317 episodes

MSU Today is a lively look at Michigan State University-related people, places, events and attitudes put into focus by Russ White. The show airs Saturdays at 5 P.M. and Sundays at 5 A.M. on 102.3 FM and AM 870 WKAR, and 8 P.M. on AM 760 WJR.

MSU Today with Russ White Russ White

    • Education
    • 5.0 • 5 Ratings

MSU Today is a lively look at Michigan State University-related people, places, events and attitudes put into focus by Russ White. The show airs Saturdays at 5 P.M. and Sundays at 5 A.M. on 102.3 FM and AM 870 WKAR, and 8 P.M. on AM 760 WJR.

    MSU IPPSR State of the State podcast examines evolving Arab and Muslim voter preferences

    MSU IPPSR State of the State podcast examines evolving Arab and Muslim voter preferences

    Matt Grossmann, Charley Ballard, and 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 podcast is a monthly round up of policy and research for Michigan. 
     
    Nura Sediqe is an assistant professor of American politics and public policy at MSU. The group discusses Sediqe’s work in political behavior, race, and ethnic politics, especially as it pertains to Muslim Americans.
     
    Conversation Highlights:
     
    (0:44) – Charley, how’s the economy doing?
     
    (5:24) – Matt, how do you see the economy playing a role in the campaign season?
     
    (8:17) – Why do you think some minority voters are moving to the right?
     
    (12:54) – Where are we on redistricting and the redrawn map?
     
    (15:14) – What’s the state of Michigan’s economy?
     
    (17:35) – Nura joins the conversation with an overview of her research.
     
    (18:56) – Talk about the growth of the Arab and Muslim population in Michigan that is increasingly flexing its political muscle.
     
    (27:23) – How will the conflict in Gaza impact voter preferences?
     
    (29:59) – Michigan has a large population that is Arab but not Muslim. How is that factoring in? 
     
    (31:40) – Tell us about your book in development.
     
    Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

    • 32 min
    MSU’s Womxn of Color Initiatives hosting critically acclaimed performer Paige Hernandez as 2024 artist-in-residence

    MSU’s Womxn of Color Initiatives hosting critically acclaimed performer Paige Hernandez as 2024 artist-in-residence

    The Michigan State University Womxn of Color Initiatives, or WOCI, is hosting Paige Hernandez as its 2024 Artist-in-Residence. The sixth artist to participate in this program, Hernandez is a multidisciplinary artist and critically acclaimed performer, director, choreographer and playwright. She’s in residence on Michigan State University’s campus March 18 to 21.
     
    Delia Fernández-Jones is associate dean for equity, justice and faculty affairs in the College of Arts and Letters and chair of WOCI.
     
    Fernández-Jones and Hernandez join Russ White on this episode of MSU Today.
     
    Conversation Highlights:
     
    (0:37) – Delia on the history and mission of WOCI.
     
    (3:24) – Delia on the artist-in-residence program.
     
    (4:33) – Why did you invite Paige to be this year’s artist-in-residence?
     
    (5:42) – Paige, why did you accept Delia’s invitation?
     
    (7:11) – What do you hope Spartans take away from Paige’s visit?
     
    (8:58) – Paige, talk about the synergy between performing and teaching.
     
    (10:13) – What do you want us to keep in mind about this cool program?
     
    (11:37) – Final thoughts from Paige.
     
    (12:35) – What’s happening on March 21?
     
    Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

    • 14 min
    MSU receives $25M to take lead on long-term health care needs of Michigan residents

    MSU receives $25M to take lead on long-term health care needs of Michigan residents

    Michigan State University has received a $25 million grant that will address the state’s critical shortage of direct care workers, or DCWs, by establishing a Direct Care Career Center that aims to increase pathways into the field and transform the public view to one that recognizes the workforce as a respected profession.  
      
    DCWs provide long-term support to individuals with disabilities and older adults. They assist with hands-on care and tasks needed to maintain as much independence as possible. Paid direct care assistance beyond what families can provide is often a necessity, but there is a dire shortage of people trained to do this kind of work. Employers are facing serious challenges in hiring and retaining staff. About 190,000 DCWs are currently serving the state’s residents; at least 36,000 more are needed.   
      
    The grant will be implemented by MSU’s IMPART Alliance, a center in the College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Department of Family and Community Medicine that’s committed to helping Michigan expand and support the direct care workforce through training, credentialing, career paths and advocacy. Serving as the convener and working with a statewide network of partners, the alliance will develop multiple initiatives designed to lead to more qualified direct care workers and improved recruitment and retention.  
     
    Clare Luz is executive director of IMPART Alliance. David LaLumia is executive director of the Area Agencies on Aging Association of Michigan. Jennifer Lugo is a direct care worker. 
     
    Conversation Highlights:
     
    (1:08) – “Yes, there is a very, very critical shortage of direct care workers right now in Michigan and across the United States.” 
     
    (1:58) – What are the primary reasons for the shortage?
     
    (3:18) – What will the “game changing” grant help you do?
     
    (7:50) – What is the Direct Care Career Center?
     
    (11:48) – What is the IMPART Alliance?
     
    (14:14) – Clare introduces us to David and Jennifer
     
    (15:11) – Jen speaks from the heart on her rewarding career and some of its challenges.
     
    (16:37) – How do you see the grant benefitting you and your fellow direct care workers?
     
    (19:25) – Are there facts about your career you’d like to reinforce and some myths you’d like to dispel?
     
    (20:41) – Dave weighs in with his enthusiasm for the project.
     
    (23:30) – Luz on progress made in the last few years.
     
    (29:22) – Dave add his appreciation for Michigan’s leadership.
     
    (30:33) – Jen on the Nursing Home Workforce Stabilization Council.
     
    (33:55) – What would you say to others considering direct care work?
     
    (36:18) – Next steps.
     
    Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

    • 38 min
    MSU program champions leadership opportunities for women in business

    MSU program champions leadership opportunities for women in business

    A game-changing gift to Michigan State University’s Broad College of Business seeks to address the gender gap and propel women graduates into the C-suite.
     
    The gift, from Priya Balasubramaniam (MBA ’01), establishes the Dashney Women’s Leadership Accelerator, or DWLA, to equip dozens of students each year with the abilities and confidence to pursue professional leadership positions. With long-term mentoring, coaching, workshops, and experiential learning opportunities, the DWLA provides a powerful, immersive experience for select undergraduates.
     
    Balasubramaniam, vice president of operations at Apple Inc., says the unwavering support she received from Dashney was her driving inspiration to pay it forward. Whether it meant knowing she had someone who cared or having a sounding board to provide meaningful guidance when facing professional challenges, she found Dashney’s mentorship immensely helpful.
     
    Dashney talks about the vision and mission of DWLA with two members of the inaugural cohort of DWLA Scholars, Abigail Peck, and Khadija Kapuswala.
     
    Conversation Highlights:
     
    (0:38) – What’s the vision and mission of DWLA?
     
    (2:15) – Tell us about Priya and your relationship with her?
     
    (5:19) – Helen, introduce us to DWLA Scholars Abigail and Khadija.
     
    (6:12) – Abby introduces herself.
     
    (7:40) – Khadija introduces herself.
     
    (8:57) – Khadija on what attracted her to DWLA.
     
    (10:17) – Abby on what she’s getting from DWLA.
     
    (11:10) – Helen, how do you work with the students?
     
    (13:24) – Khadija and Abby share advice for future scholars.
     
    (15:39) – The inaugural DWLA event is on March 8.
     
    (18:18) – The first group of DWLA Scholars is laying the foundation for the accelerator.
     
    Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

    • 21 min
    MSU Interim President Teresa K. Woodruff looks back on shared accomplishments as she moves into a new role of service to the university

    MSU Interim President Teresa K. Woodruff looks back on shared accomplishments as she moves into a new role of service to the university

    Michigan State University interim president Teresa K. Woodruff elaborates on topics she covers in her February 2024 Spartan Community Letter, which you can read by clicking on the communications tab at president.msu.edu. 
     
    In her letter, President Woodruff looks back on shared accomplishments as she moves into a new role of service to the university.
     
    (0:58) - Upon your appointment as interim president of Michigan State University 16 months ago, you asked us to join you in looking upward and reaching high. You talked about bringing “stagility” to the campus and on being a transformative leader in a time of transition. How are you reflecting as you prepare to hand the reigns of the university over to Kevin Guskiewicz?
     
    (1:46) - You write that student success is our prime mission. What do we mean by student success at MSU and what are some of the ways we’re making progress?
     
    (4:38) - A key theme in MSU Strategic Plan 2030 is discovery, creativity, and innovation for excellence and global impact. MSU’s research enterprise grew by $84.8 million in 2023 to a total of $844 million. That robust growth comes on top of a $49 million rise the prior year and puts us on a great trajectory to reach our strategic goal of $1 billion in annual research outlays by 2030. 
     
    (7:11) - The health and safety of students, faculty, and staff remain a top priority. This includes the leadership of people like Chief Safety Officer Marlon Lynch and the additions of Dr. Alexis Travis as vice provost and executive director of our new University Health and Wellbeing division, and Laura Rugless to lead our Office of Civil Rights and Title 9 Education and Compliance.  
     
    (9:04) - How are we doing on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives? And the new free-standing multicultural center is rising in the heart of campus.
     
    (10:49) - You often say that our talented and dedicated employees are MSU’s greatest asset. What are some ways we’re making MSU a great place to work?
     
    (13:35) - On the stewardship and sustainability front, the new all-funds budget system lays the foundation for financial management transformation to improve functionality, transparency, and access to information. And MSU continues to rank high nationally in sustainability leadership within higher education.
     
    (15:01) - In the land grant tradition, engagement in our communities has been a priority for you. That includes initiatives in Lansing, Flint, Grand Rapids, and Detroit.
     
    (17:22) - In placemaking, we have many exciting plans for new and revitalized facilities supporting future research, instruction and outreach on our East Lansing campus and off. This includes the School of Packaging, the MSU Museum, and the Engineering and Digital Innovation Center (EDIC).
     
    (20:37) - We’re saying goodbye to impactful Spartans like Chief Safety Officer Marlon Lynch and MSU Safe Place Director Holly Rosen. 
     
    (22:10) – What are your thoughts on our generous donors and passionate alumni?
     
    (23:30) - Talk about your new role of special adviser to the offices of the MSU president and provost and your return to your research pursuits as a proud faculty member.
     
    Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

    • 25 min
    Hip-hop pioneer shares “circle of wisdom” at MSU lecture series

    Hip-hop pioneer shares “circle of wisdom” at MSU lecture series

    MC Lyte is an American rapper, DJ, actress and entrepreneur. She is the first female of hip-hop’s emcees to release a solo album. She also opened doors for many to join what is now being celebrated as ’50 Years of Hip Hop.” She recently received the “I Am Hip Hop” Lifetime Achievement Award from BET and was honored at the VH1 Hip Hop Honors.
     
    Lyte was at MSU on February 8 to participate in the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Dr. William G. Anderson Lecture Series, Slavery to Freedom: An American Odyssey.
     
    “This year marks the 50th year of hip hop. MC Lyte is one of the baddest women in the game, and she has certainly managed to evolve as a hip hop artist and MC,” says Marita Gilbert, associate dean for diversity and campus inclusion at MSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine. “She’s a really strong advocate for giving women a voice–not just in music–and for how we can empower girls to walk into their own potential and do things they want and what they’re passionate about as their voices grow, stretch, and evolve.”
     
    Gilbert leads Lyte through this thoughtful conversation.
     
    Conversation Highlights:
     
    (0:50) – Marita, tell us about Lyte and why you wanted her to be a part of the lecture series.
     
    (2:42) – Lyte, why did you choose to participate in the Slavery to Freedom Lecture Series?
     
    (3:50) – Lyte, what messages do you hope to convey during the lecture? 
     
    (4:39) – Marita, what are you hoping attendees take from the discussion?
     
    (7:07) – How are you reflecting on 50 years of hip-hop?
     
    (17:41) – You’re now working with a five-year-old?
     
    (18:57) – What words of encouragement do you have for young people?
     
    (24:16) – Talk about your creative process.
     
    (27:07) – You’re the voice of the Grammys…
     
    Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

    • 34 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
5 Ratings

5 Ratings

emmynall ,

My favorite source of MSU News

MSU Today keeps me in the know about the happening at my alma mater. I love hearing the diverse voices invited on the show!

ixmakexitxsnow ,

5 Stars

As a Chicago based Spartan, MSU Today helps me stay up to date with news and research on campus. My only suggestion would be to feature more alumni voices and share their Spartan success stories!

ACGille ,

Always relevant, always informative!

MSU Today helps me stay up to date with news and developments on my alma mater’s campus.

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