DEI Bulletin: January 2023
January 9, 2023 - Ashley Zhou
Executive Updates
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources: Women in STEM event encourages community building
MSU Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer Jabbar R. Bennett, Ph.D., spoke at MSU’s Dec. 8 Women in STEM online program. Hosted by the colleges of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Engineering, Lyman Briggs and Natural Science, the free event was an inclusive opportunity for MSU alums and friends to share their perspectives and experience in STEM, offer words of wisdom and answer questions from participants.
MSUToday: MSU celebrates new Department of African American and African Studies space opening
On Nov. 17, MSU’s College of Arts and Letters held an official opening for the Department of African American and African Studies space. The 8,400-square-foot space is the first of its kind at MSU and is located on the second floor of North Kedzie Hall to maximize AAAS students, faculty and staff’s scholarship, creativity and activism. “AAAS plays a distinct and critical role in the education of our students and the generation of knowledge that is vital to our local and global understanding of key issues that impact the lives of all Spartans and global citizens,” said Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer Jabbar R. Bennett, Ph.D.
Institutional Diversity and Inclusion: University Communications and IDI launch Inclusive Communications Guide
In alignment with the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Report and Plan, University Communications and the Office for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion launched MSU’s Inclusive Communications Guide. Developed over months of research and engagement with MSU’s content experts and stakeholders, the guide aligns with several MSU resources and initiatives, including the MSU Editorial Style Guide, the International Studies & Programs Globally Inclusive Language & Images Webinar Series and the Name, Gender, Sexual Identity and Pronoun Data Policy.
Office of the Provost: Revised Religious Observance Policy announced by provost and vpcdo offices
On Dec. 20, in an email to MSU faculty and academic staff, Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Thomas D. Jeitschko, Ph.D., and Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer Jabbar R. Bennett, Ph.D., announced forthcoming revisions to the Religious Observance Policy in the spring semetser. The policy changes advance DEI Report and Plan recommendations. To support implementation of these requirements, the Office of the Provost maintains a Religious Observance Calendar resource webpage to identify major religious observation days.
DEI Happenings
MSUToday: MSU Native American Institute interim director shares Native American Heritage Month importance and ways to support
Kevin Leonard, interim director of the MSU Native American Institute and member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indian shares the importance of Native American Heritage Month and ways to support the Native community at MSU. “We’ve got to do a better job supporting our Indigenous community,” Leonard said for MSUToday. “We need your help to make MSU a safer, more inclusive place for Indigenous people.”
MSUToday: Native American Heritage Month events at MSU
During Native American Heritage Month in November, MSU recognized the sovereignty and governance of Michigan’s tribes. Numerous events were posted by the American Indian and Indigenous Studies program took place in and around East Lansing (Nkewjong) to honor North American Indigenous peoples' cultures, traditions and histories.
MSUToday: Patrick Forystek, veteran and director of Student Veterans Resource Center, shares experiences on Veterans Day
Director of Student Veterans Resource Center Patrick Forystek speaks on his experience as a veteran and works with military-connected MSU students. “One of the things that stood out here was the culture of support for our military-connected students,” Forystek said. “From military appreciation games through athletics to direct support from faculty, I can’t think of a single instance where I couldn’t find support for a student in need.”
Department of African American and American Studies: Black Girl Genius Week to celebrate Black women
Throughout the week of Nov. 10, Save Our Lives, Hear Our Truths hosted Black Girl Genius Week to celebrate Black girls and women through community building. MSU events ranged from online to in-person with talks and panels.
MSU Museum: Native Stars Exhibition opening to commemorate National American Indian Heritage Month
A collaboration with MSU Museum and Ziibiwing Center opened the Native Stars Exhibition on Nov. 11 in honor of National American Indian Heritage Month. Extending through March 15, 2023, the exhibition activates the use of the Ziibiwing Center’s Indigenous quilt collection.
MSUToday: Psychology professor shares World AIDS Day importance
Many believe that the HIV epidemic was a thing of the past, Ecological-community Professor Robin Lin Miller said. However, 650,000 people died due to AIDS, and 1.5 million people newly acquired HIV, according to the World AIDS Day 2021 report. For the past 37 years of Miller’s career, Miller has closely worked worldwide with communities of gay and bisexual men to study community-led responses to the HIV epidemic and bring an end to AIDS.
Institutional Diversity and Inclusion: APIDA/A Winter Celebratory brings together Greater Lansing APIDA/A community
MSU Asian Pacific American Student Organization (APASO) hosted the first annual Asian Pacific Islander Desi American and Asian (APIDA/A) Winter Celebratory bringing together MSU’s APIDA/A community and three local high schools. The event catered food from local restaurants and held activities in partnership with APASO groups.
Student Life and Engagement: OCAT hosts 20th annual Unity Dinner
The Office of Cultural and Academic Transitions (OCAT) served nearly 800 meals during the Thanksgiving holiday for MSU students who stayed on campus. With approximately 30 students attending the first dinner in 2003, the event has grown to a diverse community of MSU Spartans.
MSUToday: Staff member shares experience from Afghanistan
Former MSU Grain Research and Innovation (GRAIN) project scholar and College of Agriculture and Natural Resources’ dean’s office clerk Latifa Salangi, discusses her experience leaving Afghanistan following the 2021 Taliban overthrow of the government. “I can say that the GRAIN scholarship changed my life — and not just mine, but several other Afghan researchers too,” Salangi wrote for MSUToday. I hope one day I will be able to help other women and girls who struggle to achieve their rights as humans, like Afghan women do today who cannot go to school or get a job, and to change their lives for the better.”
American Indian and Indigenous Studies: 19th annual Indigenous Law Conference
Since 2015, the Indigenous Law and Policy Center in collaboration with the Tribal In-House Counsel Association, or TICA, has hosted the annual Indigenous Law Conference led by some of the most influential leaders working for tribal self-governance. The 19th annual conference returned to in-person in East Lansing to celebrate TICA’s 10th year.
Innovation, Art, Health and Research
MSUToday: MSU’s Combat Veterans Certificate Program, first of its kind
The MSU School of Social Work hosts the Combat Veterans Certificate Program, an online course with no textbook or lectures to immerse students in military life and culture. Program participants learn how to better understand combat veterans in assisting them best.
MSUToday: Assistant professor of graphic design elevates Iranian women, life, freedom protests through art
Assistant Professor of Graphic Design Parisa Ghaderi, Iranian scholar and artist in the United State, shares her experience on how the current protests on the death of Mahsa Amini in Iran have impacted her teaching and art. “As an Iranian woman, I have never been prouder of my Iranian sisters, who speak up, break their silence and fight for their rights,” Amini said. “This movement started by women and continues by men fighting shoulder to shoulder with women on the front line. This is a unique revolution as men are standing for women, and with women, and sacrificing their lives for reform.”
MSU Bioethics: Cornell, MSU research finds microaggressions negatively affect people with disabilities
Cornell and MSU researchers found how digital-interaction microaggressions affect people with disabilities' self-esteem and change how they use social media. “Online microaggressions have the ability to shape the understandings of disability for a lot of people who are not even involved in the situation,” co-author Megh Marathe, assistant professor of media, information, bioethics and social justice at MSU said in the article. “We’re very concerned about how it’s shaping the way the broader audience thinks about disability and disabled people.”
MSUToday: Q&A with College of Osteopathic Medicine professor on HIV/AIDS advancement
Peter Gulick, College of Osteopathic Medicine professor, has been studying HIV/AIDS since the early 1980s when the epidemic began. Gulick discusses the scientific community’s advancement in the research and treatment challenges and opportunities that remain in the present day.
MSUToday: Assistant professor of public health reimagined equitable access to care for diabetes
Assistant Professor of Public Health John M. Clements viewed trends in healthcare during three time periods within the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, minority communities with diabetes and chronic conditions had a difficult time accessing routine care.
MSUToday: Grant partnership supports girls’ education and biomedical sciences diversity in STEM
The MSU College of Veterinary Medicine and the Detroit International Academy for Young Women’s partnership was awarded a $10,000 grant from Purina, an animal nutrition company, to support aspiring young students’ interests in STEM. The partnership focuses on supporting veterinary professionals in underrepresented communities and creating a pathway for students working towards a veterinary medical education.
Technology at MSU: MSU EVPA, CIO Melissa Woo joins higher education’s digital future panel
Melissa Woo, Ph.D., MSU executive vice president for administration and chief information officer, joined other major research universities colleagues on The Chronicle of Higher Education’s panel discussion about The Higher Ed’s Digital Future. MSU’s transformation has provided the opportunity to address sustainability and energy conservation concerns on campus, Woo said during the panel.
MSUToday: MSU researcher leaves legacy through expertise, energy and empathy
Late MSU researcher Min Chen's creativity and skill brought seismic tomography images of Yellowstone volcano’s magma deposits into focus, revealing information on the amount of molten magma. Unfortunately, Chen’s unexpected death sent shockwaves throughout the earth science community, mourning the loss of her passion and expertise.
MSUToday: MSU Translation Center launches service encompassing over 20 languages
MSU launched the new Translation Center to meet the developing needs of interpretation services and high-quality translation. Anthony Grubbs, MSU Translation Center director, said the center will fill a gap in the MSU community’s translation and interpreting services.
MSUToday: Research collaboration between Black, Indigenous, People of Color artist collectives reimagine artmaking and education
Forms of Freedom: The Art and Design of Black and Indigenous Creative Public Pedagogies is a two-year research collaboration led by two MSU professors. The project was awarded a Racial Equity Research Grant and engages the work of three creative public pedagogy collections: The Aadizookaan, Fire in Little Africa and Saving our Lives, Hear Our Truths.
College of Arts & Letters: International collaboration project explores intersectionality and inclusion
“Race, Class, Gender and Sexuality in Africa: the History and Current Status of LGBTQ+ in Kenya,” a collaborative project led by College of Arts and Letters faculty Jonathan Choti and Danny Mendez, will bring Mumbi Machera and Babere Chacha, two Kenyan scholars whose teaching and research focus on the convergence of ethnicity, gender, class and more. Choti and Mendez with Machera and Chacha, will co-create design and deliver a curriculum in various cultural contexts and academic disciplines.
MSUToday: MSU program diversifies students entering medical school
Although coming from an underserved area in Detroit, Drew alum Deja Rice knew she wanted to become a physician after seeing her late mother suffering from sickle cell disease, where medical providers in hospital wards and emergency rooms were overworked. Rice’s educational journey was shaped by a unique partnership between the colleges of Human Medicine and Natural Science, a partnership that is increasing the diversity among the medical student community.
Recognition
EdScoop: MSU EVPA, CIO, Melissa Woo recognized among Scoop News Group’s 2022 EdScoop 50 Awards
The EdScoop 50 Awards recognize the most influential people in the higher education technology community between July 2021 through July 2022. Forty institutions, two university systems, seven private sector companies and one professional organization leader received awards recognizing people and projects of various sizes across the U.S. Executive Vice President for Administration and Chief Information Officer Melissa Woo, Ph.D., received the distinction of Higher Education IT Executive of the Year.
MSUToday: Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency ranks MSU ‘gold status’ for 7th time
Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency ranked MSU the highest ranking ‘gold status’ for dedication to student veterans and dependents using their GI Bill and other educational benefits for the 7th year in a row. MSU continues to show its services and infrastructure to show academic support to over 400 student veterans and 2,000 military-affiliated students.
Smithsonian: Environmental engineering professor featured on Smithsonian Science Education Center
Irene Xagoraraki, Ph.D., professor of Environmental Engineering research was featured in the Smithsonian Science Education Center e-book and curriculum. Dr. Xagoraraki speaks on her experience as a woman in STEM and how to ethically create a sustainable future using biotechnology.
MSUToday: Professor awarded Van Cleef Memorial by American Geographical Society
Joe T. Darden, professor emeritus in the Department of Geography, Environment and Spatial Science, received the seventh Van Cleef Memorial Medal from the American Geographical Society for his distinguished work in the field of urban geography. Dr. Darden’s research focused on “residential segregation and socioeconomic inequality by neighborhood socioeconomic characteristics in Metropolitan areas,” according to MSUToday.
Broad College of Business: Broad College strides towards diversity, equity and inclusion
The Broad College of Business has recently taken steps working towards diversity, equity and inclusion — outlined in one of five themes in the college’s Strategic Plan. The plan lists Broad College of Business’ various strategic themes and strategic initiatives.
MSUToday: Alexis Travis welcomed as assistant provost and executive director
MSU welcomed Alexis Travis as assistant provost and executive director to oversee MSU’s new University Health and Wellbeing division. Leading this 11-department division focusing on supporting faculty, staff and student health and wellbeing, Travis will provide leadership and strategic vision for the health and wellness strategy of MSU’s diverse student, staff and faculty.
MSUToday: Kellogg Biological Station awarded 2022 Advancing Equity Award
The Organization of Biological Field Stations honors MSU’s Kellogg Biological Station, or KBS, with the 2022 Advancing Equity Award from the Organization of Biological Field Stations. KBS was named a national and international role model for its commitment to a more inclusive environment.
MSUToday: School of Journalism and WKAR win coveted awards
Carleen L. Hsu and John J. Valadez, while teaching in Michigan State University’s School of Journalism (College of Communication Arts and Sciences) and Film Studies (College of Arts and Letters) produced the documentary “American Exile,” which recently won the Imagen Award for Best Documentary and the Ruben Salazar Award in Journalism: Excellence in Broadcast Journalism. The film uncovers the deportation of United States Veterans and aired nationally on PBS in November 2021.
MSUToday: MSU recognized in 2022 ALL IN Most Engaged Students for College Campus Voting
ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge recognized MSU as one of 394 colleges and universities as 2022 ALL in Most Engaged Campus for College Student Voting, following a midterm election record voter campus turnout. MSU engaged with voter-engagement efforts to increase student voter participation including offering rotating satellite offices with the city clerk’s office between Oct. 10 and Election Day to provide information and voter registration assistance across campus, setting up four voting campus locations on Election Day and more.
College of Education: Terry Flennaugh named interim associate dean of diversity, equity and inclusion
On Nov. 1, Associate Professor Terry Flennaugh will begin his role as MSU’s College of Education interim associate dean for diversity, equity and inclusion. “I am honored and humbled to accept this role,” Flennaugh said. “This is an exciting opportunity to reflect on what has been successful through the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and imagine new ways in which our college can be attentive to the needs of our community.”
MSUToday: Shawn Turner named WKAR Public Media general manager
Effective Dec. 1, Shawn Turner has been named WKAR Public Media’s general manager. Turner has authored book chapters on risk communication for national defense and information-processing and cognitive theories and published articles in USA Today, Newsweek, Spectra and CNN.com.
MSUToday: College of Agriculture and Natural Resources dean speaks on her path to MSU
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Dean Kelly Billenbah updated the college’s efforts in diversity, equity and inclusion to build a culture of community. “The biggest secret we probably have is people not knowing about all the diversity in our college,” Billenbah said. “I’m trying to encourage everyone in the college not to be so humble and to talk about all the great work that’s happening. We know we’re doing really good things, but we need to make sure other people know about them too.”
MSUToday: Human Resources faculty member ensures accommodation for employee success
Julie DeGraw, Human Resources Office of Employee Relations accommodations specialist, serves as the neutral party on behalf of MSU to bring forward disability-related accommodation requests in the workplace. Employees with disabilities seeking workplace accommodations first register with the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD) to provide documentation of a disability. DeGraw then works with the employee and an RCPD specialist to bring forward accommodation requests and complete a needs assessment.
MSUToday: Jiliang Tang presents 2022 J.K. Aggarwal Prize Lecture
MSU Foundation Professor of Computer Science and Engineering Jiliang Tang presented the 2022 J.K. Aggarwal Prize Lecture, an award to a scientist under the age of 40 whose contributions have made a major impact on the field. “I was very honored to be selected for this international honor,” Tang said. “I was able to introduce a novel perspective to understand and unify existing Graph Neural Networks. They have shown their power in graph representation learning, especially in biology and healthcare.”
International Studies and Programs: MSU artistic director works towards a more inclusive theater environment
Lynn Lammers, artistic director of the Transforming Theater Ensemble, brings diversity, equity and inclusion education into the art of theater. Lammers’ relationship with international theater students and theater abroad experiences give her a unique perspective as a member of a global community.
MSUToday: Inaugural endowed professor connects writing with culture through education
Kristin Arola, the inaugural Karen L. Gillmor Endowed Professor in Professional and Public Writing, teaches students to connect their sense of culture through writing. Created with the generosity of MSU graduate and former Ohio State Senator Karen Gillmor in 2019, the position recruits and retains outstanding faculty to support student excellence in professional and public writing.
MSUToday: Spartan Employee Spotlight features chemistry academic specialist
Hasina Saraha joined the Lyman Briggs College as a chemistry academic specialist in 2018, serving as an inspirational underrepresented faculty member. Amongst the more than 950 academic specialists, they serve in functional areas including teaching, advising, developing curriculum and more.
College of Social Science: Psychology professor named inaugural Diamond Distinguished Professor
Alexandra Burt, MSU Clinical Science professor and co-director of MSU Twin Registry, has been selected as the inaugural SSC Diamond Distinguished Professor in College of Social Science. Some of Dr. Burt’s many interests and work focuses on the role of neighborhood disadvantages, mitochondrial DNA, cyberaggression.
MSU Police: MSU DPPS hires first assistant of diversity, equity and inclusion
The Michigan State University Department of Police and Public Safety welcomed Jacquez Gray as its first assistant director of diversity, equity and inclusion. Prior to coming to MSU, Gray worked as a community director and strategic integration manager at MSU.
MSUToday: Felicia Wu appointed Society for Risk Analysis president-elect
Felicia Wu, John A. Hannah Distinguished Professor in the MSU departments of Food Science and Human Nutrition and Agriculture, Food and Resource Economics in MSU’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources has been appointed president-elect of the Society for Risk Analysis. SRA is an international society with leadership council members serving three-year terms.
Students/Alums
MSUToday: Indigenous student explores identity and healing through Anishinaabe beadwork
English senior Esme Bailey was awarded 2022 CREATE! Micro-Grant to design a set of jewelry consisting of a pair of earrings and a medallion as Anishinaabe contemporary beadwork. “My project is influenced by my culture as an Anishinaabekwe (Anishinaabe woman),” Bailey said. “Other than culture, my art is forever influenced by the generations of beaders, quill workers and artists that I come from.”
MSUToday: 50th annual Black Power Rally hosted by Black Students’ Alliance
On Nov. 13, MSU Black Students’ Alliance hosted the 50th annual Black Power Rally, or BPR, in the Wharton Center for Performing Arts. A tradition in the Black community at MSU since 1969, the BPR creates awareness of the history, everyday experiences and narratives of African and African diaspora through artistic forms.
MSUToday: First-generation student finds place on campus
First-generation political science sophomore Alyssa Konesky shares her experience entering MSU and how she now found her community. “Finding my community on campus has helped me feel like I have a place at MSU and that I have the power to influence future generations coming to college,” Konesky said for MSUToday. “Although I still struggle with understanding the professional world, I now have a support system that works with me to thrive and navigate my next steps as a student and advocate.”
MSUToday: Student finds purpose in new African American and African Studies major
Sophomore Amber McAddley was one of the first students to declare African American and African Studies as her major. “I think others should explore the AAAS program. Any person of any single major, if they were to take just one class within AAAS, they would learn a lot,” McAddley said. “It offers a strong foundation regarding heart and soul. There is no limit with this major and the topics it covers.”
Upcoming
Institutional Diversity and Inclusion: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 43rd Commemorative Celebration
Jan. 16, 2023, will mark the 43rd Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Celebration at MSU, an opportunity for the campus community to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King together. MSU Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer Jabbar R. Bennett encourages the Spartan community to participate in week-long events with the theme “Living Purpose, Promise and Perseverance Now.”
Institutional Diversity and Inclusion: Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Awards
On Feb. 13, after a one-year hiatus, the renamed Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Awards Ceremony returns to campus. The all-university award will recognize individual and team contributions toward advancing DEI at MSU. The celebration will take place at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center, featuring MSU’s Interim President Teresa K. Woodruff and followed by a reception. To view the 2022-23 award recipients and register visit inclusion.msu.edu.