On Feb. 14, 2025, the Broad College of Business opened its newest initiative to support Broad students, The Broad Care Center. With guidance from Jessica Gray, coordinator of student wellness and academic success, the care center is a place where all Broad students can receive free supplies such as food, cleaning supplies and more.
At the heart of this initiative is the belief that wellness should be accessible, efficient, and centered on the needs of individuals. Gray, (B.A. Social Work ’18, Master’s Social Work ’20) is completing her first year at MSU in her role. Her goal was to create a solution that bridged the gap between academic success and basic needs that, for some, can be hard to come by. After four years of working within the Ann Arbor community, Gray wanted to focus her talents on working with college students, helping to set them up for success. Her goal is to create a space for students to have access to basic need items, allowing them to be more focused on their academic success.
As coordinator of student wellness and academic success, Gray is actively assisting students in finding available resources for non-academic success and working with faculty members to see what would lead to the best outcomes. She also frequently engages in public speaking engagements on topics like time management, crisis navigation, and overall student wellness.
Leading the charge for student wellness
This initiative has been widely supported by multiple organizations throughout the college. After sharing her thoughts with The Multicultural Business Program, they offered Gray the space for the center and shelving. The School of Hospitality and Business and the Department of Accounting and Information Systems won a college-wide friendly competition to raise money and supplies for the center. With the help of The Russell Palmer Center, donors like SC Johnson Family Co., are actively working with the care center to provide assistance. Additional support came from several student workers, the dean’s office, The Residential Business Community, the Marketing and Communications team, Broad faculty and staff, and Undergraduate Academic Services.
“[Student volunteers and Broad organizations] have been like my foundation, helping me get this together, listening to my ideas, presenting new ideas, and helping me as I navigate the nuances of this,” says Gray.
Growing the program: Expanding support and resources
As the program continues to grow, the goal is to expand its reach by increasing the availability of essential supplies and fostering a strong network of supporters. The care center is dedicated to ensuring that community members have access to the resources they need, but this effort relies heavily on the participation of students. If all Broad students utilize resources like the center, it removes the stigma that these programs are only for those facing financial struggles, which can discourage use.
“Don’t hesitate. And don’t be so concerned that you’re taking away from somebody else because we are literally here for [everyone]. And so my hope and my prayer is that it just gets blown out the water,” Gray says.
By increasing contributions, the center aims to broaden the range of services and supplies offered, from nutrition to personal care items, ensuring that no student goes without necessary support.
How the Broad Care Center works
The system works in two main ways: students can either place a mobile order online for a discreetly packed bag, which can be received within 48 hours, or schedule an in-person appointment to select items themselves. Additionally, an emergency resource station has been established where students can access essential items like food and hygiene products by visiting the Undergraduate Academic Services, or UAS, office in the Eppley Center room E101. The center is for all Broad-affiliated students, undergraduate, graduate, and Ph.D., regardless of financial need.
“I want to tap into the students who need the support but don’t know where to start. And I know the best way to do that and reduce the stigma around [the center, by saying that it] is for everybody to utilize it, and be like, hey, I need this and to recommend it,” Gray said.
Opportunities to get involved
The center is in need of volunteers to help with various aspects of its operations. Whether assisting with support services, organizing donated supplies, simply spreading the word, or participating in outreach initiatives, volunteers play a crucial role in making the care center a welcoming and effective resource.
“I really want students to come in and feel comfortable utilizing this. And making it a part of their normal experience instead of a special thing for when things are really needed, I just want our students to take better care of themselves and be provided the resources to do so,” says Gray.
For those interested in donating, the center accepts new, high-quality items that align with its mission of providing dignity and comfort to those in need. The center also has an Amazon Wishlist for continued needs. However, to maintain safety and effectiveness, certain items cannot be accepted, including:
- Any item that has been used or is not of a quality that would be personally used
- Medications of any kind
- Spoilable food
- Clothing
Every contribution — whether time, supplies or financial support—makes a significant difference.
Those interested in volunteering or donating can reach out to Jessica Gray at grayjes2@broad.msu.edu for more details on how to get involved and support this important initiative.
To read the full story, visit the Broad College of Business website.