Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer's November Letter

November 3, 2022 - Jabbar R. Bennett, Ph.D.

To Our Campus Community:

During times of uncertainty, I find it helpful to remember what it means to be a Spartan.

Michigan State University is one of the nation’s premier land-grant institutions benefitting from the occupation of the ancestral and contemporary lands of the Anishinaabeg people. We are a top global university and the No. 1 public university for education abroad. Over 40 undergraduate and graduate programs rank in the top 25 nationally in the U.S. News & World Report. Furthermore, we boast a strong and diverse alum network and enrolled our most diverse incoming class in recent history.

I am reminded of the strength of our community from the warmth in numbers at the Coalition of Racial Ethnic Minorities reception to the recognition of the 30th anniversary of the Serling Institute, to MSU’s role in LGBTQIA+ history, the dedication of our WorkLife Office, and the retirement of valued community members who have advocated for and championed the work of diversity, equity and inclusion for decades.

This is our shared legacy and the foundation of MSU, which inspires me today. 

Here at Michigan State, we hold ourselves to the highest standards as representatives of this great institution. Being a Spartan is about delivering on our commitment through the MSU 2030 Strategic Plan, Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct Plan and DEI Steering Committee Report and Plan. 

I focus my energies here and every day on the tasks ahead – advancing MSU’s strategic priorities. I am proud of our accomplishments and thank executive and administrative leaders, members of my team, and partners like you for your commitment to advancing these efforts as we move forward together.

Kind regards,

Jabbar R. Bennett, Ph.D. (he/him)

Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer