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SPECIAL FEATURE FOCUS MAGAZINE | MAY 2024

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Spotlight on MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz: Q&A with FOCUS Magazine

land-grant universities. We were created to advance foundation collaborates with the university, Innovation
the competitiveness of the state by unlocking access to Center and external partners to drive economic growth
cutting-edge knowledge for all, not just the privileged or across our region and state. In addition to supporting
— with the advent of Extension services — even just the MSU research through annual grants, the foundation
enrolled or degreed. manages research parks and facilities, conducts venture
investing through its Red Cedar Ventures and Michigan
In the 19th century, that took the form of bringing Rise funds and offers startup accelerator programs.
science and evidence-based practices to agriculture and,
over time, what they called “the mechanic arts.” In the The Research Foundation, in fact, just recently launched
21st century, it’s still about expanding the boundaries of its newest Conquer Accelerator cohorts, including one
scientific knowledge to improve how we produce our based in East Lansing sponsored by the MSU Federal
food and protect our environment. But it’s also about Credit Union. The Conquer Finance and Insurance
innovation in technologies like electric and autonomous Accelerator will provide five startup companies working
vehicles, AI, materials science and cutting-edge medical in the financial services and insurance area with initial
therapies. And it’s about innovating by applying funding from Red Cedar Ventures, mentorship from
interdisciplinary lenses to what we think we know — industry veterans and a variety of other support.
whether through quantum computing or creating art.
Q: With global competition for international
For our faculty innovators, we have built an innovation students intensifying, what steps will you take to
ecosystem that surrounds them with experienced ensure that Michigan State University remains a
entrepreneurs, seed funding and planning tools to top destination for students from around the world,
launch a company on a path to success. From the offering a welcoming and inclusive environment
earliest moments of discovery, faculty can get advice, that celebrates cultural diversity?
support, and funding to move their concept toward an
investable company. We can pair them with experienced A: One of the reasons I was so excited to accept the
business leaders to drive business development so our presidency of MSU is that we are a leading global public
faculty can serve as the “chief scientific officer” while research university. International students and scholars
remaining a strong member of our faculty and leader in have long been an incredibly important part of the
their academic field. Spartan community — in fact, last year, before I joined
the university, we celebrated the 150th anniversary of
Our MSU Innovation Center is a pivotal component MSU’s first international students. We’re proud that so
of our ecosystem dedicated to facilitating research many international students choose MSU not just for a
partnerships with corporations, transferring MSU world-class education but also because of our diverse
patents and innovations to businesses and starting and welcoming campus environment.
new companies. The Innovation Center dedicates more
than 20 people and several million dollars to facilitating I think MSU stands out with its holistic approach to
the fastest path to economic and societal impact international student engagement. Community building
from MSU’s intellectual assets. We partner with the starts long before students begin their first class, with
Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) admitted student and pre-departure orientation
to maximize our impact on Michigan through novel programs in several countries — and an enhanced
products and services. international student orientation program when they
arrive in East Lansing.
The Innovation Center is also a champion for the
region, partnering with the MEDC, Lansing Economic I’ve been especially impressed with our excellent Office
Area Partnership and other economic development for International Students and Scholars, which works
organizations. MSU hosts several MEDC grants that closely with the International Students Association to
invest in the earliest stages of translational research strengthen that sense of community. They offer a wide
that will foster the transition from research discoveries variety of programming such as field trips, service-learning
to a product or service that will impact the economy. opportunities and regular social events. Specialized career
Another vital component of our ecosystem is the MSU services are also available to help international students
Research Foundation, which is celebrating its 50th find internships and jobs after graduation, and our alumni
anniversary. Using licensing revenue from university office helps them stay connected with the global Spartan
intellectual property and its own investments, the network no matter where they go.

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