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 MSU’s Health Sciences Council.

The Health Sciences Council was convened under the guidance of the Office of the President to advise and support collaboration on curriculum, interprofessional education, clinical care and the development of strategies to enhance our performance in biomedical and public health research.

In today’s episode, President Guskiewicz talks with co-chairs Joyce DeJong, dean of MSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine; and Jeff MacKeigan, senior advisor in MSU’s Office of Research and Innovation and professor in the Department of Pediatrics and Human Development in the MSU College of Human Medicine.

Conversation Highlights:

(1:35) - Kevin, last June, you announced a thorough assessment of Michigan State’s health sciences structure, given today’s complex health care environment and MSU’s unique mix of educational, research and clinical assets.

After six months of diligent work, the council has delivered its final report to you with several bold options for a more integrated approach, positioning the university as a model for addressing complex health challenges and advancing health and wellness.

Please tell us more about why you have created the Health Sciences Council and what its mission is. What are some of those bold options?

(4:08) - Joyce and Jeff, how did you arrive at these options, and why do you think these are the key ones for us to act on first?

(6:56) - Kevin, what do you mean by One Team? And Joyce and Jeff, what do you mean by One Health?

(10:15) - Joyce and Jeff, what do you both see as both the challenges and opportunities ahead for MSU Health Sciences? How can this council’s work positively impact its future?

(13:26) – Veterinary Medicine Dean Kim Dodd is on the council, too, and Vet Med will play a crucial role as we move forward.

(14:36) – Joyce and Jeff, why are you so passionate about these possibilities, and what led you to accept Kevin’s invitation to co-chair the council?

(16:25) – Talk about the importance our external healthcare providers and partners play in this bold future and how those relationships will be strengthened.

(18:45) - Kevin, what are next steps for the Council?

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Ubuntu is an ancient African word meaning “humanity to others”. It is often described as reminding us that “I am what I am because of who we all are.” It is a traditional African philosophy that emphasizes the interdependence of all people and the importance of community.

Core values of Ubuntu are: Compassion: Expressing compassion for others; Reciprocity: Treating others as you would want to be treated; Dignity: Valuing the dignity of all people; Humanity: Showing humanity to others; Mutuality: Working together for the benefit of the community.

Upenyu Majee and Halla Jones are working to establish the Institute for Ubuntu Thought and Practice (IUTP) at Michigan State University.

Conversation Highlights:

(0:32) – Upenyu, what’s your background, and what attracted you to MSU?

(1:53) – Halla, what brought you to MSU?

(2:44) – Say more about the Ubuntu Dialogues Project that initially brought you two together.

(4:24) – How did the project evolve into the institute?

(6:02) – What is the mission of the IUTP?

(11:04) – What is the change you would like to see in the world today and how can Ubuntu help us get there?

(13:47) – Why aren’t we there yet? The concept of Ubuntu sounds so good. How and why are our lived experiences important to understand? “We listen to understand.”

(21:12) – How is Ubuntu strategic and deeply necessary?

(23:42) – What would you like us to keep in mind about the IUTP?

(27:33) – How would you like citizens to get involved with IUTP? How do we get others to see themselves in the institute?

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

Give Green Day is MSU’s university-wide day of philanthropy featuring unique giving priorities from across campus, all geared to supporting student success. ​
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The goal is to provide an opportunity for all MSU connected programs to raise awareness for their funding needs and to encourage vital donations for their programs through outreach to alumni and friends of the university.​
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The Michigan State University Federal Credit Union is lead sponsor for Give Green Day 2025 and, along with MSU’s Office of the President, is providing a $100,000 challenge gift. The challenge gifts are used to incentivize giving by key audiences and encourage campus participation in promotion of the day.

MSU offers specific matches for students, first-time faculty/staff donors, and current parents of Spartans, while also running hourly challenges throughout the day to encourage donors to give multiple times in support of different areas.

On this episode of MSU Today, MSUFCU President and CEO April Clobes and MSU Assistant Vice President for Alumni Nick McLaren talk about the day.

Conversation Highlights:

(0:42) – What is Give Green Day, and how is it different from MSU’s daily philanthropy work?

(1:41) – Why is MSUFCU so interested in supporting Give Green Day? And why are you so supportive of MSU throughout the year?

(4:19) – How do the challenge gifts work?

(5:38) – Student success is a key focus of Give Green Day.

(7:34) – How do people participate in Give Green Day?

(10:51) – Final thoughts from MSUFCU, April?

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.