On May 5-6, 70 Michigan State University faculty members and administrators set out on the second Spartan Bus Tour, this time focused on learning about MSU’s research, outreach and partnership efforts in Detroit — and learning a little bit about the city’s culture and communities in the process.
Two days, 14 stops and 254 miles later, these Spartans found a new sense of community and connection — both with each other and with the Motor City. Here’s what participants had to say about their experience on the Spartan Bus Tour: Detroit Local Loop.
LeConté Dill, associate professor, College of Arts and Letters
“We joined an impeccably planned, organized and curated — down to the minute — journey.
“At the Zekelman Holcauset Center, we were immediately confronted with hard truths of state-sanctioned violence, discrimination and xenophobia. We were confronted with the knowing that, in many ways, this is still our present day. We were invited to remember resistance and coping. There, we saw the Anne Frank sapling, which symbolizes hope and rebirth. Like that tree, immediately afterwards, we were invited to the land at the Detroit Partnership for Food Learning and Innovation. For grounding, restoration, connection, neighborliness and nourishment, we were invited to form a circle. Some of us might do this in our classes or might consider doing so now.
“We experienced art in expected and unexpected spaces, across age and abilities.
“We saw vacant lots, and I invite us to remember the intentional, historic disinvestment in the city. We saw redevelopment, but we must look beyond the new and shiny and consider whether or not the development is equitable.
“We saw that working in groups starts with self-introspection about our own communication, and then communicating and documenting how we tick, how we’re triggered, how we might want to be called in, how we want to agree to engage in collective work.
“We were in the Motor City — we saw where and how the motors are made, and some of us got caffeine for our own motors.
“Then we went to the hallowed ground of Hitsville U.S.A. My ‘cousin’ Stevland Morris, or Stevie Wonder, would call it ‘Higher Ground.’ In that ‘Village Ghetto Land’ of Detroit, ‘You and I’ got to learn about ‘Another Star’ who was ‘Living for the City,’ whose ‘Fingertips’ tickled ‘Ebony and Ivory’ keys, and many of us left ‘Overjoyed.’”
Ed Timke, assistant professor, College of Communication Arts and Sciences
“The bus tour showed me the perseverance and grit we have as Michiganders and Spartans to help others and the world solve some of the most pressing problems of our time.
“I saw how MSU’s reach spreads far and wide across the state in ways I never anticipated — and in areas as diverse as cutting-edge medical care to urban farming to the arts.
“As someone who first came to MSU as an undergraduate over 20 years ago, drawn to both its vast resources and its small, tight-knit communities, I was reminded of the power of our land-grant mission to solve problems together. The bus tour also reminded me why I came back to MSU — it’s a university that values community engagement, public service and opportunity for all.”
Charles “Chaz” Hong, MSU Research Foundation Professor, College of Human Medicine
“Day two of the Spartan Bus Tour began by visiting MSU Detroit Center/Community Music School. For me, it was a personal journey because I attended elementary school just a block away from the MSU Detroit Center. It was wonderful to see all the things that MSU Detroit Center was doing for my old community, especially the music school. We then moved a few miles north, where we participated in the Henry Ford Health + MSU Health Sciences research building construction site. This stop was also personal for me because I lived on Second Avenue a mile south of the new building going up. It was so good to see that Henry Ford Health stayed in Detroit when so many others moved out, and even better to see MSU invest in my stomping grounds.
“But perhaps more extraordinary was what was happening in the Spartan Bus Tour itself. I met faculty and administrators from all aspects of MSU. That breadth and depth of talent and expertise in that bus is perhaps the most amazing, and humbling, aspect of the tour. I became friends with Spartans from different colleges, different campuses, different roles and different fields, some of which I didn’t even know about. For a cardiologist, whose usual notion of ‘diverse opinion’ is talking to a cardiac surgeon, I was awe struck by the diversity and awesomeness inside that bus! We are as diverse and awesome as the communities we serve. MSU is a true UNIVERSE-ity!”
Mengyan Ma, assistant professor, College of Communication Arts and Sciences
“I earned my master’s degree (2015) and doctoral degree (2021) from Michigan State University and returned to teach here in fall 2024. While I have witnessed the incredible impact of leaders, educators, scholars and staff on our students through teaching, research and service, primarily within my college, this bus tour was my first opportunity to see how our university, as a united team, contributes to, supports and collaborates with Detroit communities.
“Through this experience, I realized the potential of the direct impact I could make on the community, even as an early career, female, first-generation immigrant faculty member. I was deeply moved by the enduring passion and enthusiasm of senior faculty and staff who have dedicated decades, or even their entire lives, to their work. I never imagined I would have the opportunity to be so close to our university president and distinguished scholars who genuinely listened to me, despite being new and early in my career. Collaborative projects are definitely on the horizon! We discussed ideas and plans with faculty members from various colleges and have already scheduled a project meeting with a stakeholder. I am genuinely excited to see where these conversations lead.”
Esmaeil Nasrollahiazar, viticulture educator, MSU Extension
“Participating in the Spartan Bus Tour was an inspiring and enriching experience. The tour provided a firsthand look at Michigan State University’s deep-rooted partnerships throughout Detroit, highlighting impactful initiatives in health care, education, technology and the arts. A particularly memorable moment was signing a beam destined for the new Henry Ford Health and MSU Health Sciences building — a powerful symbol of our shared commitment to advancing health and education.
“Engaging with President Kevin Guskiewicz and fellow Spartans fostered meaningful connections and opened doors for future collaborations. I’m grateful to the MSU Office of the President and all involved for organizing such a meaningful journey.”
Iglika Pavlova, associate professor, College of Natural Science
“The people who welcomed us on the varied Spartan Bus Tour stops care deeply about their community and are active agents of connection and resilience. I’m inspired to connect to local communities in ways that would be meaningful to them and to integrate community, culture, history and art in my science teaching and educational scholarship. Joy is such a powerful force that, with colleagues from the bus tour, we want to explore ways that we can weave joy into our work to build community, purpose and resilience.”
Quentin Tyler, director, MSU Extension
“This tour felt like a deliberate effort to showcase our impact and reinforce our role as the university for the state of Michigan. I often describe MSU Extension as ‘the people’s organization’ because our work begins by listening to the residents of Michigan. We learn directly from their experiences and then collaborate with the exceptional researchers at MSU to translate that knowledge into practical resources. These resources empower Michiganders to improve their families, communities, businesses and individual lives. In my view, this responsiveness is what truly distinguishes us, and the president’s bus tour, along with its participants, exemplified this spirit in their own unique ways.
“For me, as a director within MSU Extension, this tour was inspiring, engaging, meaningfully enlightening, and reinforced how each person contributes to fulfilling our land-grant mission. As someone in an outward-facing leadership role, I gained a deeper understanding of a city I already thought I knew well. It was a listening and learning journey that fostered a strong sense of belonging among the 65-75 of us traveling through Detroit, with numerous stops and interactions with remarkable people.
“Observing how each person embraces the land-grant mission of service, extending our work beyond the campus, was a key takeaway. I left with a profound sense of impact and gratitude for being part of MSU, MSUE, and the ongoing collaborations highlighted by our host sites. The countless conversations and brainstorming sessions among bus participants between stops further solidified this feeling. The Detroit Spartan Bus Tour was far more than just a group of faculty and administrators traveling through Detroit; it was a powerful demonstration that we are ‘one team’ with a shared goal, a common vision, and a unified purpose: to truly be the university for the state of Michigan.”
Rhonda Conner-Warren, assistant professor and pediatric nurse practitioner, College of Nursing
“Embarking on the Spartan Bus Tour was more than a professional endeavor; it was a reunion of hearts, a gathering of souls united by a common mission. Traveling alongside colleagues whose work I’ve admired from afar, it felt as though we were family members reconnecting after years apart. The tour was a tapestry of stories — of lives lived with intention, of communities served with dedication. A few of us hail from Detroit or its surrounding areas, and witnessing firsthand the impact of MSU’s outreach in these communities was profoundly inspiring. Each stop on the journey was a testament to the university’s unwavering commitment to the people of Michigan, a living legacy of service and scholarship.
“In the company of fellow Spartans, I found not just colleagues but kindred spirits. Our conversations were rich with shared experiences and aspirations, each story adding depth to our collective narrative. This journey reminded me that the heart of our work lies not just in research and service, but in the relationships we build and the lives we touch. As I look ahead, I’m excited to continue this journey — engaging in research with the kinesiology department, exploring behavioral psychology, delving into African American studies, and strengthening university partnerships with organizations like the Detroit Partnership for Food Learning and Innovation, or DPFLI, and Community Music School – Detroit and Focus: HOPE. These endeavors align with MSU’s mission and vision, and I am honored to contribute to this shared legacy. The Spartan Bus Tour was more than an event; it was a restoration of spirit, a reaffirmation of purpose and a celebration of community. I wholeheartedly recommend this experience to all faculty and staff — it is a journey that will inspire, connect and renew.”
Kaston Anderson Jr., associate professor, College of Social Science
“The Bus Tour is an experience I think all faculty and staff, regardless of college/unit/department, would never forget — I know I won’t forget it.
“This was a transformational experience that reaffirmed the importance of community-academic partnerships. It was gratifying to see, in action, MSU’s firm commitment to reimagining and redefining what it means to be cocreators of knowledge with communities we serve. The Spartan Bus Tour fostered new collaborations and community partners, as well as innovative ideas to center community voices that are too often silenced.”
Katharine Merritt, teaching specialist, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
“Reflecting on this bus tour, I realize it was more than just a professional journey — it felt like a return to the camaraderie of summer camp, where a unique group of people shared a brief, meaningful moment in time. Throughout the trip, I had the chance to meet many new colleagues, learning about their diverse backgrounds, passions and visions for the future. The itinerary was well-thought-out, offering both structure and a variety of content. I returned energized, buzzing with possibilities and ready to channel these fresh insights into my teaching.
“My conversation with Laurel Ofstein from the Burgess Institute opened up ways to integrate entrepreneurship into my economic development class. Chatting with Daniel Rosenbaum from the College of Law, we learned we both share an interest in local government, and it was valuable to hear ideas from his municipal law course. I’m also eager to explore working with Henry Ford Academy on ways to introduce high school students to urban planning and using DPFLI as a case study on urban agriculture, community engagement and land use.
“I’m forever grateful for this opportunity and proud to be part of this community. #gogreen”
Laurel Ofstein, director, Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and assistant professor, Broad College of Business
“The Spartan Bus Tour gave me the unique opportunity to spend dedicated time learning about MSU’s current and potential partnerships throughout the Detroit metro area. The stops opened my eyes to how MSU Extension is collaborating with local Detroit neighborhoods to enhance the lives of the communities where our current and prospective students live, as well as our alums and employees. As faculty director of the Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, I see incredible potential for working with colleagues I met from across the university to collaborate on building new and extending existing classroom and experiential programs. I came back from the bus tour energized, inspired and proud to be part of a land-grant university living its mission by prioritizing partnerships with diverse groups beyond central campus.”
Daniel Rosenbaum, assistant professor, College of Law
“The tour offered a really unique perspective. All of our stops were different, but on each stop, we met people who had made a deliberate choice to put down roots and invest in Detroit. There were refugees who created new lives in Detroit, artists who created new spaces, educators who created pathways for a new generation, and more. In different ways, each of these communities chose to be in Detroit (or stay in Detroit) and contribute to the region. MSU’s investment in Detroit reflects a similar choice to commit to this place and to these communities. Each community is stronger for the choices the others have made. It was inspiring to see a very small piece of their collective impact.”
M. Isabel Ayala, associate professor, College of Social Science
“The MSU bus tour centered community, strengthening relationships, reflection and joy. Every intentionally curated site on our Detroit Local Loop Tour was transformative on many levels. Each organization we visited during our fully packed two-day tour allowed me to recognize MSU’s reach, from education and engineering to health and the arts. Yet, it was the human and community component of this experience that was the most impactful.
“During the tour, we connected with a range of people who work every day wholeheartedly, often beyond their official work descriptions to make their communities a better place. From fostering spaces of growth, self-knowledge and skill development via music, the arts and education, every organization we visited is making a difference. Every site was different in scope but there were some common themes: the importance of cocreating, partnering, connecting and investing in each other as key to the work that each organization and person does; immense gratitude to MSU’s community for partnering with them; and a call for all of us to imagine the existing possibilities of future partnerships.
“I should state that the call from our partners to continue, strengthen and develop new partnerships was taken seriously among the group. How do I know? Well, because our bus was never quiet. Throughout the ride between the sites, while sharing a meal, or through collective moments of reflection, everyone was always talking about a story that touched them, as well as the possibilities, potential strategies or research, and who else we needed to loop into the conversation to make things happen.
“During the tour, I learned a lot about my colleagues. I learned that they have many talents beyond their academic and scientific ones . . . yes, there are dancers, musicians and gymnasts among our group, thus putting my ‘killer tres leches’ skill-making to shame. I also learned about MSU and some of the impactful work it does in Detroit. In addition to learning, this tour also strengthened my commitment to higher education and working at MSU. I am very proud of being a social scientist who is invested in teaching and advancing sociology and Chicano/Latino studies, and the Spartan Bus Tour gifted me a renewed sense of purpose as I continue my professional journey.”
Kevin McGraw, chairperson and professor, College of Natural Science
“What a fantastic trip it was! I’m very grateful for the opportunity to connect on the road for two days with so many Spartan colleagues and together learn about MSU’s current collaborations and potential opportunities across metropolitan Detroit. With that privilege comes great responsibility and, as my research focuses on the urban ecology of birds, I’m inspired to do more to improve the health and biodiversity of wild bird populations in our Michigan cities.”
Marcio Oliveria, vice provost for Teaching Learning and Innovation, Office of the Provost
“Imagine embarking on a two-day journey of learning experience on wheels, where your sense of institutional purpose is reawakened by the stories, struggles and triumphs of a city in motion. The
Spartan Bus Tour wasn’t just an off-campus journey — it was a call to action. As we witnessed both the depth and potential of MSU’s engagement with local communities, I was reminded of the power of education to shape lives and strengthen organizations. This experience sparked new partnerships and inspired me to co-author a more vibrant and equitable future for our region and beyond. I left energized — by my fellow participants, by the changemakers we met, and by the momentum that we now collectively carry to build a far better world.”
Ben Bushong, associate professor, College of Social Science
“The impact of the Spartan Bus Tour is hard to put into words. There’s simply no substitute for forging genuine, personal connections with our stakeholders, and I’m deeply grateful to each of them for generously sharing their time. But some of the most meaningful moments came not during the official stops, but in the quiet in-betweens — and it was in those moments that President Guskiewicz’s remarkable leadership truly shone. His compassion and tireless work ethic left a lasting impression on me, and I hope to carry that example forward as I continue building relationships with others from the tour.”
Val Kucherenko, director of the Center for Railway Research and Education, Broad College of Business
“The tour was a truly meaningful experience — both intellectually and emotionally. It offered a unique opportunity to witness firsthand how Michigan State University actively engages with Detroit-area communities. Through thoughtful partnerships, MSU helps disseminate knowledge and invest in the development of future talent. I was struck by the extent of MSU’s presence and influence beyond East Lansing. The university’s statewide engagement strategy enables learners, practitioners and institutions across Michigan to access and contribute to meaningful educational and community development efforts. It reinforced the idea that MSU is not just a campus — it is a network of opportunity and collaboration.
“Before the tour, my understanding of MSU’s footprint in the Detroit region was limited. The opportunity to engage in conversations with colleagues and visit sites — such as the Apple Developer Academy, which welcomes learners from all backgrounds to explore project management, coding and innovation or Henry Ford Health, where MSU’s partnership is contributing to groundbreaking cancer research — deepened my appreciation for the university’s impact.
“One of the most rewarding aspects of the tour was the opportunity to build new connections — not only with organizations, but also with MSU faculty from across disciplines. The diversity of thought and shared commitment to engaged scholarship have already sparked ideas for future collaboration. I look forward to continuing conversations and exploring joint initiatives that extend the tour’s spirit of connection and shared purpose.”
