Welcome to another episode of Kevin’s Conversations on MSU Today. Kevin is Michigan State University President Kevin Guskiewicz, who joins me occasionally to elaborate on key initiatives he’s leading to guide MSU into its vibrant future. Today, Kevin welcomes the co-chairs of his newly created Green and White Council . President Guskiewicz recently announced this significant progress of one of his premier initiatives by appointing former Bank of America executive and Michigan State University al...
Feb 15, 2025•35 min•Season 3Ep. 226
Carmen Bradford is jazz royalty and a 2024 Grammy Award winner for “Basie Swings the Blues – the Count Basie Orchestra.” She’s been nominated five times for Grammy Awards and is the recipient of the Los Angeles Jazz Society's Jazz Vocalist Award. With her body of work, which reflects her vast experience, versatility, and technical brilliance, she has carved out her place in jazz history, and she continues to contribute to the preservation of this uniquely American art form. In August 2024, Carme...
Feb 12, 2025•25 min•Season 3Ep. 225
The Michigan State University College of Law is home to eight law clinics, each specializing in a public service area of the law that provides professional legal counsel to the most vulnerable people in society. Each clinic is directed by licensed attorneys who are members of the MSU Law faculty and staffed by law students who gain critical hands-on research and litigation experience. The clinics provide pro bono legal services and have won important cases for clients across the country. MSU Law...
Feb 06, 2025•13 min•Season 3Ep. 224
Teresa Dunn is a Mexican American artist raised in rural Southern Illinois. Her identity, life, and art are influenced by her racial and cultural heritages and the complexities of being a brown woman in the Midwest. She came to MSU in 2006 and is a professor of painting and drawing in the Department of Art, Art History, and Design in MSU’s College of Arts and Letters . On this episode of MSU Today, she talks about her path to MSU and what inspires and motivates her art. And she describes her pie...
Feb 05, 2025•17 min•Season 3Ep. 223
State of the State is the monthly round up of policy and research for the state of Michigan from Michigan State University’s Institute for Public Policy and Social Research ( IPPSR ). Matt Grossmann and Arnold Weinfeld from IPPSR are joined by economist Charley Ballard to discuss the latest in politics and the economy. Former Michigan Congressman and Governor and U.S. Ambassador to Canada Jim Blanchard joins the trio to discuss the impact of potential tariffs on Canada. Conversation Highlights :...
Jan 31, 2025•29 min•Season 3Ep. 222
Eli Sussman grew up in the Detroit suburb of Huntington Woods. After graduating from Berkley High School, MSU’s James Madison College felt like a natural next step. “One of the great things about James Madison is that the classes are small, and the conversation is lively,” says Sussman. “I thrived in that atmosphere.” Perhaps that’s because lively conversation has always been part of his life. Family was important in the Sussman house, and eating dinner together was a central component in the li...
Jan 29, 2025•36 min•Season 3Ep. 221
Michigan State University alumna Heidi Przybyla is an award-winning investigative and television correspondent who is championing new approaches to reporting and delivering news that put the American people first. She is a veteran journalist who has regularly broken exclusive reporting on how White House, congressional and presidential policy impacts everyday Americans and on the state of democracy at home. Her reporting has spanned leading newspaper, digital, radio and television outlets. She’s...
Jan 07, 2025•24 min•Season 3Ep. 220
Teresa K. Woodruff joined an elite group of Americans who have received two national medals of honor when President Joe Biden announced the latest recipients of the National Medal of Science on Jan. 3. Arati Prabhakar, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, presented Woodruff with the medal at a ceremony at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C., on the same date. The first person from Michigan State University to receive the National Medal of ...
Jan 06, 2025•12 min•Season 3Ep. 218
State of the State is the monthly round up of policy and research for the state of Michigan from Michigan State University’s Institute for Public Policy and Social Research ( IPPSR ). Matt Grossmann and Arnold Weinfeld from IPPSR are joined by economist Charley Ballard to discuss the latest in politics and the economy. MSU sociologist Stephanie Nawyn joins the group to discuss Michigan residents’ attitudes on immigration and refugees. Conversation Highlights : (2:15) – Ballard on impacts on the ...
Dec 20, 2024•34 min•Season 3Ep. 219
Michigan State University has announced the appointment of Alan Prather as director of the Beal Botanical Garden and Campus Arboretum . Prather has served as interim director since October 2021. Morgan Butts is director of communications and marketing for University Arts and Collections . Conversation Highlights : (0:43) – Describe your background and scholarship. (2:02) – Talk about the history and evolving mission of the garden. And what is rewilding? (3:23) - Beal Scholars Internship Program ...
Dec 16, 2024•13 min•Season 3Ep. 217
Three Spartan alumni siblings – Dave Porteous, Bill Porteous, and Ruth Porteous Hamilton – had often thought of ways they could honor their parents, who had attended Michigan State College between 1937-1942. When the siblings learned of the project to renovate Campbell Hall into an Honors College living-learning community, they were immediately interested in helping to fund it because their parents – William and Mable Porteous – had met at Campbell Hall. Years later, the three siblings all follo...
Dec 16, 2024•10 min•Season 3Ep. 216
Rebecca DeVooght is the vice president for Government Relations at MSU. She describes the professional journey that led her back to her alma mater. She talks about the evolving mission of the Office of Government Relations . She talks about deepening relationships with new leaders at all levels of government and how MSU can evolve to meet the needs of Michigan even better than it already does. She describes the biggest policy issues facing higher education in the next few years and how MSU is po...
Dec 06, 2024•23 min•Season 3Ep. 215
Joyce deJong is the dean of the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. An alumna of the college, she began her appointment on Feb. 5, 2024. Earlier this year, she had the opportunity to deploy to North Carolina with the Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team ( DMORT ) under the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) following the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene. Her team, composed of members from across the country, gathered in Charlotte before heading out to ass...
Dec 04, 2024•22 min•Season 3Ep. 214
MSU serves all 83 counties across Michigan with programs and partnerships that support the state’s residents, bolster the economy and advance the common good. MSU’s outreach is extensive and supports these 83 counties with programs and partnerships that advance key industries, including agriculture and business—both big and small. On this episode of MSU Today, Kwesi Brookins and Quentin Tyler talk about outreach, engagement and extension at Michigan State University. Brookins is vice provost for...
Nov 20, 2024•15 min•Season 3Ep. 213
As a leading global public research university, MSU generates knowledge and innovation that is crucial to grow Michigan's economy in automotive, engineering, health care and beyond, and to improve the health & well-being of our state and our citizens. A top global public research university, MSU has built a research enterprise that reaches every part of Michigan, driving the state’s economy and contributing to a stronger, healthier present and future. On this episode of MSU Today, three Spar...
Nov 20, 2024•36 min•Season 3Ep. 212
The presidential election is now behind us and Michigan played a crucial role in the election results. For MSU Today’s 2024 Election Spotlight Series , I’m talking with MSU researchers and experts who can discuss all things elections and politics. Each guest brings a unique perspective on research and work they are doing that relates to the 2024 election. To conclude this series, I’m joined by experts from MSU’s Department of Political Science to breakdown the presidential outcome and Michigan’s...
Nov 18, 2024•39 min•Season 3Ep. 211
Concrete is the second largest consumed material in the U.S., and its production is responsible for 8% to 10% of carbon dioxide emissions. Professor Qingxu “Bill” Jin and his PhD student, Antonio Ni, at Michigan State University have developed flexible self-healing concrete that produces heat, which could prove to be an environmentally friendly option for roads in terms of snow and ice removal. Professor Jin says the self-healing concrete could revolutionize the concrete industry and further pro...
Nov 17, 2024•29 min•Season 3Ep. 210
Dedicated to improving lives today and tomorrow, Michigan State University delivers extraordinary impact to individuals and communities across the state of Michigan through its academic and research excellence and its network of community engagement and outreach, made possible by the uncommon will of Spartans to pursue excellence and advance opportunity for the common good. MSU and its world-class faculty educate more Michigan students than any other university and many graduates stay in-state, ...
Nov 11, 2024•34 min•Season 3Ep. 209
If you are one of the tens of millions of Americans who loves football—and who simultaneously worries if it can be safely played—then Dr. David Kaufman’s book is must-read. Like such classics as Paper Lion and A Fan’s Notes, We Need You in the Locker Room provides a fascinating, unique, and immensely readable perspective on a game we only think we know. As a neurologist assigned to work with the coaches and players, his time in the locker room and on the sidelines made him an intimate witness to...
Oct 29, 2024•14 min•Season 3Ep. 208
Michigan native and Michigan State University alumnus Sam Klemet is co-executive director of the Detroit Automobile Dealers Association (DADA). The DADA represents nearly 300 domestic and import new car and truck dealerships in Southeast Michigan and oversees the Detroit Auto Show, which has had an economic impact of $8 billion over the last 25-plus years. A career broadcaster and association management professional, Klemet joins the DADA team and will work alongside Rod Alberts, DADA and Detroi...
Oct 29, 2024•18 min•Season 3Ep. 207
Michael Sant’Ambrogio is the new dean of MSU College of Law, effective October 25, 2024. The new dean talks about his and the college’s teaching and scholarship strengths. He tells why he wants to be dean of the college. And he shares goals for the college and discusses challenges and opportunities ahead. Conversation Highlights : (0:22) – How long have you been at MSU, and what first attracted you here? (0:59) – What are your teaching and scholarship interests? (1:40) – What are the college’s t...
Oct 25, 2024•12 min•Season 3Ep. 204
Following his Sept. 29 investiture, Michigan State University President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D., announced one of his first initiatives was to bring “MSU to Michigan,” and he did so by leading MSU’s inaugural Spartan Bus Tour . We set out from campus Monday morning October 21 from Kellogg Center. (0:20) - President Guskiewicz opens the tour. (1:14) - Our first stop was in Mount Pleasant to visit the Ziibiwing Center of Anishinabe Culture and Lifeways . Eric Rodriguez is interim public relatio...
Oct 24, 2024•35 min•Season 3Ep. 206
Katie Sullivan has type 1 diabetes and uses an insulin pump. She is also a health care professional. During the last daylight saving time, or DST, change, she accidentally shifted the settings on her pump from a.m. to p.m. and received an incorrect dose of insulin, which caused an unexpected increase in her blood glucose level. Sullivan developed hyperglycemia because she was not getting enough insulin during the day. Fortunately, she caught the error before going to bed, when the altered insuli...
Oct 20, 2024•14 min•Season 3Ep. 205
State of the State is the monthly round up of policy and research for the state of Michigan from Michigan State University’s Institute for Public Policy and Social Research ( IPPSR ). Matt Grossmann and Arnold Weinfeld from IPPSR are joined by economist Charley Ballard to discuss the latest in politics and the economy. Gongwer News Service President for Michigan Operations Zach Gorchow joins the group to assess the homestretch of the 2024 general election. Conversation Highlights : (1:08) – How ...
Oct 18, 2024•36 min•Season 3Ep. 203
Tom Izzo is entering his 30th year as head coach of the Spartans men’s basketball team. On October 17, he addressed the media and student journalists to preview the 2024/25 season and talk about the state of college basketball. Conversation Highlights : (0:00) – Opening comments. Reflections on trip to Tom’s alma mater Northern Michigan University. (4:48) – Are you looking back or forward as you begin your 30th year as head coach? What’s the balance? (7:12) – How is leadership developing on the ...
Oct 17, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 3Ep. 202
The presidential election is right around the corner and Michigan is going to play a crucial role in the election results. For MSU Today’s 2024 Election Spotlight Series , I’m talking with MSU researchers and experts who can discuss all things elections and politics. Each guest brings a unique perspective on research and work they’re doing that relates to the 2024 Election. For today’s episode, we are not talking with faculty. Instead, we have guests joining us who are playing active roles in ge...
Oct 15, 2024•19 min•Season 3Ep. 201
The presidential election is right around the corner and Michigan is going to play a crucial role in the election results. For MSU Today’s 2024 Election Spotlight Series , I’m talking with MSU researchers and experts who can discuss all things elections and politics. Each guest brings a unique perspective on research and work they’re doing that relates to the 2024 Election. Monique Mitchell Turner is a professor and chair of the MSU Department of Communication . She studies the role that emotion...
Oct 14, 2024•13 min•Season 3Ep. 200
Eric Hegg is the new dean of Michigan State University’s College of Natural Science. Hegg talks about his background and career at MSU, and he describes research and curriculum strengths of the college. He tells why he wants to be dean and shares some short- and long-term goals for the college. He discusses how the natural sciences can play a role in better outcomes for society’s problems, and he talks about challenges and opportunities ahead for higher education. Conversation Highlights : (0:18...
Oct 14, 2024•22 min•Season 3Ep. 199
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 , or ATDS, an international body of scholars dedicated to the study of theatre, performance, and drama across the Americas, the Betty Jean Jones Award signifies th...
Oct 11, 2024•27 min•Season 3Ep. 198
The presidential election is right around the corner and Michigan is going to play a crucial role in the election results. For MSU Today’s 2024 Election Spotlight Series , I’m talking with MSU researchers and experts who can discuss all things elections and politics. Each guest brings a unique perspective on research and work they’re doing that relates to the 2024 Election. Mark Brandt is an associate professor in the MSU Department of Psychology . He is a social and personality psychologist. He...
Oct 10, 2024•12 min•Season 3Ep. 197
