Activating talent for Michigan and beyond
To commemorate another successful academic year, I joined other university leaders in congratulating more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree graduates at spring commencement activities. That’s a lot of talent moving into
careers or continuing to pursue educational goals. About two[1]thirds of our bachelor’s degree earners who start their careers shortly after leaving the university will do so in Michigan.
Making Michigan State University an even more impactful talent activator for the state and beyond is imperative and drives many of our strategies and leadership initiatives. It’s also an important focus area for our comprehensive campaign. The pace of technological and economic change continues to challenge us to prepare students not only for today but for the careers of tomorrow — some of which we might only scarcely imagine.
Over the past year, I’ve launched several initiatives aiming to make MSU an even greater talent activator. They start with seeking the brightest students through the new Joseph R. and Sarah L. Williams Scholarship, which offers full-ride scholarships — including stipends for experiential education such as internships and education overseas — to 30 incoming students.
We’re broadening the pipeline into Michigan State through other means, including increasing our focus on community college transfer students. Our growing Envision Green partnership with Lansing Community College, for example, offers dedicated academic counseling and other services to students seeking to move up to a bachelor’s degree. We hope to develop similar transfer relationships with other community colleges in Michigan.
We continue to grow our supportive academic services to better ensure students’ success. Our First-Gen Center, for example, will aggregate supportive programs for those who are the first in their families to attend college, ensuring they have the resources and guidance they need to learn, thrive and graduate from Michigan State.
To better ensure that our general education curriculum reflects the knowledge and skills graduates will need as we head toward the middle of the 21st century, our provost office and faculty are conducting a review of the general education curriculum.
And, to gain expert guidance for our broader educational program at Michigan State, I recently appointed our Green and White Council, a group of business, government and other leaders. The council will help us better connect talent with the important industry sectors driving the state’s economy by refining our efforts to meet current workforce demands and anticipate emerging industry needs. It will connect Spartans with meaningful careers in-state and unleash MSU’s assets to drive innovation.
I’m charging the council to pursue initiatives that are short, bold, impact[1]driven, feasible, sustainable and, most importantly, uniquely MSU.
Those are just some of our initiatives that will make Michigan State an even more impactful source of career-ready talent for communities here and around the world. University Advancement and our alumni groups offer many ways for you to support such efforts, and we’re grateful for your continued engagement with your alma mater.
Go Green!
Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D.
PRESIDENT
PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF KINESIOLOGY