The Spartan Orientation Station

Season 2 (2024) Episodes:

Family & Supporter Friday: Stay Involved with State – RSOS, Family Engagement, and More, Published August 30, 2024

Hello families and supporters! Welcome back to the Spartan Orientation Station’s Family Fridays series. In this episode, Raven and Laurin chat with the Assistant Director of Spartan Experiences, Lance Sharp, about the ways students can get and stay involved at MSU. Listen to learn more about family and student engagement, registered student organizations (RSOS), campus resources, tips for getting involved at MSU and in the greater Lansing, and student perspectives. Go Green!

Housing Staff Q&A, Published August 8, 2024

On our final episode of the Spartan Orientation Station for the summer, join some of our very own student staff as they discuss their other positions as Resident Assistants, Assistant Community Directors, and Intercultural Aides working with Live On, MSU’s Housing team!

For more information about Live On, visit their website https://liveon.msu.edu/.

Self Care & Wellbeing, Published August 1, 2024

Welcome back to the Spartan Orientation Station! This week, we are sitting down with Dr. Olivia Scott, Acting Assistant Director of Multicultural Initiatives and Community Engagement at MSU’s Counseling and Psychiatric Services, to discuss all things self care, community care, and mental wellbeing!

For more information about CAPS, visit their website: https://caps.msu.edu/index.html or follow them on Instagram @healthyspartans.

Family Fridays Edition: Setting Up You & Your Student for Student Success, Published July 26, 2024

Hello families and supporters! Welcome back to the Spartan Orientation Station’s Family Fridays series. In this episode, Raven and Laurin chat with the Director of the Transfer Student Success Center (TSSC), Dr. Charles Jackson, about the different ways transfer students and other students think about student success. Listen to learn more about defining student success, tips for academic success and beyond the classroom, and student narratives regarding their own success at Michigan State. Go Green!

Broad Art Museum, Published July 25, 2024

Welcome back to the Spartan Orientation Station! On this week’s episode, we are speaking with the Broad Art Museum on campus. Located at 547 E Circle Drive, right across from the Student Services Building, the art museum features a variety of fun exhibits and learning opportunities.

For more information about Broad Art Museum, visit their website https://broadmuseum.msu.edu/ or find them on Instagram @msubroad.

MSU Libraries, Published July 18, 2024

Welcome back to the Spartan Orientation Station! On thi week’s episode, we will be discussing the MSU Libraries! The Library aims to provide expertise, collections, and infrastructure for discovery and creation through their work with MSU students, faculty, and staff.

For more information about the Libraries on MSU’s campus, or any of the amazing services the Library provides students with, visit their website lib.msu.edu or find them on Instagram @msulibraries.

Your Questions: Answered!, Published July 11, 2024

On this week’s episode of the Spartan Orientation Station, our student staff answer your questions about Michigan State University! We know the transition to MSU can be tricky, so we want to share our tips and tricks for academic success, time management, and more!

Transfer Experience Mentorship Program (TEMPO), Published July 4, 2024

On this week’s episode of the Spartan Orientation Station, we are learning about the Transfer Experience Mentorship Program (TEMPO). TEMPO provides opportunities for new transfer students to be paired with a more experienced mentor to learn about MSU.
For more information about the transfer student experience, follow the Transfer Student Success Center on Instagram @msutransfersuccess or email the TSSC team at transfersuccess@msu.edu.

Family Fridays: Explaining the College Transition & New Dynamic With Your Student, Published June 28, 2024

Hello families and supporters! Welcome to the Spartan Orientation Station’s Family Fridays series! Co-hosted by Raven Baugh, the NSO Program Coordinator for families and supporters, and Laurin Gierman, the Director of Spartan Family Connections, this monthly summer series will feature tips, resources, and perspectives about the college transition for families and supporters of incoming college students. On this week’s episode, we discuss the new dynamic and relationship involving families, supporters, and students due to the college transition process.

Residence Hall Association (RHA), Published June 13, 2024

Welcome back to the Spartan Orientation Station! On this week’s episode, we will be discussing the Residence Hall Association (or RHA). RHA is Michigan State’s on-campus student government, representing the students who live on-campus. Joining us today is RHA President, Erin Caldwell.

For more information, find RHA on Instagram @msurha or visit their website rha.msu.edu.

The Writing Center, Published June 6, 2024

Welcome back to the Spartan Orientation Station! On this week’s episode, we speak with the Writing Center on campus. The Writing Center offers students, faculty, staff, and the community different support opportunities that covers an array of different writing fields and disciplines. Speaking about the Writing Center today is Melina, the Writing Center’s Community Engagement Coordinator, as well as Eva who works as an Undergraduate Writing Consultant.

For more information about the Writing Center, visit their website at https://writing.msu.edu or follow them on Instagram @wcmsu.

The Neighborhood Student Success Center (NSSC), Published May 30, 2024

Welcome back to the Spartan Orientation Station! On this week’s episode, we speak with the Neighborhood Student Success Center, or NSSC. The NSSC supports student success initiatives around campus through collaboration and innovation. Speaking about the NSSC today is Dr. D’Wayne Jenkins, Neighborhood Director for Student Success in South Neighborhood.

For more information about NSSC, visit their website at nssc.msu.edu or follow them on Instagram @nsscmsu.

Intramural Sports & Gym Facilities, Published May 23, 2024

On this week’s episode of the Spartan Orientation Station, we will be discussing intramural (or IM) sports on campus, your MSU gym membership, how to sign up for IM teams and fitness classes, and hearing from students who have been a part of an IM team! Joining us this week is Ross Winter, the Assistant Director of Recreational Sports and Fitness Services.
For more information about IM sports, gym memberships, and more, check out the Recreational Sports and Fitness Services website: https://recsports.msu.edu/. To activate your fitness membership, use your Spartan ID card and sign in here: https://recsports.msu.edu/fitness/memberships.html.

Varsity Athletic Tickets, Published May 16, 2024

On this episode of the Spartan Orientation Station, our team talks about all things MSU Varsity Athletics. Featuring conversations about how students can buy athletic tickets and attend MSU athletic events, we’ll also share a little bit about our experiences as students attending these events.
For more information, visit the Official MSU Athletics Website at msuspartans.com. To learn more about student sections or student athletic tickets, including all of the information shared here, check out the Student Section page linked here. To sign up for the Athletics newsletter mentioned in this podcast, click here.

Season 1 (2023) Episodes:

Center for Veterans and Military-Affiliated Students (CVMAS), Published November 6, 2023

Hello everyone and welcome back to the Spartan Orientation Station! Today we’ll be talking about the Center for Veterans and Military-Affiliated Students (CVMAS). The CVMAS is dedicated to promoting the educational, career, and personal advancement of service members, veterans, and their families at Michigan State University. Today we are joined by Patrick Forystek, the Director of the CVMAS.

For more information about the Center for Veterans and Military-Affiliated Students, check out their website: https://veterans.msu.edu/. You can also find them on Instagram: @msu_cvmas or visit their office in Room 8 of the Student Services Building.

Please note, this podcast may refer to CVMAS as the Student Veteran Resource Center (SVRC). This episode was recorded before SVRC changed their name to CVMAS, effective March 2025.

Living in East Lansing: Your Guide to Off-Campus Housing, Published October 30, 2023

Living off campus is a possibility for some incoming students, and many students will eventually choose to live in off campus housing. You may be wondering how to stay connected to on campus activities, when to sign a lease, or even how to start finding an apartment or house. These are all new responsibilities that we’ll be discussing in today’s episode. Joining us today is Suchitra Webster, who is the Director of the Office of Community and Student Relations.

For more information about living off-campus, please visit https://offcampushousing.msu.edu/. For more information about the Office of Community and Student Relations, view their website here: http://www.collegelifeel.msu.edu/, email them at scr@msu.edu, or follow them on Instagram @collegelifeeastlansing.

The Associated Students of MSU (ASMSU), Published August 10, 2023

Civic Engagement with MSUVote, Published August 8, 2023

Welcome back to the Spartan Orientation Station. Today’s featured campus partner is MSU Vote, a non-partisan campus committee whose mission is to increase the number of registered student voters, to inform and educate students on candidates and issues, and to bolster student participation on Election Day. Through their education, participation, and voter registration initiatives, MSU Vote helps empower students to become democratically engaged in their hometowns or in East Lansing.  MSU was recognized by ALL IN in 2022 for significant efforts to get students engaged with the voting process. Whether you’re in-state or out of state, MSUVote is there to help you navigate the ballot. Today we are joined by Erin Kramer, who is the Democratic Engagement Coordinator for MSUVote, Suchitra Website, Director of the Office of Student and Community Relations, and Renee Brown, Director of the Center for Community Engaged Learning.

For more information about MSUVote, you can visit their website: https://www.msuvote.msu.edu/. You can also contact the office via email at msuvote@msu.edu.

Student Conduct and Life w/ OSSA, Published August 3, 2023

Welcome back to the Spartan Orientation Station! This episode we are discussing The Office of Student Support and Accountability also knows as OSSA. They support student success by ensuring a civil and inclusive learning environment based on academic and personal integrity. OSSA supports personal and community accountability and addresses conduct inconsistent with the Spartan Code of Honor with honesty, respect, and fairness.  Today, we welcome Jake Kasper the Assistant Director of OSSA and Rick Shafer, the Associate Director for OSSA.  Thank you for joining us!

For more information about OSSA, you can reach their website: https://ossa.msu.edu/. You can also contact the office via email at ossa@msu.edu or phone, 517-884-0789.

Dining on Campus, Published August 1, 2023

Living on Campus: Your New Home, Published July 27, 2023

Campus Careers & Getting Your Dream Job, Published July 25, 2023

RSOs and Getting Involved, Published July 20, 2023

Spartan Experience Record, Published July 20, 2023

All Abroad: Education Around the Globe, Published July 18, 2023

Spartan Transfer Talks: Starting Fresh and Building Your Community, Published July 13, 2023

Welcome back to Spartan Orientation Station. Today’s episode is Spartan Transfer Talks: Starting Fresh and Building Your New Community, where we will discuss your new MSU community and getting involved in extracurriculars and social scenes.

We are joined by the Transfer Student Success Center team, Dr. Charles Jackson and Ashley Hewlett-Lemke. For more information about the Transfer Student Success Center, reach out via email transfersuccess@msu.edu or visit their Instagram @msutransfersuccess

Spartan Transfer Talks: Student Success In & Out of the Classroom, Published July 11, 2023

Welcome back to the Spartan Orientation Station. This week, we will be featuring two episodes aimed toward transfer students, called Spartan Transfer Talks. In these episodes we will be featuring the Transfer Student Success Center (TSSC). The TSSC supports our transfer student population through extracurricular activities and events.

On today’s episode, Dr. Charles Jackson, the Director of the TSSC, and Ashley Hewlett-Lemke, Program Coordinator at the TSSC, will discuss how to succeed within the classroom at MSU. For more information about the Transfer Student Success Center, reach out via email transfersuccess@msu.edu or visit their Instagram @msutransfersuccess

Your Voice & Rights w/ University Ombuds, Published July 6, 2023

On this episode we are meeting with MSU’s Ombudsperson: Dr. Shannon Burton. You may or may not have heard of this position, but it is important to know that it is the most significant tool a student can use to voice their opinions and concerns. The Office of the University Ombudsperson helps students who are dealing with conflict or want to learn more about their student rights. The service operates independently of MSU and is completely confidential, so students can feel safe raising concerns.  Listen in to learn more about the work they do and how they can help you.

For more information on the University Ombudsperson, students can visit their website: https://ombud.msu.edu/ or contact the office via email at ombud@msu.edu.

Paying For College w/ Financial Aid, Published July 4, 2023

Student Parent Resource Center, Published June 27, 2023

In this episode, we discuss the Student Parent Resource Center, or SPRC for short. The SPRC strives to support and uplift non-traditional students and their families. To do so, the SPRC provides vital services to parenting students, such as assistance with academics and finances, as well as on-campus space for them to connect with other families. Today, we’re joined by Laraine Walton, the administrative assistant for the SPRC to learn more about how they support Spartan parents.

For more information, contact the SPRC via email at sprc@msu.edu or visit their website at https://studentparents.msu.edu/. For the application for the Support Our Student (SOS) Fund visit: https://msu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ah1JH6XRgbbFQ34.

Religious Advisors Association, Published June 27, 2023

Gender and Sexuality Campus Center (GSCC), Published June 22, 2023

Welcome back to our podcast, the Spartan Orientation Station. Today, we will discuss the Gender and Sexuality Campus Center, better known as the GSCC. Located in the Student Services Building, the GSCC acts as a resource for LGBTQIA2S+ students on campus. They offer educational resources, fun events, support for LGBTQIA2S+ students, and so much more! Joining us today to tell us more about the GSCC and its resources is Grace Wojcik, the Director of the GSCC. Welcome Grace!

For more information or further questions, please contact the GSCC team via phone 517-353-9520 or email gscc@msu.edu. You can also visit the center’s website: gscc.msu.edu/.

Academic Accommodations & RCPD Services, Published June 20, 2023

Welcome to NSO’s Spartan Orientation Station! On today’s episode, we are discussing the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities, also known as the RCPD. They provide resources and accommodations for students here at MSU. Their mission is to maximize the ability and opportunity for full participation by persons with disabilities.
Please welcome Hannah Huey-Jones from the RCPD office, who is here to answer all of our questions about RCPD. Hannah is an ability access specialist serving individuals with chronic health disabilities.
For further information or questions, please contact the RCPD team via phone at 517-884-7273 or via web contact form: https://www.rcpd.msu.edu/form/contact.
Update as of 2024: Please note that VISAs are now referred to as “Accommodation Letters” at MSU.

International Student Resources, Published June 15, 2023

Health & Wellbeing at MSU, Published June 13, 2023

On this week’s podcast, we will be discussing university health resources including MSU’s Olin Health Center and Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS).  The Olin Health Center offers a wide variety of health care services to students year-round. Additionally, CAPS offers both virtual and in-person counseling options that allow students to connect with mental health professionals. However, health and wellbeing at MSU has much more to offer than CAPS and Olin. Tune in to hear more from Elizabeth Carr, the marketing and communications manager for MSU’s Student Health and Wellbeing.

Have more questions? For contact information for the various departments mentioned, look here: https://studenthealth.msu.edu/contact.html

Staying Safe at State with MSU Police Department, Published June 8, 2023

On this episode of the Spartan Orientation Station, we are welcoming Captain Dan Munford and Dana Whyte from MSU’s Police Department. MSU’s Police Department, also known as MSUPD, is responsible for emergency response on campus, parking, registering bicycles, and so much more! Their priority is ensuring that Spartans feel safe and secure at MSU, and they strive to be friendly faces on campus.

For further questions, contact MSU’s Police and Public Safety team via email info@police.msu.edu or phone 517-355-2221.

MSU 101: Acronyms & Abbreviations, Published June 6, 2023

Walk around campus and you will hear students say they just finished their IM game, or they just took their CS exam; it’s more than just “common.” With countless departments, positions, and locations, Michigan State University is full of acronyms. From the well-known ones like MSU itself, to the more obscure ones that may leave you scratching your head, we’ll dig deep to uncover their origins, contexts, and roles within the MSU community. Today, we are hoping to get you ready by explaining major acronyms and giving us a common language for this podcast series and when you arrive on campus this fall!

How to Ace Academic Advising, Published June 1, 2023