Antonice Russaw is a fourth-year student in psychology in the College of Social Science. She is a transfer student and a member of several student organizations.
I transferred from a community college and then a university and then to MSU. It was just a lot of moving around and getting used to everything coming to MSU from a smaller kind of university. It was a lot different for me.
The hardest thing for me being a transfer student, was trying to figure out my credits and getting everything situated in making sure my grades were up to date and that the stuff I needed was actually correct.
After my first year here, however, I would say that I really found my community within all of my different organizations that I am a part of. I'm involved in the Dow STEM Scholars Program, the Office of Cultural and Academic Transitions, TRIO Student Support Services and the Transfer Student Advisory Board. The TSAB advisers, Dr. Charles and Mr. Ashley, have personally helped me through many challenges here at MSU from helping to advocate for me with different offices to supporting me through finals week and being a listening ear. I'm also in FAME. Being part of FAME has given me the opportunity to be a voice for other students by being on the student speakers bureau and sharing my experiences with donors, current students and future students. The program director has also been a big part in helping me through challenges here at MSU as well.
At MSU, it's about creating that village and having those people in your corner. For me, it is being part of my different organizations and different support groups within MSU.
I also serve on the executive board for Successful Black Women of Michigan State University. Our mission includes helping other Black women build their community here at a PWI (predominantly white institution) like MSU and increase the graduation rates. Being a Black woman at a Big Ten PWI like MSU has come with several challenges, whether it be within different offices of the institution, facility and staff, other students or the institution itself. Oftentimes it's due to a simple lack of empathy, understanding and poor comprehension skills. Having the amazing village I do have has helped me find my voice and not be afraid to be the “problem student." Although sitting through long meetings can get frustrating, I often find peace knowing the impact it could have for others like me who may face a similar issue. I also see it as a chance to educate others and provide input to creating a more inclusive environment for everyone at MSU.
Being a Spartan to me is about empowering others and making sure that you have your village. With that is also being able to give back and/or help directly those people who maybe don't have that village yet. We're all here to create something better for ourselves or families and for some of us we are that change for our families. Throughout this journey it is very important to also take care of yourself because it starts with you, so make sure YOU are happy and healthy first which is where the importance of your own village comes in.
MSU is super big, so it's about those things that make it feel a little more personal and homey that make you feel safe and want to claim yourself as a Spartan.