversation Highlights:

(1:12) – Beverly introduces his team and describes the research.

(2:47) – Tyler Thur adds his perspective.

(6:11) – Abigail Bies adds her perspective.

(7:02) – Are districts having to cut back on programs?

(9:37) – Are there examples school districts can point to that was successful due to temporary funding?

(13:40) – Closing thoughts

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

The nonprofit foundation’s $75 million of financial support to MSU reinforces its decades-long partnership with Michigan State University, advancing research, innovation and student success through strategic funding over the next eight years.

Conversation Highlights:

(0:39) - David Washburn is CEO of the MSU Research Foundation. 

(1:52) - Randy Cowen is chair of the MSU Research Foundation board.

(2:32) - Dave, what motivated this support for MSU at this time?

(3:38) - Kevin Guskiewicz, president of Michigan State University, on the impact of this generosity. 

(4:39) - Kevin sees the $75 million being used across all three campaign pillars (Talent Activated, Synergies Imagined and Futures Built).

(6:08) - What else should we know about the Uncommon Will, Far Better World campaign?

(7:00) - Randy Cowen is a graduate of Michigan State University’s College of Arts & Letters, College of Social Science, and Honors College. And he is a 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient, which is among the highest awards MSU bestows on its alumni. He demonstrates a continued commitment to MSU by investing in the Physics and Astronomy Department through endowments. The Jerry Cowen Endowed Chair in Experimental Physics honors the memory of Cowen’s father, Professor Jerry Cowen, who was a distinguished researcher in the MSU Physics and Astronomy Department for more than five decades.   

Michigan State University formally launched the Uncommon Will, Far Better World campaign on March 9, 2025. With a $4 billion goal, it is the largest campaign in the university’s history and aims to accelerate discoveries, expand access to education, and create the infrastructure needed to empower Spartans to lead in every field. 

For more, visit president dot msu dot edu and/or msu foundation dot org.

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows. 

Conversation Highlights:

(0:00) – Opening remarks from President Guskiewicz

(3:11) – President Guskiewicz introduces Tom Izzo.

(8:22) – President Guskiewicz continues his remarks.

(12:45) – President Guskiewicz introduces J Batt.

Related Content: Meet new MSU Spartans Athletic Director J Batt

Questions from the media for Kevin and J

(20:16) – “Challenges are not a responsibility. They’re a privilege.”

(21:05) – How do you enhance MSU’s role within the Big Ten?

(21:50) – How important is it to you to learn MSU’s history?

(22:52) – What’s the role for non-revenue sports in today’s landscape?

(23:31) – Did you talk to Nick Saban about MSU?

(24:13) – How much can you change quickly, and how much needs to change? And what about NIL?

(25:45) – What traits of J’s stood out to you? 

(27:32) – What is J’s rocket fuel?

(28:49) – Did J do something that convinced you to hire him?

(30:28) – How can you best help football?

(31:18) - What do you look for in the people you hire?

(32:05) – How important was it for you to hire someone with sitting athletic director experience?

(33:40) – Talk about the importance of alignment in an athletic department.

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

Batt’s contract and appointment as vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics will be voted on by the Board of Trustees at its June 13 meeting, he will start the week of June 16.

Conversation Highlights:

(0:29) - Give us a bit of your background. Your name is Jason, but you go by J? Is there a story there?

(0:52) - You first met President Kevin Guskiewicz when you were a student athlete at UNC (he played soccer there), and you had to work with him on concussion treatments.

(2:22) - What attracted you to the AD position at MSU?

(3:50) - What’s the state and future of college athletics? NIL, transfer portal, etc. What is coming July 1?

(5:07) - What do see as the challenges and opportunities ahead for Spartan Athletics and all of college athletics?

Related Content: J Batt introduced as MSU's next athletic director

(6:12) - What are some of your short-term goals as you get started at MSU?

(6:57) - If you have had time to think about it, what about some long-term goals?

(7:40) - How would you describe your management and leadership style?

(8:20) - What is your philosophy on fundraising. Why do you love it? “Relationships. People invest in people.”

(9:30) – How does your experience as student-athlete inform your leadership of a department?

(10:48) - Final thoughts for Spartan Nation as you take over leadership of Spartan Athletics.

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

Olmscheid reflects on his first three years leading Wharton Center. He talks about challenges and opportunities ahead for the arts, and he describes some highlights of the center’s coming season. He shares several examples that show the center’s commitment to its education and engagement mission. He also describes how important donors are to Wharton Center’s mission.

Conversation Highlights:

(0:14) – Have you settled into Wharton Center, MSU, and the community now that you’ve been leading Wharton Center for three years?

(0:58) – How has Wharton Center come out of Covid, and what are the challenges and opportunities ahead?

(3:51) – Why are you so passionate about the arts?

(5:22) – Give us some highlights of the coming ‘25/’26 season.

(6:26) – Talk about the importance of Wharton Center’s Education & Engagement mission. Eric mentions the Act One School Series, Sutton Foster Awards, creative classrooms initiative, and Broadway Bridges.

(12:45) – Eric on the access and arts within reach initiatives. 

(14:18) – Wharton Center’s website is the best place to go for tickets.

(15:17) – How important are donors to your vision and mission?

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

As provost, McIntyre will be the chief academic officer for the university, providing leadership for academic programs and research and outreach involving faculty, students and staff. Her planned start date is August 4, 2025, and she will also serve as MSU Research Foundation Professor in the Department of
Counseling, Educational Psychology and Special Education.

Laura Lee currently serves as dean of the college of education and the Castle-McIntosh-Knight Professor in the School of Psychology at the University of Oregon.

She is an accomplished scholar, a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst, and a certified school and board licensed psychologist. Her research focuses on children’s mental and behavioral health, special education, and prevention and intervention to promote child and family well-being in vulnerable and underserved populations.  McIntyre is known for her work in early childhood, autism, family-centered interventions and family-school partnerships for children with disabilities. 

Conversation Highlights:

(1:50) - Give us some of the highlights from your background.

(4:46) - Do you have any experience with MSU and/or the state of Michigan? 

(5:26) - Many outside of academia aren’t entirely clear on what a provost is and does. Can you expound a bit on a provost’s role in higher education at a university like MSU?

(6:38) - What attracted you to the position? Why do you want to be provost at MSU?

(9:12) - What do you see as some of the challenges and opportunities ahead for MSU and all of higher education as you lead the academic enterprise at America's pioneer land-grant university?  

(13:40) - Talk about your research interests and why those are your interests. And what research do you plan to pursue at MSU?

(18:16) - What are some of your short- and long-term goals as you prepare to get started in August?

(20:47) - How would you describe your leadership and management style?

(22:59) - Summarize what you would like Spartan Nation to know about you as the summer progresses, and you prepare to join MSU in August.

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows. 

Just as the inaugural Spartan Bus Tour demonstrated how Spartans are making a difference across the state, a tour of metro Detroit illustrated how the partnerships between the city and Michigan State are changing our state for the better.

Taking place May 5 and 6 with stops at 12 locations in the Detroit area, the tour was led by MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz, and included a delegation of 50 faculty and administrators who explored the breadth and depth of the university’s research, outreach and education impact in a city that, like MSU, values resilience, hard work and a commitment to solving problems and empowering people for better lives.

Conversation Highlights:

(1:20) - President Guskiewicz sets the scene. 

(2:00) - The Zekelman Holocaust Center opened its doors in 1984 in West Bloomfield and relocated to the current Farmington Hills location in 2004. It was the first stop on the tour. The center is home to the Holocaust Museum exhibit and an extensive research library, archives and special exhibit galleries. Each year, more than 150,000 people visit the center, whose mission is to engage, educate and empower by remembering the Holocaust. Eli Mayerfeld is CEO of the Holocaust Museum.

(6:35) - The second stop on Day 1 was at the Detroit Partnership for Food, Learning and Innovation, or DPFLI: The DPFLI was founded in 2017 and is MSU’s first urban agriculture center. Housed within MSU Extension, the partnership in northwest Detroit focuses on research and education to improve the lives of Detroiters and serves as a community space for residents. Naim Edwards directs DPFLI, George Smith directs MSU AgBioResearch and Dave Ivan directs the Community Food and Environment Institute.

(16:07) - The third stop on Day 1 was at The Shepherd and LANTERN, which are part of Library Street Collective’s ongoing artistic commitment to Detroit’s Little Village neighborhood. Anthony Curis is co-founder of The Shepherd and Library Street Collective. 

(21:30) - The fourth stop on Day 1 was a visit to Magna International: Magna International is the largest automobile parts manufacturer in North America with its U.S. headquarters in Troy. Heather Holm is talent attraction and employer brand manager.

(23:44) - Stop five on Day 1 was at the Apple Developer Academy: Partnering with MSU, Apple’s first U.S.-based academy was launched in 2021 in Detroit where participants learn the essentials of coding, design and business with Apple tools. The academy offers free programs of 10 months and four weeks, and, to date, has graduated more than 1,000 learners from the metro Detroit area. Sarah Gretter is director of the academy, and Anny Staten is assistant director.

(27:10) - The final stop on Day 1 was at the iconic

MSU Supply Chain Professor Jason Miller joins the trio to discuss the trade and tariff issues dominating the news.

Conversation Highlights:

(1:14) – Ballard unpacks the latest numbers showing a shrinking national economy. And he talks about Michigan’s unemployment numbers showing an increase in labor participation in the state despite an uptick in Michigan’s unemployment numbers.

(4:32) - Grossmann on the political implications of the economic numbers.

(7:32) – What about immigration? What are the political implications of the court rulings mostly going against the Trump administration?

(9:34) – Is a lot of the American electorate in the middle of the extremes shown by the Biden and Trump positions on immigration?

(10:40) – Are the court defeats for the Trump administration helping to inform the Democrats strategy to restrict Trump?

(12:15) – What’s the status of Republican budget and tax proposals? “It’s difficult to have high spending, low taxes, and a balanced budget.”

(14:34) – Miller weighs in on the latest trade and tariff news. “The United States will not win a trade war with China. U.S. consumers do not like to find empty shelves in stores.”

(18:43) – Is there long-term isolation ahead for the United States when it comes to trade?

(22:37) – How will Michigan’s economy be impacted as the trade war continues. Will Trump back down?

(25:43) – How will Americans react to empty shelves in the stores? How do these tariffs compare to the tariffs in the first Trump term? There are more consumer goods impacted this time. What is the worst-case scenario? Do bigger tariffs mean bigger problems for Trump?

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

Approximately $1.60 is the amount each taxpayer contributes to federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. That $1.60 is seed money for a national system of local public television and radio stations. 

Shawn Turner joins me now to expound on the value of public media. Americans receive a lot of public services in communities across the country for $1.60.

Conversation Highlights:

(1:08) - Public media provides an essential universal service. Together, public media broadcasters reach up to 99 percent of the American populations, regardless of zip code or income level, including in communities where commercial television can’t succeed. The value extends well beyond radio and television.  

(2:42) - Public media is the only free, national media resource that operates with a public service mission, not commercial interest. At WKAR Public Media from Michigan State University, we serve our mission to inform, educate, and inspire through sharing exceptional original content, connecting with community, fostering learning, and much more.  

(3:43) - The noncommercial model is particularly important and unique in the children’s media space. PBS stations reach more parents of young children than any other children’s TV networks. 63 percent of parents surveyed named PBS KIDS® the most educational media brand for children, substantially outscoring the second-most highly rated brand, YouTube, at 13 percent.  

(5:04) - Public media stations are locally operated and locally controlled, providing unique, local, essential services. They make their own programming decisions reflecting the unique needs of those living within their broadcast area. For WKAR, that local control means the ability to serve audiences across a region that includes a state capital, a Big Ten University, manufacturing facilities and family-owned farms. 

(6:24) – WKAR is committed to providing locally focused, balanced content that serves the needs and broad range of viewpoints across this varied community. Michigan hunting and fishing, DIY and travel shows, classical music, performing arts, drama, politics and government. There truly is something for everyone. 

(7:28) - The work and impact of any local public media station goes far beyond the broadcast. Stations engage in community events that celebrate local cultures and foster open discussion. Many have educational outreach efforts that connect educators and caregivers with free educational broadcast, streaming and gaming resources available from PBS KIDS.  

(9:03) – How can listeners and viewers make their voices heard in support of WKAR and all public media?

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

USAID is a government agency that provides international humanitarian assistance. The agency provides an array of programs and aid, some of which is done through grants given to universities for projects that provide help to countries in need. (State News – April 17, 2025).

Feed the Global Resource Lead for the Future Biotech Potato Partnership Communications Manager Janet Fierro and professor and director of MSU Potato Breeding and Genetics David Douches join me to discuss the impact of the funding cuts. Douches’ Feed the Future Global Biotech Potato Partnership was one of the cancelled USAID programs.

Conversation Highlights:

(1:08) - Describe your background and role at MSU.

(2:53) - What is the mission of USAID? Has President Trump painted a misguided view of USAID?

(5:23) - What projects will end due to the termination of funding? What will the impact be as these projects end?

(7:45) - This work is consistent with MSU’s land grant and world grant mission. Generational progress will stop. The long-term institutional vision of higher education differs from the short-term vision of corporations. Higher education is the place for this work. Decades of taxpayer money will be wasted. Investment becomes waste.

(11:39) - This work is not about building up foreign competition. America first is not America only. Everything is global. “You can’t build a peaceful world on empty stomachs and human misery.”

(13:53) - What’s next? Is there any hope of having the funding restored? What would you like listeners of this conversation to know and take away? And how can they help?

(16:13) – More on advances in potato research using biotechnology.

(21:27) – Michigan is a national leader in bean production and the number one state in the country for producing potatoes used to make potato chips. MSU research performed passionately around the world helps make American agriculture better too. And MSU has an outstanding reputation around the world.

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

Conversation Highlights:

(0:00) – Tom’s opening remarks. “We’ve created a bad system, and it’s not specific to MSU. My biggest concern is that people are in the ears of the players all year. The portal is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. I’m worried about the kids; the pressure on them is enormous.”

(10:24) – How do you manage the outside money? – “I’d love to have more transparency.”

(16:44) – What keeps you doing this? – “I’m still living the dream.”

(20:49) – Are these issues seeping down to the high schools?

(25:06) – Talk about the departures of Gehrig Normand, Xavier Booker, and Tre Holloman.

(31:48) – Are there conversations going on to try to change the system?

(34:50) – Talk more about Jase Richardson.

(39:26) – Is there an appetite among the players for more structure? – “There will be more unintended consequences.”

(47:31) – What solutions would you suggest? And if nothing changes, where are we headed? – “I wish there was total transparency. And I wish coaches would respect each other more than I think we do.”

(54:09) – How do you go about retaining your current players?

(58:48) – Closing thoughts and Jud-isms.

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

The events include a 5K run/walk, 5K roll, 1/2 K walk/roll, kids' races and a virtual 5K. All events will focus on fitness, fun, family, Spartan spirit and charitable giving.

Proceeds from the 2025 Izzo Run/Walk/Roll will continue to support an endowment for The Izzo Legacy that will ensure charitable giving for years to come. 

Lupe Izzo and Marcy Gillespie Kinzer join me on this episode of MSU Today to discuss the history and mission of The Izzo Legacy and the details of the 2025 Izzo Run/Walk/Roll. Lupe is the founder and president of The Izzo Legacy, and Marcy is the Legacy’s executive director.

Conversation Highlights:

(0:40) – Lupe, where does your ethos of community, altruism and giving back come from?

(1:34) – What led you and Tom to create The Izzo Legacy?

(4:52) – What is the mission of The Izzo Legacy?

(5:22) – Marcy, what’s your background, and what motivated you to become executive director of The Izzo Legacy?

(6:59) – What are the details of the Izzo Run Walk and Roll potential participants should know?

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

The National Registry of Exonerations records exonerations won by exonerators such as Innocence Organizations, Conviction Integrity Units, and law school clinics. 

The registry captures statistics and analyzes trends, which are used by social justice advocates, legislative policymakers, legal scholars and researchers, and the media.

The second week or April is National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.

Conversation Highlights:

(0:53) - What’s your background? How long have you been at MSU Law, and what attracted you here?

(1:33) - What is an exoneration?

(3:19) - How did you get interested and involved in tracking exonerations?

(4:41) - Why was the National Registry of Exonerations formed and why is it important to document annual exoneration cases? How many cases have you tracked to date?

(7:33) - How much work goes intro tracking exonerations? Can you walk us through that process?

(9:47) - Every year, you release a report. What were some of the key findings from the 2024 report?

(11:59) - Why should people care about this work? How has it helped lead to justice for wrongly convicted Americans?

(15:43) - Has our criminal justice and legal system gotten better at investigating and bringing justice for wrongly convicted Americans?

(19:54) - Are you able to share any of the applications of the report? Or in other words, are law firms, policy makers, or advocacy organizations using the registry?

(21:46) - Where can people connect with the registry?

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

Matt is away this month. Arnold and Charley welcome MSU ecological economist Robert Richardson to this month’s episode. Richardson is interested in the study of the environment and development. He recently led a team at MSU to study attitudes towards recycling in Michigan, especially as it relates to increasing what is known as the tipping fee. That’s a disposal surcharge placed on garbage haulers.

Conversation Highlights:

(2:25) – Charley comments on the “stunning, shocking, and astonishing” tariffs President Trump has put in place.

(10:19) - Is there any indication from prior history on the use of tariffs as to their efficacy in balancing trade or creating new jobs? 

(16:10) – Richardson describes his team’s research.

(19:25) – What did your survey find?

(24:47) – “There’s a great deal of logic if you’re a landfill owner.”

(27:46) – How do we encourage more recycling? And are citizens willing to pay more if they could recycle more products?

(29:53) – “If you make recycling easy, you get a lot more recycling.”

(31:29) – How does Michigan’s bottle bill impact the state’s recycling rate?

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

Bruce tells why she chose to attend MSU and how the university impacted her and prepared her for her career. She describes her new TV role with the Tigers and Red Wings and talks about the trend toward streaming of sports programming. 

She offers her advice for students today who want to follow in her footsteps and talks about causes she supports.

Conversation Highlights:

(0:20) – Where did you grow up, and why did you choose MSU for college?

(1:37) – How did your MSU experience impact you and prepare you for your career?

(3:08) – Describe your role with Ilitch Sports + Entertainment.

(6:30) – Who inspired you to get into sports broadcasting, and why are you passionate about this work?

(8:51) – How do you see the evolution of broadcasting going with the trend toward more streaming of content? And what are your career goals?

(10:09) – What advice would you offer to MSU students today who want to follow in your footsteps?

(11:52) – Do you have hobbies or interests outside of broadcasting you like to pursue when you have the time?

(12:50) – Are there causes that are important to you that you like to work on?

(13:43) – How would you describe what motivates you in your career and your life?

(15:18) – What more would you say about where your industry is heading?

(16:12) – Are there any professors from your time at MSU that impacted you?

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

The goal is to provide exemplary stewardship of institutional resources to foster the long-term sustainability of MSU and its high-quality education, research and outreach and engagement programs

Ultimately, a desire to achieve climate neutrality.

Joining MSU Vice President for Strategic Initiatives Bill Beekman on this episode of MSU Today to discuss the electrification of the MSU fleet are Adam Lawver, assistant vice president of IPF operations in Infrastructure Planning and Facilities; Stephanie O’Donnell, university traffic engineer in the MSU Department of Public Safety; and Dr. Mehrnaz Ghamami, associate professor in Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Conversation Highlights:

(2:12) – Adam, how many vehicles are in the MSU fleet? What kinds of vehicles? We began the process of electrification in 2022.  How is that going?  

(6:37) - What are the lessons learned so far?

(11:54) – Mehrnaz, as an electric vehicle researcher and based on your work studying electric vehicle issues at MSU and across the state of Michigan, what lessons are you learning?

(20:28) - How do we develop a state-wide or national charging strategy? 

(22:34) – Stephanie, what is the role of a university traffic engineer?  How do you spend your workday?

(25:04) – How are electric vehicles impacting your work?

(28:27) - Where are the problem areas or “hot spots” that you’re working to make better? 

(32:46) - What changes are on the horizon for MSU parking, transportation, and safety? What will you be working on for the next three to five years?

(34:21) – Mehrnaz, what will you be working on in the years ahead?

(35:21) – Adam, what’s ahead as our university fleet continues to evolve?

(39:58) – Where do you like to travel when you’re not working?

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

Each clinic is directed by licensed attorneys who are members of the MSU Law faculty and staffed by law students who gain critical hands-on research and litigation experience. The clinics provide pro bono legal services and have won important cases for clients across the country.

MSU Law clinics cover the following areas of the law: immigration, family and juvenile law, housing, small business, public defense, Indian law, tax law, and first amendment.

In this law clinic podcast series, MSU Today explores how our law clinics have won life-changing cases for clients and have given students valuable experience to help launch successful legal careers. 

For today’s episode, we talk with Joseph Kozakiewicz, director of the Chance at Childhood Clinic, as April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Conversation Highlights:

(1:20) – What is your background? What brought you to MSU Law? 

(5:23) - You have been directing the clinic for over 20 years, so how did you get involved with the clinic? What are you passionate about this work?

(8:27) - Provide us an overview of the clinic. What services do you offer and provide? The clinic is unique in how it engages both law and social work students. It’s important to have students from both disciplines working together on cases.

(17:08) - How does Michigan’s child welfare system compare to other states?

(19:19) - There is a growing movement and awareness to include social workers when it comes to law enforcement and the criminal justice system. Why is this important?

(21:27) – How can people contact the clinic?

(22:59) - What types of education and outreach work do you offer to legal and social work practitioners?

(25:41) – Joe, what would you like us to keep in mind about the clinic?

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

Objective 1 of the theme is to strengthen MSU’s ability to attract and meet the needs, goals and aspirations of dynamic undergraduate students from all backgrounds. And a strategy is to ensure all students have high-quality academic and career advising that grows with them from admission through graduation 

Conversation Highlights:

(0:42) – How is MSU 2030 evolving? “Refresh, Reframe, and Reimagine”

(5:08) – What is the role of an advisor at MSU? What do we ask them to do?

(6:53) - Advising lives in all our colleges, but your work is somewhat unique. You lead MSU’s advising team that supports students who haven’t selected a specific major.  Tell us a little about that role.

(14:58) - Many students – and perhaps sometimes their parents as well – believe that a student should have a major firmly in mind when they enter college.  But an alternative perspective is that college should be a place that encourages exploration and changing majors is not only okay but somewhat expected.  What’s your perspective?

(17:25) - Reflecting on my undergraduate days all too long ago, I’ve always felt that much of my learning took place outside the formal classroom setting.  Sometimes it was simply conversations with classmates while at dinner in the residence hall.  Other times it was through more structured activities, in my case an internship.  We now call that experiential learning.  President Guskiewicz has shared that he believes experiential learning is very important for our students.  What role do you think this kind of learning should play in the education of MSU students?

(22:03) - When we think about undergraduate students, we usually have in mind students who have come to us straight out of high school.  But we also welcome transfer students at MSU.  And because they’re coming to us from a different university, their advising is uniquely important.  How does your advising team facilitate the important transition to MSU for our transfer students?

And I understand that we have unique agreements with many of the community colleges across Michigan that make it easier, or at least more straightforward, for students wanting to complete their undergraduate education at MSU?  (Articulation Agreements; LCC – Envision Green)

(28:38) – What pieces of advice would you give students and parents on relating to and taking advantage of MSU advisors?

(31:06) - Ebony, we always end these conversations on a fun note.  You work with undergraduate students every day.  But I’d like you to think back on your own college career.  Do you have a favorite memory from that time?

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

Marisa Smith is an assistant professor of advertising and journalism. Through investigating the effects of political information, including disinformation, she examines the influence of race, identity, and politics on public policy support, political polarization, civic engagement, and political opinion.

Christina Myers is an assistant professor of journalism. Her research bridges concepts of Critical Race Theory and Mass Communication theory to offer fresh perspectives on the intersection of race and media – specifically examining depictions of Black experiences and the presence of implicit racial bias and racist ideologies in narrative creation in the areas of music, sports and news. Christina is a former journalist.

Conversation Highlights:

(1:16) – Christina, what’s your background, and what attracted you to MSU?

(4:20) – Marisa, what’s your background, and what attracted you to MSU?

(7:42) – Marisa, describe your research interests. What are some of your recent research findings as they relate to race, identity and news coverage?

(19:37) – Christina, describe your research interests. What are some of your recent research findings as they relate to race, identity and news coverage?

(24:57) - What is Critical Race Theory? What are the facts and myths surrounding it? How have Critical Race Theory and Diversity Equity and Inclusion been weaponized?

(40:24) - How can consumers be more critical about the information they’re receiving?

(48:42) – Summary of the conversation and final thoughts.

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

Conversation Highlights:

(0:47) – Jason, how long have you been at MSU, and what attracted you here?

(1:07) – David, how long have you been at MSU, and what attracted you here?

(1:34) – David, describe your research interests.

(2:37) – Jason, what are your research interests?

(3:48) – What are tariffs, and what are they designed to do?

(6:30) – How will tariffs impact the U.S. economy?

(10:30) – What are the impacts for Michigan businesses?

(13:34) – What sectors or industries could be most impacted?

(16:57) – What goods will consumers pay more for?

(20:04) – How are China, Canada, Mexico, and the European Union responding?

(24:17) – What should we keep in mind as this progresses in the next few months?

(25:39) – What are some other supply chain issues you’re watching?

(27:00) – What other issues are you looking at in food economics?

(31:07) – You are two of MSU’s most quoted-in-the media professors. What’s that experience like?

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts and wherever you get your shows.

“We are excited to affirm our commitment to supporting health and well-being for all MSU students, faculty and staff by formally adopting the Okanagan Charter,” said Alexis Travis, assistant provost and executive director of University Health and Wellbeing. “The action lets students and employees who choose MSU know that we are coming together as a community to support a culture of care.”

In this episode of MSU Today, Dr. Travis elaborates on the evolving mission of UHW at MSU.

Conversation Highlights:

(0:28) – What is the history and evolving mission of University Health and Wellbeing?

(2:20) – What was the impetus for the February 2025 Health and Wellbeing Summit?

(4:18) – What are the four priorities in the UHW Plan?

(4:45) – What are some of the next steps as you implement the plan?

(7:34) – What do you mean by “collective responsibility?”

(9:16) – What is the Okanagan Charter that President Guskiewicz officially adopted at the summit, and what does it mean for MSU?

(10:20) – UHW has a bold vision to be a premier health promoting university by 2030. What has to happen for this goal to be reached?

(11:08) – What’s ahead for UHW, and what is your hope for the culture of caring at MSU in the next five to ten years?

(11:54) – What would you like us to keep in mind about UHW moving forward?

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

On this episode, the trio discusses the short- and long-term political and economic impacts of tariffs. 

Conversation Highlights:

(1:08) – What are the political impacts of tariffs, and what do you make of the UAW’s support for them? Is this a trade war or a drug war?

(3:31) – What about the economic impact? “The economic and political impacts are intertwined, and Michigan stands to lose the most.”

(6:06) – How are the markets reacting?

(7:51) – What about the long-term political impacts? What is the president’s “out” if the tariffs lead to economic stress for consumers? What is the reaction from Congress and the impact on the president’s approval rating?

(9:38) – What are the four upcoming fiscal deadlines we should pay attention to? And what about cuts to Medicaid and Veterans Affairs? How do reduced staffs impact services?

(14:15) – Are Americans fine with layoffs until they feel the cuts personally? “There is a tremendous amount of uncertainty. Corporations and consumers do not like uncertainty.”

(18:02) – How will the Federal Reserve respond?

(20:27) – What do you make of Governor Whitmer’s response? And the Democratic response across the country seems to be all over the board. There doesn’t seem to be a coherent response.

(25:11) – What about the impact of cuts to the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health and USAID?

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

The Health Sciences Council was convened under the guidance of the Office of the President to advise and support collaboration on curriculum, interprofessional education, clinical care and the development of strategies to enhance our performance in biomedical and public health research. 

In today’s episode, President Guskiewicz talks with co-chairs Joyce DeJong, dean of MSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine; and Jeff MacKeigan, senior advisor in MSU’s Office of Research and Innovation and professor in the Department of Pediatrics and Human Development in the MSU College of Human Medicine.

Conversation Highlights:

(1:35) - Kevin, last June, you announced a thorough assessment of Michigan State’s health sciences structure, given today’s complex health care environment and MSU’s unique mix of educational, research and clinical assets. 

After six months of diligent work, the council has delivered its final report to you with several bold options for a more integrated approach, positioning the university as a model for addressing complex health challenges and advancing health and wellness.

Please tell us more about why you have created the Health Sciences Council and what its mission is. What are some of those bold options? 

(4:08) - Joyce and Jeff, how did you arrive at these options, and why do you think these are the key ones for us to act on first?

(6:56) - Kevin, what do you mean by One Team? And Joyce and Jeff, what do you mean by One Health?

(10:15) - Joyce and Jeff, what do you both see as both the challenges and opportunities ahead for MSU Health Sciences? How can this council’s work positively impact its future? 

(13:26) – Veterinary Medicine Dean Kim Dodd is on the council, too, and Vet Med will play a crucial role as we move forward.

(14:36) – Joyce and Jeff, why are you so passionate about these possibilities, and what led you to accept Kevin’s invitation to co-chair the council?

(16:25) – Talk about the importance our external healthcare providers and partners play in this bold future and how those relationships will be strengthened.

(18:45) - Kevin, what are next steps for the Council? 

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

Core values of Ubuntu are: Compassion: Expressing compassion for others; Reciprocity: Treating others as you would want to be treated; Dignity: Valuing the dignity of all people; Humanity: Showing humanity to others; Mutuality: Working together for the benefit of the community.

Upenyu Majee and Halla Jones are working to establish the Institute for Ubuntu Thought and Practice (IUTP) at Michigan State University.

Conversation Highlights:

(0:32) – Upenyu, what’s your background, and what attracted you to MSU?

(1:53) – Halla, what brought you to MSU?

(2:44) – Say more about the Ubuntu Dialogues Project that initially brought you two together.

(4:24) – How did the project evolve into the institute?

(6:02) – What is the mission of the IUTP?

(11:04) – What is the change you would like to see in the world today and how can Ubuntu help us get there?

(13:47) – Why aren’t we there yet? The concept of Ubuntu sounds so good. How and why are our lived experiences important to understand? “We listen to understand.”

(21:12) – How is Ubuntu strategic and deeply necessary?

(23:42) – What would you like us to keep in mind about the IUTP?

(27:33) – How would you like citizens to get involved with IUTP? How do we get others to see themselves in the institute?

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

The Michigan State University Federal Credit Union is lead sponsor for Give Green Day 2025 and, along with MSU’s Office of the President, is providing a $100,000 challenge gift. The challenge gifts are used to incentivize giving by key audiences and encourage campus participation in promotion of the day.

MSU offers specific matches for students, first-time faculty/staff donors, and current parents of Spartans, while also running hourly challenges throughout the day to encourage donors to give multiple times in support of different areas. 

On this episode of MSU Today, MSUFCU President and CEO April Clobes and MSU Assistant Vice President for Alumni Nick McLaren talk about the day.

Conversation Highlights:

(0:42) – What is Give Green Day, and how is it different from MSU’s daily philanthropy work?

(1:41) – Why is MSUFCU so interested in supporting Give Green Day? And why are you so supportive of MSU throughout the year?

(4:19) – How do the challenge gifts work? 

(5:38) – Student success is a key focus of Give Green Day.

(7:34) – How do people participate in Give Green Day?

(10:51) – Final thoughts from MSUFCU, April?

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

Conversation Highlights: 

(0:29) – Quinetta on her background and what brought her to MSU.

(1:45) – Stephen on his background and what brought him to MSU.

(3:25) – Stephen on his research interests.

(5:18) – Quinetta on how her research interests have evolved.

(7:52) – What is the state of diversity, equity, and inclusion issues today? – “People are reacting to the terminology rather than what is in practice.”

(11:30) – “By putting the three words together, it takes away from what it’s all about.”

(13:47) – Are there some facts you would like to reinforce and/or some myths you’d like to dispel?

(20:56) – How does increasingly pervasive technology like artificial intelligence play into all this?

(26:04) – Are we in the moment of an opportunity? Is there some buyer’s remorse with the phrase DEI?

(32:04) – What are the three questions you ask leaders to reflect on?

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

President Guskiewicz recently announced this significant progress of one of his premier initiatives by appointing former Bank of America executive and Michigan State University alumnus Matt Elliott and Broad College of Business Dean Emeritus and Professor Sanjay Gupta as co-chairs of the university’s much-anticipated Green and White Council. 

Conversation Highlights:

(0:52) - President Guskiewicz, please tell us about why you have created the Council and what its mission is.

(2:49) - Matt, give us your background, and what attracted you to co-chairing the Council. Why did you accept Kevin’s invitation?

(3:27) - Sanjay, give us your background. You have been at MSU for a while, what attracted you to co-chairing the Council. Why did you accept Kevin’s invitation? 

(7:10) - Matt, thank you for accepting my invitation to co-chair the Council. How did your MSU experience impact you and help get you where you are and how you’d like to share that experience to help others?

(10:22) - Sanjay, what first attracted you to MSU and the Broad College?  And how did your role at the college evolve and how can your experience translate to our students? 

(16:15) - Matt and Sanjay, what do you see as both the challenges and opportunities ahead for MSU and all of higher education?

(25:27) - Matt and Sanjay: How do you see your expertise and experience most positively impacting the mission of the Green & White Council? And what synergies can be created by better linking our students to the various sectors in the business community? What are the pathways for internships and exploration and what I like to call experiential learning?

(31:44) - Kevin, what are next steps for the Council? How will the Council operate, and how and when will we learn some of the outcomes the Council hopes to see?

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

With her body of work, which reflects her vast experience, versatility, and technical brilliance, she has carved out her place in jazz history, and she continues to contribute to the preservation of this uniquely American art form.

In August 2024, Carmen joined the faculty as associate professor of jazz voice in the Jazz Studies program in the College of Music at Michigan State University.

Bradford talks about her background and how she fell in love with singing. She details her relationship with Count Basie. And she tells how, when, and why she became involved with MSU’s Jazz Studies program.

Conversation Highlights:

(0:22) – What is your background, and when did you fall in love with music and singing?

(2:21) – Tell us about your “little girl” relationship with Count Basie.

(14:31) – How, why, and when did you become involved in the MSU Jazz Studies program?

(20:09) – How would you describe the MSU Jazz Studies program, and what makes it so great?

(21:07) – Who has influenced your art, and who have you enjoyed performing with?

(23:22) – Who are you listening to on Spotify these days?

(23:57) – What would you like people to know about Carmen Bradford?

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

Each clinic is directed by licensed attorneys who are members of the MSU Law faculty and staffed by law students who gain critical hands-on research and litigation experience. The clinics provide pro bono legal services and have won important cases for clients across the country.

MSU Law clinics cover the following areas of the law: immigration, family and juvenile law, housing, small business, public defense, Indian law, tax law, and first amendment.

In this new law clinic podcast series, MSU Today explores how our law clinics have won life-changing cases for clients and have given students incredible starts to successful legal careers. 

For today’s episode, we talk with Christina Wease, director of the Alvin. L. Storrs Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. 

Conversation Highlights:

(1:23) - Christina, tell us about your background. How did you get involved in tax law and the Tax Clinic?

(2:07) - What services and work do you provide at the clinic?

(3:05) - Tell us about a case or two that exemplifies the reach of your work.

(5:25) - Are there students who have chosen tax law as their career as a result of working in the tax clinic?  

(6:00) - How do you get students interested in the Tax Clinic? 

(7:36) - You are celebrating 25 years of operation. Why is this an important milestone?

(8:17) - How do you keep up with changing tax law?

(8:53) - Given laws and political changes in the state and the federal government, how might this change your work? 

(9:44) - As many Americans are getting ready to file taxes, do you have any tips or suggestions? 

(11:35) - How can people reach out to the clinic?

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

She came to MSU in 2006 and is a professor of painting and drawing in the Department of Art, Art History, and Design in MSU’s College of Arts and Letters.

On this episode of MSU Today, she talks about her path to MSU and what inspires and motivates her art. And she describes her piece commemorating the inaugural Spartan Bus Tour.

Conversation Highlights:

(0:33) – Dunn elaborates on her background and what motivates her art.

(1:53) – Were you always drawing as a child? When did you begin to express your heritage through your art?

(3:03) – When does the feeling hit you that you want to and can express your feelings in your way?

(5:40) – Did you feel a creative boost after coming to terms with how you want to express yourself through your art?

(6:37) – How and why do you come to MSU in 2006?

(7:39) – What do you enjoy about teaching?

(8:57) – How have you seen students change over the years?

(10:04) – When you create a piece, are there takeaways you hope people feel when experiencing your art?

(11:32) – How did you become involved in commemorating the Spartan Bus Tour?

(13:33) – How did you grasp the feeling and spirit of the tour?

(15:14) – How would you describe your art, and what would like people to know about Teresa Dunn?

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

Former Michigan Congressman and Governor and U.S. Ambassador to Canada Jim Blanchard joins the trio to discuss the impact of potential tariffs on Canada.

Conversation Highlights:

(1:07) – Grossmann on the politics of President Trump’s executive orders.

(2:54) – Which executive orders do you think will be the most impactful?

(3:46) – What is the reaction to the executive orders across the country? Is this what voters wanted?

(4:36) – Charley, what about the impacts on the economy?

(7:28) – Is the American economy working for most Americans?