The Spartan Orientation Station
Nervous about starting this Fall? Worried about your class schedule, living away from home, or where to even start? Maybe you’re a family or supporter looking for more information on resources at MSU? The Spartan Orientation Station (SOS) is a podcast for you – hosted by New Student Orientation staff and was created by students for students as well as for families and supporters. This podcast will launch twice a week throughout the summer, and each episode will feature a unique interview with campus departments discussing their services, common misconceptions, and fun Spartan engagement opportunities. When you need help at Michigan State, it is okay to signal SOS! Don’t worry – MSU is here for you.
For full transcripts of our episodes, and a full playlist of episodes, visit our page on the Impact 89FM website: https://impact89fm.org/category/podcasts/entertainment-podcasts/spartan-orientation-station/
Summer 2024 Episodes
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.
Intro to NSO, Published May 9, 2024
As we get ready to welcome new Spartans to MSU, the New Student Orientation (or NSO) office is excited to talk about this summer’s orientation process! Throughout the summer, students can engage in a variety of different virtual programming before our in-person fall welcome program. Here to talk about the student orientation process are three NSO Program Coordinators, Maddie Sewick, Raven Baugh, and Jared Stratz.
For more information on Transitions and Transfer Student Success (which houses NSO), find us on Instagram @msu_nso, Facebook MSU New Student Orientation, or email us at nso@msu.edu.