By Kara Mackenzie

What does it mean to welcome students from arrival to connection? After years of research and planning, a team from across MSU is exploring that question through Welcome to State, a new, expanded approach to fall welcome that emphasizes community, belonging and student success.

This year's Welcome to State initiative takes a more coordinated, long-term approach that focuses not only on arrival but also on helping students find belonging throughout the first six weeks of the semester and beyond.

"We're trying to broaden the scope to welcome all Spartans, new and returning, to Michigan State and to the community at large," said Suchitra Webster, director of the Office of Community and Student Relations. "This is not just trying to cram a bunch of events into that first week. It's really a more comprehensive approach to understanding our students and their needs and trying to map things out more intentionally."

Spanning Aug. 1 through Homecoming weekend in early October, the initiative is being led through a first-of-its-kind collaboration among executive sponsors Residence Education and Housing Services, Student Affairs and Undergraduate Education, along with partners from across the university.

By expanding the campaign to six weeks, students have more opportunities to explore available events and resources, making it easier to find their place and take advantage of all MSU has to offer without becoming overwhelmed.

"We have a lot of student development theory that informs us that students who are connected persist to graduation at a higher rate," said Natisha Foster, operations and safety coordinator with the MSU Department of Police and Public Safety. "This is a way to make sure we're continuing that support and meeting students where they may need it, which may not be on day one."

Another benefit of the expanded Welcome to State approach is increased collaboration, allowing units from across campus to pool resources and highlight events from colleges, departments and registered student organizations. Under the shared goal of strengthening student connection and belonging, hundreds of employees across the university work together to make Welcome to State possible.

According to Foster, the new approach "was a way for us to try and get all of the key stakeholders in the room, planning together, moving in one direction and really leveraging our resources in the most effective ways for student success."

Learn more about Welcome to State and read the other short stories in the Welcome to State story series.