U.S. Impact

The Beaumont Tower, clock tower, on the campus of Michigan State University is in the background. Over the image is a green filter and text that says: “Top 25 English Doctoral Program in U.S. for Minority Enrollment” and a Spartan helmet is below that text. Additional small text at the bottom of the graphic says: “Source: Diverse Issues in Higher Education | Top 100 Degree Producers: 2022-2023.”

MSU English Doctoral Program Ranks in Top 25 Nationally for Minority Student Enrollment

November 20, 2024

Diverse: Issues in Higher Education ranked Michigan State University’s English Doctoral Research Program in the Top 25 nationally for total minority student enrollment (No. 22) and all-races combined enrollment (No. 23) in 2022-2023 as part of its Top 100 Degree Producers ranking. “The discipline of English as a whole is enriched when our graduate student cohort reflects a vital diversity…

A picture of a woman in a white blouse with beaded accessories smiling and interacting with a young child wearing a blue vest. Another young child, dressed in bright blue regalia and a headband, dances nearby. Chairs and spectators are visible in the background.

Faculty / News / Religious Studies / Research / Scholarship / U.S. Impact

Tracing the Roots of Indigenous Science Fiction and Futurisms in America

November 18, 2024

A photo of a Star Wars stormtrooper that hangs in Blaire Morseau’s home epitomizes both her childhood passions and current research pursuits. The photo appears in a frame with a unique Southwest design, a favorite find bought from a Native artist when Morseau was a graduate student at the University of New Mexico. Now an Assistant Professor in the Department of Religious Studies at Michigan State University and an inaugural 1855 Professor of Great Lakes Anisshinaabe Knowledge, Spiritualities, and Cultural Practices...

MSU Assistant Professor Megan Dean wearing a blazer and glasses leans against the doorframe of a hoop house. Behind her are leafy green vegetables growing in rows.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion / Faculty / Health / News / Philosophy / Research / U.S. Impact

Ask the Expert: Making Holiday Meals More Welcoming

November 13, 2024

Holidays and celebrations often involve eating together with family and friends. But what does it mean to eat well together? How can food allergies, restricted diets, and even certain medications make sharing a meal more challenging for guests as well as hosts? Megan Dean, Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Michigan State University, explores the ethics of eating and brings to…

A scene from a play featuring a woman in a metallic copper costume, dancing with several performers around her. A spiral staircase and metal framework are in the background and vibrant lights illuminate the stage.

Alumni / Arts MSU / Faculty / Faculty / News / Performance / Production / Student / Theatre / U.S. Impact / Visual Arts, Arts Administration, and Performing Arts

MSU Theatre Spartans Unite Behind the Scenes of Pre-Broadway Show

October 30, 2024

Four Spartans – two alums, a faculty member, and a current student – played key roles in a pre-Broadway tryout of the new dance musical, Esther, presented by the A.D. Players at the George Theatre in Houston, Texas. This behind-the-scenes collaboration involving three generations of Spartans exemplifies the reach and power of the MSU Department of Theatre network and the…

Award / Diversity, Equity and Inclusion / Faculty / Faculty / News / U.S. Impact

College Receives National Award for Innovative Policies and Programs Supporting Non-Tenure-Track Faculty

October 10, 2024

Michigan State University’s College of Arts & Letters has been selected as a winner of the 2024 Delphi Award for its dedicated work to include non-tenure-track faculty as full partners through its Charting Pathways of Intellectual Leadership (CPIL) initiative. As a winner of this award, the College of Arts & Letters will receive $15,000 to continue its work to support non-tenure-track faculty in promoting student success.

A picture of a woman with shoulder-length brown hair and blue eyes, wearing a blue shirt with a pink flower on one of the arms.

Arts MSU / Award / Faculty / Faculty / Faculty Stories / News / Theatre / U.S. Impact

Theatre Professor Receives National Award for Excellence in Teaching and Mentorship

September 18, 2024

As the 2024 recipient of the Betty Jean Jones Award, Ann Folino White, Associate Professor of Theatre Studies at Michigan State University, joins the ranks of a select group of scholars honored by this prestigious national award for excellence in teaching and mentorship in theatre. Presented by the American Theatre and Drama Society (ATDS), an international body of scholars dedicated…

Alumni / Featured Alumni / News / Spanish / U.S. Impact

From Government to Google to Microsoft: MSU Alum Shares Her Spartan Success Story

July 23, 2024

Since graduating from Michigan State University in 2006 with a B.A. in Spanish, Lauyren Haight has earned a Juris Doctor degree and has led federal and global corporate investigations at the U.S. Department of Justice, the FBI, and Google. Much of her work has focused on civil rights and sexual harassment investigations. Currently, she works for Microsoft in Washington, D.C., as a Corporate Counsel and Employee Relations Investigator.

A woman wearing a black and white black polka dot patterned shirt stands in front of a colorful mural.

Faculty / Faculty / Faculty Stories / Health / News / U.S. Impact

Ask the Expert: How Are Mental Health and Wellness Connected?

May 17, 2024

Mental health has become a part of wellness discussions in schools, workplaces, and health care organizations. In higher education, there has been a greater focus on mental health as one component of wellness that supports students in learning and persisting through to graduation. LeConté Dill, Associate Professor of African American and African Studies at Michigan State University, finds her students…

A picture of a person with long blonde hair wearing a black dress.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion / Humanities-Prelaw / Student / Student / U.S. Impact

Humanities-Prelaw Student Named MSU’s 14th Udall Scholar

May 6, 2024

Kaylin Casper has been awarded the nationally competitive Udall Undergraduate Scholarship, becoming Michigan State University’s 14th Udall Scholar. Casper is Anishinaabe and a direct descendant of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. She is an Honors College junior double-majoring in Sociology in the College of Social Science and Humanities-Prelaw in the College of Arts & Letters. She…

A picture of a man in a black vest and blue shirt sitting in front of a computer.

Alumni / Arts MSU / Event / Featured Alumni / News / U.S. Impact

Theatre Alum and 20-Year Artist for ‘The Simpsons’ Chosen as Commencement Speaker for the College

April 24, 2024

Few television shows have left as indelible a mark on popular culture as The Simpsons, which is the longest running animated series, longest running sitcom, and longest scripted primetime series in the history of American television.Behind the scenes of this critically acclaimed series is a team of talented writers, artists, and animators who bring Springfield's vibrant characters to life. Among…