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A smiling group poses indoors; a man stands between two women wearing light blue "scholar" sashes. A colorful "Thank you" sign is in the background.

Citizen Scholars First to Complete Reflective Leadership Certificate

May 5, 2026

When the College of Arts & Letters’ Citizen Scholars Program at Michigan State University introduced the Undergraduate Certificate in Reflective Leadership in the Arts and Humanities in 2023, the goal was to give students a structured way to translate their study of the arts and humanities into the kind of leadership the world is asking for: thoughtful, ethical, and grounded…

Artist Stacey Robinson and Professor Julian Chambliss sit onstage in conversation at the MSU Museum's Speculative Futures event. Behind them, a projected slide displays Robinson's "Black Kirby" artwork featuring a comic-style illustration. A packed audience watches from tables in the foreground.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion / English / Event / Faculty / Faculty / Lecture Series / News / Student / Student / WRAC / XA

Student View: An Evening of Afrofuturism at the MSU Museum

March 4, 2026

Aditi Gonuguntala is a fourth-year undergraduate student at Michigan State University majoring in Experience Architecture with a minor in Graphic Design. She also is a Communications Intern in the Office for Inclusive Excellence and Impact and University Communications and Marketing. In this Student View, she writes about the Speculative Futures: Afrofuturism and the Art of Stacey Robinson event hosted by the MSU Museum.

A woman in a cream period dress stands under a vibrant blue spotlight center stage with her palms turned upward. To her right is a wooden desk with a small lamp, and to her left is a bed. The background shows a digital projection of historical ledger lines and text.

Alumni / Arts MSU / English / Faculty / Faculty / Michigan Impact / News / Performance / Production

MSU Alum Sandra Seaton Reclaims History and Voice in World Premiere of ‘Sally: A Solo Play’

February 25, 2026

When award-winning playwright and Michigan State University alum Sandra Seaton returned to Wharton Center for Performing Arts for the world premiere of "Sally: A Solo Play," it was both a creative milestone and a homecoming. The production brought Seaton’s 15-year engagement with Sally Hemings to a stage that has long shaped her artistic life — one she calls “a home away from home.”

Woman with long brown hair who is smiling and wearing a green Michigan State long-slevee T-shirt.

English / News / Scholarship / Student

MSU’s Culture of Exploration and Donor Support Helps Fuel English Major’s Spartan Journey

February 18, 2026

Thanks to Michigan State University, Sloane Barlow isn’t exactly sure what’s next. But she’s ok with that. “I feel very confident in my skills to do whatever I want,” she said. “I'm not tied to any certain job or field, and that's because of the exploration that MSU has allowed me.” Originally from Rochester Hills, Michigan, Barlow is an Honors…

A group of nine College of Arts & Letters faculty members standing in two rows, smiling and posing for a group photo. They are dressed in business professional attire, including dark blazers, a teal jacket, dress shirts with ties, and a cream blouse. They stand on a patterned rug in a well-lit indoor lounge area featuring an orange seating bench, a wood-slatted ceiling, and warm pendant lighting. In the blurred foreground, the hands of a person holding a smartphone are visible, capturing the picture of the group.

AAHD / Art, Art History, and Design / English / Faculty / Faculty / Faculty Stories / Linguistics / News / Philosophy / Religious Studies / Spanish / Theatre

MSU Celebrates Promoted Faculty, Honoring 29 from the College of Arts & Letters

February 14, 2026

During the 2025-2026 academic year, 24 faculty members within the College of Arts & Letters received promotions. The success of these individuals was celebrated at special ceremonies hosted by the Office of the Provost. “On behalf of the College of Arts & Letters, I want to congratulate our faculty members who have earned promotions this year,” said Thomas Stubblefield, Dean of the College of Arts & Letters.

Rachel Zhai stands at a podium holding notes while delivering an oral presentation to an audience seated in a lecture-style room at the Diversity Research Showcase.

Art, Art History, and Design / Award / Diversity, Equity and Inclusion / English / Event / Film Studies / French / Humanities-Prelaw / Japanese / News / Research / Student / Student / Theatre

Arts & Letters and RCAH Students Earn Awards at Diversity Research Showcase

January 30, 2026

Students from the College of Arts & Letters and the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities (RCAH) earned top honors at the 9th Annual Diversity Research Showcase hosted by MSU’s Honors College. Thirteen students from the two colleges presented their research, with two RCAH students receiving first place in the poster presentation category and a College of Arts &…

A Polaroid-style photograph of Rachel Helzerman smiling and holding three Criterion Collection films in front of a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf filled with movies.

English / Film Studies / News / Student / Student / Study Abroad / Study Abroad

Toronto International Film Festival: Highlight of Academic Career for Film Studies Major

January 16, 2026

Rachel Helzerman is a Film Studies major from Ypsilanti, Michigan, who attended the 50th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in September 2025 as part of the education abroad program offered by the Film Studies Program at Michigan State University. She shares her experience with this program and why it is the highlight of her academic career.

A person in a blazer behind a podium on the "Jeopardy!" TV game show set. A blue curtain is in the background. The person is MSU Film Studies faculty member Peter Johnston.

English / Faculty / Faculty / Faculty Stories / Film Studies / News

MSU Film Studies Faculty Member Wins First Round in Second Chance Tournament on ‘Jeopardy!’

December 20, 2025

Michigan State University faculty member Pete Johnston fulfilled a lifelong dream when he first appeared on a July episode of “Jeopardy!” While Johnston came in second place in July, he took first place in the “Jeopardy!” Second Chance Tournament game Dec. 17 and also in the resulting two-game finals Dec. 18-19. He next competes in the Champions Wildcard game airing…

A person wearing a Michigan State University sweatshirt stands on a city street in front of a large white truck labeled “The Criterion Closet,” holding up a cup.

English / Film Studies / News / Programs / Student / Student / Study Abroad

Film Studies Student Attends Toronto International Film Festival Program for Third Time

December 9, 2025

Jonathan Urbin is a Film Studies major at Michigan State University who plans to graduate in Spring 2026. He attended the 50th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in September 2025 as part of the education abroad program offered by the Film Studies Program at Michigan State University. He wrote about his experience with this program in the following article originally published…

An adult man stands with his hands in his pockets in front of a rustic log cabin with red-trimmed windows and flower boxes. Green foliage hangs above him, and flowers grow at the base of the cabin.

Alumni / English / Featured Alumni / Michigan Impact / News / Research / U.S. Impact

English Alum Part of World’s Longest Running Predator-Prey Research Project

December 3, 2025

In support of the world’s longest running predator-prey research project, Michigan State University alum Jeffrey Holden makes an annual trip to Michigan’s Isle Royale. And it’s no walk in the park. Rugged off-trail trekking, searing heat, black flies, and decomposed moose carcasses are among the hazards borne by dozens of citizen scientists each summer on this remote island in Lake…