DEI Bulletin: September 2023

September 10, 2023 - Brigita Felkers

Executive Updates 

Institutional Diversity and Inclusion: Summer Leadership Institute offers opportunity to network and build momentum

On July 28, IDI hosted its 2nd Annual Summer Leadership Institute at the Kellogg Center. The summit brought together senior leaders and diversity, equity and inclusion practitioners to participate in a day of networking, thought leadership and workshoping. This year's theme focused on the philosophy of Ubuntu and featured a keynote by Shola Richards, an acclaimed author and speaker, sharing insight on "Ubuntu and Breaking Down Silos." In addition, the institute featured panelists from the Ubuntu Dialogues and workshop sessions focused on advancing DEI in higher ed.

Institutional Diversity and Inclusion: CIEG program set to distribute $339K across campus

IDI is distributing over $339K to provide pilot funding to 32 projects across campus through the Creating Inclusive Excellence Grants program. This year's award supports a range of topics from diversifying STEM and health curriculum to supporting projects in Tanzania and Detroit.

Institutional Diversity and Inclusion: EDEIA extends deadline to Sept. 22, students encouraged to apply

The Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Awards is accepting nominations through Sept. 22, 2023. The award recognizes the exceptional and innovative contribution of students, staff, and faculty in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in teaching, research, programming, service, community outreach and organizational change.

Institutional Research: Institutional comparisons dashboard is launched as first in a series

In early September, MSU's Institutional Research launched an interactive institutional comparisons dashboard in alignment with the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Report and Plan. The dashboard allows comparison of 2021 federal data based on fall enrollment and employee demographics, Pell Grant recipients, student or employee comparisons and undergraduate graduation rates. Additional dashboards are planned for release through the 2023-24 academic year.

EVPA: Name, Gender, Sexual Identity and Pronoun Data Policy released as University Policy

On July 27, Executive Vice President for Administration and Chief Information Officer Melissa Woo, Ph.D., and Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer Jabbar R. Bennett, Ph.D., announced the implementation of the Name, Gender, Sexuality Identity and Pronoun Data Policy as a university policy. The policy ensures that all internal and external/vendor systems collecting, maintaining and using identity and demographic data align with our commitment to inclusivity and respect.

WACSS is renamed to reflect diverse values

The Women's Advisory Committee for Support Staff is being renamed to the Workforce Action Committee for Spartan Staff. WACSS is the only committee for support staff and the name change recognizes the need to expand to improve campus alignment, promote inclusion and expand impact. Reporting to the Office of the Executive Vice President for Administration, the committee seeks to support building community connections, promoting equity, education, and advocacy; and elevating career advancement and leadership.

Inside Higher Ed: MSU Religious Observance Policy mentioned 

A recent study of 122 colleges and universities found that fewer than half of them have religious accommodation policies for students, and that most policies that do exist aren't especially comprehensive. MSU is mentioned as one of a few higher education institutions that have revised and broadened its policy.

DEI Happenings 

MSUToday: Fall enrollment includes most diverse students ever

Michigan State University's preliminary total fall enrollment topped 51,000 students with students of diverse backgrounds making up 27% of the student body. Enrollment among Asian students reached 9%, Hispanic/Latine students rose to 7% and students of two or more races increased to 4%. Black students represent the largest increase among diverse students, marking an 11% increase over last year.

MSUToday: Faculty Tracy Leahy shares insight on disability awareness

MSU’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator Tracy Leahy sheds light on the importance of accessibility and advocates for disability awareness. Disability Pride Month honors those with disabilities, recognizes their experiences and celebrates their achievements. It was first celebrated in 2015 on the anniversary of the signing of the ADA. As of July 26, the ADA celebrated its 33rd anniversary.

MSUToday: Assistant Professor Gayle Shipp shares the importance of cultivating a supportive breastfeeding culture

Gayle Shipp, assistant professor in the College of Human Medicine, gives insight into what breastfeeding is like in society and explains the importance of fostering a supportive culture about it. “Ideally, women would be supported throughout their pregnancy and postpartum – making their breastfeeding goals feasible. But this rarely occurs,” Shipp said.

State News: Resources for the most vulnerable time for sexual assault on college campuses

The ‘Red Zone’ is a phenomenon that refers to the period of time when college students are adjusting to living away from home, and during this time is where students are vulnerable to experiencing sexual assault. It is also the time when the number of reported sexual violence cases among firs-t and second-year students is higher. MSU offers a variety of resources for students and faculty, including ASMSU Safe Ride, Sexual Assault Healthcare Program, Center of Survivors, Safe Place and Employee Assistance Program.

MSUToday: Experts Emery Petchauer and Ruth Nicole Brown explain the significance hip-hop’s 50th anniversary

Emery Petchauer, professor in the Department of English, and Ruth Nicole Brown, Research Foundation professor and the inaugural chair of MSU's Department of African American and African Studies are considered experts on hip-hop culture. As hip-hop turns 50 years old, the two share knowledge of its influence and power.

MSUToday: Sejuti Das Gupta shares the importance of serving underrepresented groups in India

Sejuti Das Gupta, assistant professor at James Madison College, shares how her uncertain career path led to rewards in work focused on inequalities and inequities. Gupta participated in a TEDx talk to share her story with students and younger people looking to decide their career paths and find their callings.

International Studies and Programs: ISP celebrates 150-year milestone since MSU welcomed its first international students

MSU first welcomed international students to campus in 1873, just 18 years after the institution was founded. MSU will be celebrating this anniversary throughout the 2023-24 academic year in a variety of ways, from special events to storytelling to academic programming.

Innovation, Art, Health and Research

Pride Source: New reproach from the Sociolinguistics Lab supports that nonbinary people have their own language

Jack Rechsteiner and Betsy Sneller, Ph.D., have conducted research that suggests that nonbinary people might speak in their own type of language. After conducting interviews and further research, they found that nonbinary speakers do not speak in a way that can be split into the way a man is more likely to talk versus a woman, as seen through other research. Instead, they speak in a way that does not map onto the stereotypically gendered way of speaking.

Michigan Advance: Battle Creek farmer inspires change on the topic of racism in the world of agriculture

Three years ago, Devon Wilson created a plot that grew into a place of community, art and food that provides people with a sense of empowerment. Wilson wants his entire community to be connected to healthy food after seeing firsthand the impacts of Black and brown neighborhoods becoming food deserts and plans to create change.

MSUToday: Experts explain how college students with disabilities can prepare for the workforce after graduation

Connie Sung, professor and director of the master’s rehabilitation counseling program in the College of Education, and Marisa Fisher, associate professor in the college, share strategies for families to support and help their children with disabilities in navigating school and work. The two co-direct the MSU Center for Services, Training and Research for Independence and Desired Employment, or STRIDE, which supports and trains underserved people with disabilities.

MSUToday: Professor analyzes higher interest rates and how they can harm low-income nations

Cristina Bodea, professor of political science in the College of Social Science, is an expert on economic policy and issues relating to international and comparative political economy, gender and political economy and political conflict. Bodea explains how inflation and increased interest rates can affect countries all over the world, especially low-income nations.

MSUToday: Pandemic gains in broadband access for rural students are fading

A new study from MSU warns that gains made to address broadband and internet connectivity in the state's rural communities are starting to fade. “There are early indications that rural communities are at risk of losing the gains in internet connectivity rapidly achieved over the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Keith Hampton, director of research at the MSU Quello Center.

MSUToday: Judith Stoddart discusses how the arts influence belonging

In an "Ask the expert" article, MSU Vice Provost for University Arts and Collections Judith Stoddart, Ph.D., explains how the arts can help us feel more connected to the places we inhabit by looking at how the arts are interconnected and contextualized by MSU's campus."The arts ground MSU in multiple perspectives across time, cultures, identities, backgrounds; they celebrate the local and the global," said Stoddart.

MSUToday: $26M NIH grant addresses environmental influences on child health

Researchers at MSU, Henry Ford Health, University of Michigan, Wayne State University and MDHHS have received a $26 million federal grant from the National Institutes of Health, or NIH, for the second phase of the national research program ECHO, which stands for Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes. They will continue their study of how exposure to environmental factors during pregnancy and early childhood can impact health for a lifetime with a sample of mothers, infants and children.

MSUToday: $5.8M grant to address problem behaviors in Michigan preschoolers

College of Nursing researcher Jiying Ling is leading a new program to increase behavioral well-being in preschool-age children with the help of a $5.8 million National Institutes of Health grant from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. The program will begin with a pilot trial in February 2024 and will focus on school-based mindfulness, home-based mindfulness and school learning and home practice connection.

MSUToday: MSU receives partnership grant to support women in STEM

The National Science Foundation’s ADVANCE program has awarded MSU with a partnership grant to work in the building of equitable and inclusive work cultures for women in STEM. ADVANCE promotes diversity and advancement in the STEM workforce within higher education by providing funding that supports equity and inclusion of women in the field and mitigates the systemic factors that create inequities. The project, “STEM Intersectional Equity in Departments (SIEDS): A Partnership for Inclusive Work Cultures,” will be led by MSU’s Center for Gender in Global Context, or GenCen, and conducted in partnership with Wayne State University and Ohio State University.

Recognition

College of Social Science: stef shuster receives National Science Foundation award

Lyman Briggs College’s Associate Professor stef shuster, Ph.D., has received a CAREER grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation for their work in the social and historical aspects of reproductive health. Their project, “The Consequences of Efforts to Control Human Reproduction for Science and Medicine,” will look at how past efforts of controlling human reproduction have shaped the ways current science understands reproductive health.

College of Arts and Letters: Kelly Salchow MacArthur receives international award for voter participation campaign

Kelly Salchow MacArthur, professor of graphic design in the College of Arts and Letters' Department of Art, Art History and Design, is the 2023 recipient of the International Institute for Informal Design Editor’s Choice Award for her 2020 poster campaign “Get Out The Vote: Empowering the Women’s Vote.” The poster campaign was commended for its socially focused and collaborative approach to design. Her designs and poster campaign are included in the international exhibition touring 11 countries.

MSUToday: MSU earns ‘gold status’ from Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency for 8th time

The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency designated MSU 'gold status' for the eighth year in a row, a rank that recognizes higher education institutions committed to supporting the needs of veterans and military-connected students. Institutions are awarded Gold-, Silver- and Bronze-level status based on their services and programs.

College of Human Medicine: Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha named associate dean for public health

The position of Associate Dean for Public Health is a new position created to coordinate and expand the College of Human Medicine’s efforts to promote and protect the health of communities. Dr. Mona Hannah-Attisha has stepped into this role to focus on treating patients when they are ill and keeping people healthy.

Students/Alums

MSUToday: Office of Student Support and Accountability introduced the Care and Intervention Team

In August, the Office of Student Support and Accountability introduced the Care and Intervention Team. Prioritizing student safety, this new initiative uses a collaborative and proactive approach to identifying, preventing, assessing, intervening and reducing threats to the safety and well-being of the MSU community.

The Writing Center: Student shares experience of becoming disabled and navigating life in a new way

Fourth-year Abby Wisniewski tells of the struggles of transitioning to a new way of operating on a day-to-day basis after an accident left her in a wheelchair. “It’s important that we offer multimodal ways of communicating because not all modes of communication are accessible to everyone,” said Wisniewski.

MSUToday: Rizvi family members find home in both MSU medical schools

Syed Rizvi, a medical student in the College of Osteopathic Medicine, was the first of his family to attend MSU. Before he became a spartan, though, his mother Humaira Rizvi, M.D., had ties to the school as a clinical assistant professor with both of MSU’s medical schools. After Syed started medical school, his sister, Ramsha Rizvi, joined the College of Human Medicine. In her first days, Ramsha said “it already feels like home.”

MSUToday: Our Spartan

At the heart of campus stands The Spartan, the statue that has seen the triumphs of the community and become a symbol of pride. “I walked passed him daily to and from classes for four years, so I felt he was an old friend,” said Jennifer Somerlott, who graduated from MSU in May of 1994.

MSUToday: Graduate shares what the Spartan statue means to MSU journey

Michael Nyika Andrew, MD, M.P.H., attained his Master's in Public Health and Doctorate in Medicine from the College of Human Medicine in 2020. After his mother’s untimely passing, the Andrew family moved to the United States and found a new home in East Lansing and MSU. “I hope my journey inspires those who once gazed upon The Spartan statue, pondering the same thoughts that once occupied my mind,” said Dr. Andrew.

MSUToday: Student athlete reflects on balancing school and football as graduation approaches

Sam Edwards is a fourth-year completing his degree with honors in political theory and constitutional democracy, and international relations at James Madison College. When not in the classroom, Edwards plays for the MSU football team as a linebacker. “The diversity that exists among my fellow teammates is vast. Whether I am on the field or in the weight room, I am part of a brotherhood comprised of people from all different parts of the country, who come from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds who represent different races and practice different religions. We come from a range of lived experiences and, still, we share a common goal,” Edwards said.

MSUToday: Students make history and set standards for women in the Spartan Marching Band

Samantha Barringer, fifth-year, and Lacy Jewell, fourth-year, are both music education majors in the College of Music and members of the Honors College. The two are drum majors for SMB, the second time in history that two women lead as drum majors. The first time was in 2020, when Barringer first joined.

Upcoming

College of Arts and Letters: MSU Muslim studies professor co-produces groundbreaking film on 9/11

Mohammed Khalil, director of the Muslim Studies Program, co-created the documentary "American Jedi: The Salman Hamdani Story" on heroism and one mother's struggle to honor her son and break down barriers for Muslim Americans in the post-9/11 world. WKAR Public Media will screen the film on Sept. 14, 6:30 p.m.

Chicano/Latino Studies: Partnership with Michigan Hispanic Commission brings free Ballet Naplanta performance to campus for National Hispanic Heritage Month

In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, Chicano/Latino Studies in partnership with the Hispanic/Latino Commission of Michigan and various MSU partners is bringing the New York City-based Ballet Nepantla to the Wharton Center for a free performance on Sept. 15 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. The company will perform Mística, which tells the stories of ancients through modern choreographic renditions and includes performances in black light, evocative of Día de Muertos. The program will conclude with a panel discussion following the performance on the significance of Latinx arts.

African Studies Center: Ubuntu Dialogues Gathering session information is released

The program is designed as a cohesive experience for students, scholars, practitioners, and more to learn interdisciplinary, intergenerational and transcontinental dialogues with Indigenous and Ubuntu practitioners. Registration is now open for various sessions from Sept. 25 to Sept. 29.

MSU Finance and Human Resources: Real talk about race and mental health event

MSU Finance, MSU Human Resources and TIAA are bringing Doyin Richards, founder of the Anti-Racism Fight Club for a conversation about race and mental health on Oct. 3, at 5:00 p.m. Doyin Richards is a best-selling author, TEDx speaker, and anti-racism facilitator for corporations across the globe. “Real Talk About Race & Mental Health,” will discuss how we all must change how we think, how we love, and how we fight to eradicate racism in the workplace and beyond.