'The Ground Beneath Us': Inclusive Impact Conference returns to MSU

The Inclusive Impact Conference will return to Michigan State University Aug. 3 for its third annual event, bringing together campus and community partners for a day of learning, connection and collaboration.

Held at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center, the event continues to grow as a space for people to share ideas, build skills and strengthen inclusive practices across higher education and beyond.

The Inclusive Impact Conference is led by the Inclusive Campus Initiative, with support from a planning committee of volunteers. The event is open to all and welcomes participants from MSU and communities across the state and country.

A theme grounded in reflection and renewal

This year’s conference centers on the theme “The Ground Beneath Us: What Holds Us When Everything Shifts.”

The theme reflects a time of change across institutions, communities and daily life. It invites participants to consider what helps people stay grounded and supported, even as conditions shift.

The conference will move through three focus areas: roots, practice and power. Participants will begin by reflecting on where they come from, then shift to the work of caring for themselves and others and close by looking ahead to what stronger, more connected communities can build together.

Organizers also emphasize the importance of rest and renewal. Like soil that needs time to recover, people and organizations need space to recharge so they can continue meaningful work.

A day of learning and connection

This year’s conference will feature keynote speakers, breakout sessions and opportunities to engage across roles and experiences.

Sessions are designed to give participants tools they can take back to their teams, from improving communication to strengthening inclusive practices in daily work.

Yomaira C. Figueroa-Vásquez will open the conference. Figueroa-Vásquez is a writer, teacher and scholar who serves as professor of Africana, Puerto Rican and Latino studies and director of the Center for Puerto Rican Studies at City University of New York Hunter. A first-generation college graduate, Figueroa-Vásquez is known for mentoring students and leading initiatives that support underrepresented scholars. Her work explores culture, history and identity, as well as how communities build knowledge and connection.

Figueroa-Vásquez is the author of the award-winning book “Decolonizing Diasporas: Radical Mappings of Afro-Atlantic Literature.” She is also the author of the forthcoming book “The Survival of a People,” under contract with Duke University Press.

Her work has been published in Hypatia, Decolonization, CENTRO Journal, Small Axe, Frontiers Journal, Hispanófila, Contemporânea, Diálogos and Feminist Formations.

The conference will close with Joshua Doss, a pollster, data scientist and political strategist who studies how culture, identity and public opinion intersect in modern America. He is the founder of Discourse Media and a leader in national research and strategy work. His efforts have helped shape messaging, campaigns and narrative frameworks for major organizations and movements.

Doss focuses on understanding the deeper forces that drive political behavior, especially among young voters and communities of color. His research has informed national conversations on democracy, economic mobility and social change. He is widely recognized for translating complex data into clear, accessible insights.

Beyond research, Doss has built a strong media presence, reaching millions across platforms with content that links politics, culture and storytelling. His work helps organizations better understand the communities they serve and respond more effectively.

Building on a growing tradition

First hosted at MSU in 2024, the Inclusive Impact Conference was created to bring together faculty, staff, students and community members to expand learning and advance inclusion. The annual event focuses on strengthening relationships across campus and beyond. By bringing together different perspectives, organizers aim to support collaboration and create lasting impact.

As participation grows, the conference continues to support MSU’s broader efforts to strengthen workplace culture, employee engagement and community partnerships.

Registration and participation details

The Inclusive Impact Conference takes place Aug. 3 at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center, located at 219 S. Harrison Road in East Lansing.

Registration includes a full day of programming, with breakfast, lunch, snacks, keynote speakers and breakout sessions.

• MSU participant cost: $75
• Non-MSU participant cost: $100

Register online by July 27; please note that registration will close once event reaches capacity. A hotel block is available at the Kellogg Center for those traveling to attend the conference.

Sponsors

The 2026 Inclusive Impact Conference is sponsored by:

• Executive sponsors
  • Office of the Executive Vice President for Administration
  • Residential and Hospitality Services
    
• Gold ($3,000+)
  • Office of the Provost
  • The Graduate School
  • University Health and Wellbeing
    
• Silver ($1,000+)
  • Eli Broad College of Business
  • College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
  • Office for Inclusive Excellence and Impact
  • International Studies and Programs
  • Lyman Briggs College

If your unit, department or organization would like to sponsor the event, please reach out to Inclusive Campus Initiative Director Meaghan Kozar at kozarmea@msu.edu.