Welcome to our inaugural monthly newsletter, which will keep you informed about MSU's student success initiative.
MSU Student Success Themes
It is incumbent on all of us who work at MSU to make sure we create realistic pathways so that our students from all backgrounds can meet the learning objectives the faculty have established for MSU programs.
We have grouped our student success activities into four major themes: Go Green, Go 15; Spartan Pathways; Building Inclusive Communities; and Spartan Identity.
67 Students Receive Spartans Will Completion Grants
This month MSU gave out the first cycle of its Spartans Will Completion Grants to 67 low-income undergraduate students. These grants are part of a $4 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Great Lakes Higher Education Guarantee Corporation that MSU is participating in as part of our membership in the University Innovation Alliance (UIA).
MSU Uses $1.3M NSF Grant to Improve College and Workforce Readiness
Michigan State University will use a $1.3 million grant from the National Science Foundation to help more low-income and minority high school students enroll in college.
MSU Joins with Other Universities to Improve Graduation Rates for Lower Income Students
Michigan State University and 10 other public-research universities have committed to improving graduation rates for all students, calling it the biggest problem facing American higher education.
The Academic Advancement Network supports student success at Michigan State University especially through its educator development resources and workshops on teaching and learning. AAN has a newly designed website at http://aan.msu.edu, making it easier for faculty, academic staff, advisors, and academic administrators to find resources and workshops for ongoing professional development.
Spartan Success Stories
Pre-College
Pre-College Initiative Helps Students Succeed in Getting to College and Through College
In November 2016, Michigan State University joined a Grand Rapids-area community initiative to increase the number of students from underrepresented groups entering and graduating from Michigan colleges.
Advertising junior Brittany Thomas had an incredible networking experience in September. ComArtSci Assistant Professor Dr. Holtz recognized Thomas's strong work ethic, drive and passion for her advertising studies and nominated her to attend the Multicultural Talent Pipelinein New York City.
Grad Student Issac Osei-Bonsu Wins Conference Award
Isaac Osei-Bonsu won a poster award at the 2017 "Feed the Future" Legume Innovation Lab conference this past summer, which took place in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Osei-Bonsu's oral and poster presentations focused on his research to improve photosynthetic performance in cowpea crops that are sensitive to heat stress, an important breeding goal.
Flintoons: MSU Team Wins National Award for Helping Flint Teachers Address Lead Poisoning
As a school administrator in Genesee County, Melody Strang felt the effects of the Flint water crisis, was concerned for students close to her district, and experienced anger that motivated her to help.
New Excel Network Bridges Experiential Learning and Career Services
Students in the College of Arts & Letters have a new network to tap into, one that will enhance their MSU education, accelerate their potential, and help them chart a successful path to a meaningful career.
It's called The Excel Network, a central space within the College designed to prep students for their careers and post-college life, helping them gain real-world experience to give them a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
