Global competitors have incentivized the semiconductor manufacturing industry to the point that the U.S. share of commercial semiconductor manufacturing has declined 25 percent in the last 30 years, says Nelson Sepulveda, professor of electrical and computer engineering in MSU’s College of Engineering. To increase our competitiveness in the field of semiconductors, the CHIPS Act was passed by Congress in July 2022 with the goal of strengthening domestic semiconductor manufacturing, design, and r...
Dec 06, 2023•15 min•Season 3Ep. 136
Matt Grossmann, Charley Ballard, and host Arnold Weinfeld discuss Michigan and national politics, policy, and the economy on the monthly State of the State podcast from MSU’s Institute for Public Policy and Social Research ( IPPSR ). The trio’s guest this month is Nick Pigeon, executive director of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network . It’s a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that seeks to shine the brightest light possible on the role of money in Michigan politics. Conversation Highlights : ...
Dec 05, 2023•30 min•Season 3Ep. 135
The MSU Water Alliance brings together experts across the University to push the boundaries of discovery and find solutions to water-related challenges through research, education, and engagement with communities and industries. It’s the Water Alliance for Teaching, Engagement and Research. Joan Rose is the Homer Nowlin Chair in Water Research at MSU. Jo Latimore is the director of the MSU Extension Center for Lakes and Streams. Amber Pearson is an associate professor in MSU’s Charles Stewart Mo...
Dec 01, 2023•19 min•Season 3Ep. 134
MSU alumnus Devon Akmon is the director of the MSU Museum . Topics include the MSU Museum becoming a vital “third space” for students, being a catalyst for interdisciplinary teaching, learning, and research, and serving as a creative “collaboratory” for campus. Conversation Highlights : (0:25) – Devon describes the “whirlwind rethinking of our strategic direction and solidifying of our position on campus” since he arrived in 2021 . (0:57) – What challenges and opportunities did Covid present to ...
Nov 29, 2023•14 min•Season 3Ep. 133
Jonathan Smith, who has led Oregon State to new heights during his tenure over the past six seasons, has been named Michigan State University’s 26th head football coach. Smith was introduced at a press conference on campus on November 28. Press Conference Highlights : (0:00) – Spartans Athletic Director Alan Haller’s opening comments (5:31) – Coach Smith’s opening comments (13:52) – Are you going to study the history of Spartan Football and is that important? (14:30) – How hard was it to leave y...
Nov 29, 2023•23 min•Season 3Ep. 132
Kari Kammel is the director of MSU’s Center for Anti-Counterfeiting and Product Protection (A-CAPP) in the College of Social Science and an adjunct professor in Michigan State University’s College of Law. She is an expert on legal issues relating to trademark counterfeiting, e-commerce, social media liability for trademark counterfeiting and intellectual property legal issues. Saleem Alhabash is a professor in the Department of Advertising and Public Relations at MSU’s College of Communication A...
Nov 17, 2023•46 min•Season 3Ep. 131
One of Michigan State University’s most dominant teams is not in the Athletic Department. It’s our perennial national powerhouse debate team . Director of Debate Carly Watson, Coach Will Repko, and team members Joanna Gusis and Miaomiao Zi discuss how a debate competition works. They talk about the skills that make one a good debater and about why MSU is such a debate power. How and when did this happen? They talk about how debate skills serve students throughout their lives. And they reinforce ...
Nov 16, 2023•24 min•Season 3Ep. 130
We’re exploring the topic of artificial intelligence on this episode of MSU Today. We are we now? And what’s on the horizon? The panel featured Bill Hart-Davidson, associate dean of graduate studies in the College of Arts and Letters at Michigan State University and senior researcher at WIDE , and Anjana Susarla, Omura-Saxena Professor of Responsible AI in Michigan State University’s Broad College of Business. Conversation Highlights : (0:33) – What is artificial intelligence? (3:07) – What’s go...
Nov 16, 2023•32 min•Season 3Ep. 129
Bert Cregg is a professor of Horticulture and Forestry in Michigan State University’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Cregg talks about the Christmas tree industry’s place in Michigan’s economy and says there are plenty of trees available for those who want them this season. He talks about the latest MSU research on Christmas trees and says that climate change is likely already impacting the industry. And he shares his tips for selecting, caring for, and properly disposing of a rea...
Nov 14, 2023•19 min•Season 3Ep. 126
Three Spartans talk about holiday food trends, the history and evolution of eating, the importance of knowing where our food comes from, the problem of food waste, food safety tips, and sustainable food systems. Sheril Kirshenbaum hosts PBS’s Serving Up Science, Kurt Kwiatkowski is corporate executive chef for Gordon Food Services, and Helen Veit is an associate professor in MSU’s Department of History. Conversation Highlights : (1:05) – “One thing I always tell my students is that the way we ea...
Nov 14, 2023•33 min•Season 3Ep. 128
Michigan State University alumnus and donor Mat Ishbia is the CEO and chairman of United Wholesale Mortgage , majority owner of the NBA’s Phoenix Suns and WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, and a member of the Spartans 2000 national champion basketball team. Ishbia talks about what attracted him to MSU coming out of high school and about how his time at MSU impacted him. He talks about his special relationship with Tom Izzo and shares his thoughts on the changing landscape of college athletics. He shares h...
Nov 14, 2023•12 min•Season 3Ep. 127
Matt Grossmann and Arnold Weinfeld from Michigan State University’s Institute for Public Policy and Social Research ( IPPSR ) discuss the latest in Michigan and national politics, policy, and the economy on the State of the State podcast, a monthly round up of policy and research for the state of Michigan. Peter Berg joins the conversation to talk about the UAW strike and its implications moving forward. Berg is a professor of employment relations and director of the School of Human Resources an...
Oct 13, 2023•32 min•Season 3Ep. 125
Hall of Fame Michigan State University Spartans Men’s Basketball Coach Tom Izzo previews the 2023/24 season. In his opening comments, Izzo says he’s “excited to be back,” and he says he loves his team. He says he’s proud of his blue-collar program, too. Conversation Highlights: (3:37) – “We’re a week away from Midnight Madness. It’s important that we reengage after a lot of what we’ve been through the last couple years.” (4:55) – “We also have two exhibition games. (6:26) – “I have seen our team...
Oct 04, 2023•56 min•Season 3Ep. 124
Michigan State University Interim President Teresa K. Woodruff joins Russ White on MSU Today to elaborate on topics she covers in her September 2023 Spartan Community Letter, which you can read by clicking on the communications tab at president.msu.edu . Conversation Highlights : (1:00) – “That’s a really tremendous number of students who are placing their educational goals and aspirations with us at Michigan State.” (2:26) – “Any university worthy of being called great needs a rich foundation i...
Sep 29, 2023•12 min•Season 3Ep. 123
This month’s State of the State podcast from Michigan State University’s Institute for Public Policy and Social Research has Matt Grossmann and Arnold Weinfeld from the institute and emeritus economics professor Charley Ballard discussing the state of the national and Michigan economies, the UAW contract strike against the Big 3 automakers, and a possible government shutdown. Keith Hampton, director of academic research at Michigan State University’s Quello Center, joins the group to discuss a n...
Sep 15, 2023•32 min•Season 3Ep. 122
The Michigan State University Research Foundation has been enhancing research, encouraging innovation, supporting entrepreneurship, and facilitating economic development through modern commercialization practices, venture creation activity, and innovation partnerships at Michigan State University and across Michigan for 50 years. Executive Director David Washburn reflects on the foundation’s history, mission, and impact and on challenges and opportunities ahead for the next 50 years. Conversatio...
Sep 14, 2023•20 min•Season 3Ep. 121
Michigan State University’s chapter of the Society of Women Engineers is celebrating its 50th anniversary of recruiting, supporting, and retaining women in the engineering profession. Three Spartan Engineers discuss the evolution of women in engineering, challenges and opportunities ahead in the next 50 years, and share their advice for young women interested in STEM fields. The panel discussion includes Dayana Villagran, ’21 alum, General Motors mechanical engineer ; Dr. Laura Genik, Applied En...
Sep 13, 2023•22 min•Season 3Ep. 120
Michigan State University Interim President Teresa K. Woodruff elaborates on topics she covers in her August 2023 Spartan Community Letter, which you can read by clicking on the communications tab at president.msu.edu . Conversation Highlights : (1:22) – “It’s an exciting time. I was at a meeting this summer, and someone was saying they’re despairing for the future. And I said I’m not because of our MSU students and their energy, drive, and determination.” (2:19) – “The Beal Garden is my favorit...
Aug 29, 2023•18 min•Season 3Ep. 115
Molly Brennan is 2023 MSU Homecoming Grand Marshal for Michigan State University Molly is a Spartan with both academic and athletic legacies. She was the engineering group manager for the Truck and Bus Division of General Motors Corporation, where she won the first World Solar Challenge, setting four solar and electric land speed records in the Guinness Book of World Records. Beyond her illustrious career in engineering, she also made significant achievements as a track athlete, scholar, and phi...
Aug 28, 2023•22 min•Season 3Ep. 119
Michigan State University has a newly renovated School of Packaging building , following a fundraising campaign that raised more than $10 million. Upgrades to the facility, which was last updated in 1986, will help MSU remain a leader in the packaging field. The School of Packaging Building renovation helps to modernize teaching and learning by adding flexible classrooms that seamlessly integrate technology. Collaboration-friendly spaces invite industry partners to engage with students, and the ...
Aug 28, 2023•22 min•Season 3Ep. 118
Throughout the summer months, work on expanding Michigan State University’s safety and security network has continued. MSU stands committed to making sure its campus is a safe place for all Spartans – students, faculty, staff, and visitors alike. MSU Vice President and Chief Safety Officer Marlon Lynch updates the progress of the work that has been completed over the summer. Conversation Highlights : (1:45) – “The process of centralizing security systems and creating additional layers of securit...
Aug 25, 2023•15 min•Season 3Ep. 116
Michigan State University’s renowned W. J. Beal Botanical Garden and Campus Arboretum is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2023. Established in 1873, the W. J. Beal Botanical Garden is the oldest, continuously operated university botanical garden in the United States and illuminates the interconnectedness between people, plants, and place. This living laboratory encourages learning and exploration of the natural world. With a collection of over 2,000 plants from around the globe situated in t...
Aug 23, 2023•22 min•Season 3Ep. 117
Michigan State University has named Judd Herzer as the director of MSU Mobility to help amplify and focus the university’s vast research activities in the smart-vehicle landscape. Mobility is among MSU’s principal areas of research and innovation, and MSU Mobility and its partners will benefit from having a dedicated leader to guide and promote the university’s commitment to advancing its extensive mobility-focused efforts. In his new role, Herzer will lead university-wide initiatives under the ...
Aug 21, 2023•13 min•Season 3Ep. 114
This month’s State of the State podcast from Michigan State University’s Institute for Public Policy and Social Research has Matt Grossmann and Arnold Weinfeld from the institute and emeritus economics professor Charley Ballard discussing the state of the national and Michigan economies, UAW contract talks with the Big 3 automakers, the impact of unions in today’s America, Michigan’s new state budget, population loss, and the recent Supreme Court decision on affirmative action. Conversation High...
Aug 04, 2023•32 min•Season 3Ep. 113
John Ambrose is executive director of admissions at MSU. Dani Vincent and Ndi Sibanda are MSU students. Dani and Ndi are also tour guides for MSU Admissions . Ambrose assesses the state of higher education admissions and challenges and opportunities ahead. And the group describes the top stressors for students and parents in the process of preparing their college applications. They talk about important deadlines in the process and about the importance of parental involvement. And the students ta...
Aug 01, 2023•42 min•Season 3Ep. 111
Laura Rugless is Michigan State University’s inaugural vice president for civil rights and Title IX education and compliance. In this newly elevated role, which was transitioned from an associate vice president to a vice president position, Rugless will be responsible for leading the institution’s civil rights and Title IX compliance, serving as the university’s Title IX coordinator and building upon MSU’s efforts to cultivate a university community free of discrimination and harassment. The pos...
Jul 21, 2023•9 min•Season 3Ep. 112
Michigan State University alumnus Frank Tramble is Duke University’s inaugural vice president for Communications, Marketing and Public Affairs. Tramble describes his career path from MSU telemarketer going on “anthropological excursions” to stops at Georgetown and Howard on his way to Duke. He talks about why he chose MSU for college. And he shares his goals in his new position to meet the challenges and opportunities facing an “under attack” higher education system. Conversation Highlights : (3...
Jul 13, 2023•22 min•Season 3Ep. 110
For creating technologies that have the potential to change the world and providing opportunities for future inventors, Muhammad Rabnawaz , an associate professor and Faculty Laureate in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University, was inducted into the National Academy of Inventors as a senior member on June 26. The NAI senior member program was established to highlight academic inventors who have demonstrated a prolific spirit of innovation in creating or faci...
Jul 06, 2023•15 min•Season 3Ep. 109
Michigan State University Interim President Teresa K. Woodruff elaborates on topics she covers in her June 2023 Spartan Community Letter, which you can read by clicking on the communications tab at president.msu.edu . “The campus has a different rhythm in the summer, but we've got a lot going on as we kind of round out the end of summer session one and move into summer session two. And I'm really excited about that. And we really do have a great foundation for success, and we do appreciate the B...
Jun 28, 2023•12 min•Season 3Ep. 108
MSU alumni Chris Solari and Matt Charboneau cover Spartan sports for the Detroit Free Press and Detroit News, respectively. They join me on MSU Today to talk about their backgrounds in journalism, why they chose MSU for college, and how their time at MSU prepared them for their field. They talk about the state and future of sports journalism and intercollegiate athletics and the challenges and opportunities ahead for both. And they preview the coming seasons for MSU football and men’s basketball...
Jun 19, 2023•1 hr•Season 3Ep. 107
