Overview
Michigan State University is committed to reflecting the rich diversity of its students and alumni in university experiences, initiatives, communications and interactions. The MSU Alumni Office (MSUAO) seeks to bring awareness to the university community’s diversity efforts by featuring content and stories supporting these communities.
Content will be changed out frequently, so you are encouraged to visit this page regularly. For more information about our content schedule or the MSUA diversity, equity and inclusion workgroup, view our commitments and goals.
MSU Releases Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Plan
After several months of work, MSU's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Steering Committee has released its DEI Plan for the university.
Faculty Voice: Building a Community Vision for Antiracism
Julie Libarkin (she/her) is a professor of environmental science in the College of Natural Science, where she runs the Geocognition Research Laboratory investigating how people perceive, understand and make decisions about the planet and human impacts. Currently, her research focuses on model-driven research design, community-engaged research and mentoring to address access, inclusion, equity and justice in STEM and academia.
Alumna Encouraging Readers to Become Leaders
MSU College of Education alumna Elizabeth Hatline '12 has started a Facebook group focused on diversity and inclusion in children's books. The group is for parents, caregivers and educators to have open dialogue and discussion about children's books that include any form of diversity and inclusion. Sharing of podcasts, websites and other resources are also appreciated.
Professor Honored for Anti-Racist English Language Teaching and Scholarship
April Baker-Bell, associate professor of English and African American and African Studies, and Mimi Henderson-Hudson, language arts teacher at Detroit Denby High School, have received two prestigious awards from Michigan State University honoring their inspired community-university partnership between MSU’s College of Arts & Letters English Education program and a network of high school English teachers and students in Detroit.
Join the Spartan Social Justice Movie Club
The Spartan Social Justice Movie Club encourages alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends to virtually connect with each other and discuss movies that matter related to social justice, history and societal issues. Participation in the online forum is free and all movie selections are available to stream on Netflix and/or Amazon Prime Video or may be available to borrow from your local library. The movie club discusses a new film every month. You can join at any time and do not have to participate in every viewing session.
Music for Social Justice Series
In the midst of the movement that began following the murder of George Floyd, faculty members in the MSU College of Music felt the need to speak out on issues of inequality. And they chose to do so through music with the video series Music for Social Justice. This powerful series features new performances by MSU artists with insightful, often moving comments from the artists themselves.
Diversity Torch: Alisha Phan
One of the reasons I chose MSU out of the universities I decided was because of the diversity and inclusion initiatives that Michigan State incorporates into their programming, academics, and student life. With the variety of clubs, courses, and people that I’ve met in East Lansing, it makes MSU an extremely special and unique place to be.
Support MSU's Efforts
Lesbian Bisexual Gay and Transgender Resource Center
The LBGT Resource Center offers scholarships and programs to students through the generous donations of Spartan alumni and friends. To invest in LGBTQA+ Spartans by donating to the Center, please visit MSU Online Giving.
Office of Cultural & Academic Transitions
The Office of Cultural and Academic Transitions (OCAT) constructs supportive cultural, social and educational communities that actively involve students in learning. OCAT supports individual students in their navigation of cross-cultural encounters, and in their own understanding, exploration and development of cultural identity.
Content Suggestions and Feedback
Conversations around diversity, equity and inclusion are essential and constantly evolving.
If you have feedback or a topic suggestion, please email Maria Giggy.