Letter from the Vice President and Chief Inclusion Officer
Greetings Spartans,
Welcome back, and I hope you had an enjoyable summer! As we begin the new academic year stronger together, I am pleased to share how we will continue to strengthen excellence for all through the ways we learn, work, support one another and contribute to the university’s mission.
Through stronger systems and initiatives designed to help all Spartans succeed, the Office for Inclusive Excellence and Impact, or IEI, and our campus partners offer several resources to support your success in the year ahead.
Resources and opportunities
IEI serves as a central resource for information and connections to inclusion-related programs, policies and resources throughout MSU.
This academic year, IEI is investing $253,000 in 41 projects through the Creating Inclusive Excellence Grants (CIEG) program. Since 2005, CIEG has supported projects university-wide that enhance the learning, living and working environment for students, staff and faculty.
The Diversity Research Network also begins a new chapter under Delia Fernández-Jones, Ph.D., who became director Aug. 16. DRN connects scholars from different disciplines and fosters research collaboration and exchange.
IEI offers educational programs and consultations throughout the year. Conversations on Antisemitism and Islamophobia, launched in 2023, brings MSU faculty experts and community members together to examine the history and current manifestations of antisemitism and Islamophobia through learning and dialogue.
This fall, we are expanding opportunities for Spartans to build relationships and strengthen communication across differences. MSU Foundations for Employee Excellence provides faculty and staff opportunities for reflection and dialogue, while Dialogues Across Difference helps students build relationships and develop skills for meaningful conversations.
Our Equal Opportunity Team also provides education, consultation and resources to support equal opportunity and compliant employment practices, including fall offerings.
MSU’s university-wide awards and commemorative programs are developed with the support of volunteer committees. Students, staff and faculty are invited to volunteer, helping recognize members of our community and commemorate important people and moments in our shared history.
MSU offers a range of resources and opportunities to help students, faculty and staff find support and build connections. The IEI Inclusive Resources page connects Spartans with resources throughout MSU, while the university’s Support Resources page provides a central point of connection for students seeking assistance.
Advancing institutional efforts
In spring 2026, MSU launched its inaugural Spartan Community Survey, the university’s first comprehensive climate assessment. More than 8,800 students, staff and faculty responded, helping establish a baseline for understanding experiences of belonging, engagement and treatment within our community. Results will be analyzed to identify strengths and opportunities and help inform future institutional priorities and planning.
As MSU advances its 2030 strategic plan: Excellence for Global Impact and its focus on access, opportunity and excellence, our responsibility is not simply to launch initiatives, but to understand their effect, learn from the experiences of our community and continue improving the systems people rely upon.
That is especially important in a changing environment. We must continue to respond thoughtfully to evolving requirements, emerging challenges and the changing needs of our students and employees while remaining grounded in our mission and values.
I invite you to explore the resources available through inclusion.msu.edu, find opportunities to participate and engage and help foster an environment where every Spartan has the opportunity to learn, contribute and succeed.
Best wishes for a rewarding semester and a fulfilling academic year!
Jabbar R. Bennett, Ph.D. (he/him)
Vice President and Chief Inclusion Officer