The Green and White Council at Michigan State University includes some of Michigan’s foremost business and civic leaders coming together to champion bold initiatives that amplify MSU’s role as Michigan’s state university and address the state’s biggest challenges. The Council is one of President Guskiewciz’s signature initiatives.
Harnessing MSU’s distinctive assets and the unparalleled expertise of its members while focusing on what matters most for Michigan, the Council will:
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?
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MSU Shares is a fundraising campaign to help local charities provide services to students and residents right in our own community. Donations from faculty, staff and students support charities that serve more than 120,000 people annually in our tri-county region. With the assistance of the United Way, employee volunteers from across campus seek donations from their peers and help spread awareness of this annual campaign.
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.
Michigan State University Spartans Head Basketball Coach Tom Izzo met with the media on October 16 to preview the coming college basketball season.
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.
Michigan State University President Kevin Guskiewicz delivered his 2025 State of the University address at the faculty investiture on September 30, 2025.
SUMMARY KEYWORDS
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 ...
Michigan State University has a new way for students, faculty, staff and visitors to get around campus for free while also contributing to the future of mobility research.
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.
David Ortega is Professor and Noel W. Stuckman Chair in Food Economics & Policy in the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics at Michigan State University.
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.
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 Guskiewicz, 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 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...
The Michigan State University College of Law is home to eight law clinics, each specializing in a public service area of the law that provides professional legal counsel to the most vulnerable people in society.
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.
Michigan State University Gymnastics Coach Mike Rowe and All-American Spartan gymnast Sage Kellerman join Russ White on this episode of MSU Today. They say gymnastics should be fun.
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...
Thomas Stubblefield is the new has dean of the College of Arts and Letters (CAL) at Michigan State University, effective July 1, 2025.
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...
Matthew Daum named dean of MSU’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and associate provost
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...
Uncommon Will in Action: A Record Year for a Far Better World
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 Michigan State University College of Engineering has launched its new Technology Engineering program. (TechE) [pronounced Tech – “E”]
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.
“MSU helps students learn to pivot, persevere, and overcome challenges.”
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.
State of the State is the monthly round up of policy and research for the state of Michigan from Michigan State University’s Institute for Public Policy and Social Research (IPPSR). Matt Grossmann and Arnold Weinfeld from IPPSR are joined by economist Charley Ballard to discuss the latest in politics and the economy.
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.
In a bold demonstration of philanthropic leadership and long-standing commitment to Michigan State University, the MSU Research Foundation has designated $75 million over the next eight years to support the university’s comprehensive campaign, Uncommon Will, Far Better World.
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.
New Michigan State University Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics J Batt was introduced to Spartan Nation at an introductory press conference on June 4 in the Greg and Dawn Williams Lobby of the Tom Izzo Football Building on the MSU campus.
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.
J Batt is Michigan State University’s new vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics.
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?
(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.
Eric Olmscheid is executive director of Michigan State University’s Wharton Center for Performing Arts.
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.
Michigan State University President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D. has selected Laura Lee McIntyre as MSU’s next provost and executive vice president for academic affairs following a comprehensive, national search.
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.