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University climate survey

Michigan State University is committed to cultivating a culture of safety, satisfaction and trust that enables every student, staff and faculty member to thrive. The refreshed MSU 2030: Excellence for Global Impact strategic plan reaffirms our land-grant values and advances a clear, future-focused vision for access, opportunity and excellence for all. Understanding how our community experiences MSU is essential to realizing these commitments.

The 2026 university climate survey is a university-sponsored initiative designed to help us gauge our progress and identify where continued effort is needed. This work calls for shared responsibility and collective participation. By engaging in this process together, we take an important step toward strengthening our campus culture and ensuring that MSU remains a place where every Spartan can succeed.

PROJECT TEAM

Jabbar R. Bennett, Ph.D., Vice President and Chief Inclusion Officer (Sponsor)

BJ Abrams, J.D., Ph.D., Assistant Vice President (Manager)

Terry Frazier, Ph.D., Consultant (Support)

Florensio Hernandez, Outreach and Engagement Manager (Coordinator)

Henry Mochida, Inclusion Communications Manager (Support)

Meagan Treadway, Ph.D., Michigan American Council on Education Fellow (MI-ACE Fellow)

PURPOSE

To help build a culture of safety, satisfaction and trust that supports the success of all Michigan State University students, staff and faculty

OBJECTIVES

  1. To identify challenges and associated root causes, that adversely impact the success of MSU students, staff and faculty
  2. To develop recommendations and specific actions that will support the success of MSU students, staff and faculty
  3. To provide feedback to, and hold institutional leadership accountable for efforts aimed at nurturing overall health and wellbeing

KEY DATES

  • October - February: Instrument finalization
  • March 9 - April 3: Data collection
  • Summer 2026: Initial data review
  • Fall 2026: Survey report, action planning teams convene

COMMITTEES

  • Oversight Committee

    Jabbar R. Bennett, Ph.D., Vice President and Chief Inclusion Officer (Chair)

    BJ Abrams, J.D., Ph.D., Assistant Vice President, Inclusive Excellence and Impact

    Titus Awokuse, Ph.D., Vice Provost and Dean, International Studies and Programs

    Dan Bollman, Vice President for Strategic Infrastructure Planning and Facilities

    Kwesi C. Brookins, Ph.D., Vice Provost for University Outreach and Engagement

    Bethan Cantwell, Ph.D., Assistant Provost, Institutional Research

    Pero Dagbovie, Ph.D., Vice Provost for Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies; Dean of the Graduate School

    Rebecca DeVooght, Vice President for Government Relations

    Donna Donovan, J.D., Associate Vice President for Human Resources

    Lisa A. Frace, MBA, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

    Douglas Gage, Ph.D., Vice President for Research and Innovation

    Vennie G. Gore, MBA, Executive Vice President for Administration

    Emily G. Guerrant, Vice President and Chief Communications Officer

    Jim Hintz, Ph.D., Vice President for Student Affairs

    Norman Hubbard, MBA, Senior Vice President for Health Sciences

    Mark Largent, Ph.D., Vice Provost, Undergraduate Education

    Teresa Mastin, Ph.D., Vice Provost and Associate Vice President for Faculty and Academic Staff Affairs

    Laura Lee McIntyre, Ph.D., Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

    Brian Quinn, J.D., Vice President of Legal Affairs and General Counsel

    Laura Rugless, J.D., Vice President for Civil Rights and Title IX Coordinator

    Kim Tobin, Ph.D., Vice President for University Advancement

    Estrella Torrez, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Residential College in the Arts and Humanities

    Alexis Travis, Ph.D., Assistant Provost and Assistant Vice President, University Health and Wellbeing

    Quentin Tyler, Ph.D., Director, MSU Extension, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

    Mike Yankowski, Chief of Police and Executive Director of Public Safety

  • Planning Committee
    • Associated Students of Michigan State University (ASMSU)
    • Center for Gender in Global Context (GenCen)
    • Coalition of Racial and Ethnic Minorities (CoREM+)
      • Asian, Pacific Islander, Desi-American and Asian Faculty and Staff Association (APIDA/AFSA)
      • Black Faculty, Staff and Administrators Association (BFSAA)
      • Chicanx and Latinx Association (ChiLA)
      • Educating Anishnaabe: Giving, Learning and Empowering (EAGLE)
      • Employee Pride and Inclusion Coalition (EPIC)
      • Middle East and North African-Faculty Staff Association (MENA-FSA)
    • Council of Racial and Ethnic Students, and Council of Advocacy and Marginalized Students (CORES and CAMS)
    • Faculty Senate
    • Hillel Student Center
    • Muslim Studies Program
    • Office of the President
    • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator
    • Athletics
    • Human Resources (HR)
    • Inclusive Excellence and Impact
    • President’s Advisory Committee on Disability Issues (PACDI)
    • Office of the Provost
      • Council of Diversity Deans (CODD)
      • Faculty and Academic Staff Affairs (FASA)
        • Academic Specialist Advisory Committee (ASAC)
        • Faculty Excellence Advocates (FEAs)
      • Institutional Research (IR)
      • International Studies and Programs (ISP)
      • The Graduate School
        • Council of Graduate Students (COGS)
      • University Health and Wellbeing (UHWB)
        • Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS)
        • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
        • Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD)
      • Undergraduate Education
    • Serling Institute
    • Student Affairs
      • Inclusive Access and Belonging
      • Inclusive Campus Initiative (ICI)
      • Residence Education and Housing Services (REHS)
    • Women of Color Community (WOCC)
    • Women of Color Initiative (WOCI)
  • Subcommittees

    Marketing and Communications Subcommittee

    Leads: Henry Mochida, Manager, Inclusion Communications; Meagan Treadway, Ph.D., MI-ACE Fellow

    Objectives

    1. To support the branding and socialization of the survey instrument
    2. To inform the content and cadence of key pre-, live and post-survey updates
    3. To assist in driving participation and completion with confidence

     

    Incentives and Community Engagement Subcommittee

    Leads: Terry Frazier, Ph.D., Consultant; Florensio Hernandez, Outreach and Engagement Manager

    Objectives

    1. To consider incentives that may drive participation among target audiences
    2. To explore sponsorship of incentives by MAUs, student clubs/organizations, and employee groups
    3. To assist in driving participation and completion with confidence

     

    Data Analysis and Action Planning Subcommittee 

    Leads: BJ Abrams, J.D., Ph.D., Assistant Vice President; Terry Frazier, Ph.D., Consultant 

    Objectives

    1. To consider how data could be sorted, analyzed and reported
    2. To determine the structure and charge of Action Planning Teams
    3. To develop recommendations leading to actionable outcomes
For questions or to provide feedback, email inclusion@msu.edu.