College of Social Science hosts campus tour for members of Minority Student Achievement Network

November 26, 2024 - Emily Jodway

Students from the Minority Student Achievement Network sit in on a drone display by the Geography Department. Photos by Jacqueline Hawthorne

On November 14, the College of Social Science hosted high school students from the Minority Student Achievement Network (MSAN) on campus for a tour through the College, highlighting the innovations and impactful work being done by Social Science students and faculty alike. 

MSAN is a nationwide group of multiracial school districts whose goal is to improve access, opportunity and achievement for students of color. For over 20 years, they have worked to support districts in their shared goals of eliminating disparities while ensuring all students achieve to the highest levels possible. 

The MSAN’s annual conference was held this week in East Lansing, and brought together over 150 high-achieving students of color from school districts across the country. Part of the week’s programming was a visit to MSU, in which students divided up into groups based on their areas of interest. 

The College of Social Science tour was led by Associate Dean for Access, Faculty Development and Strategic Implementation and Jack and Margaret Sweet Endowed Professor of History, Nwando Achebe. 

"It was an unforgettable experience for the minoritized high school students we welcomed to campus from across the country,” Achebe said. “Through immersive, hands-on sessions with our distinguished faculty and students, they delved into criminal justice, digital history, forensic anthropology, and cutting-edge drone technology, while tackling real-world challenges. These students witnessed firsthand the power of research, technology, and creative thinking that will inspire them for years to come. This event was a celebration of their immense potential, and we are proud to have played a role in their educational journey."

The tour began with a welcome message from Achebe followed by a session with the School of Criminal Justice’s Cold Case Lab. Faculty and students from the school, led by CJ instructor Allison Rojek, showcased their collaboration with the Michigan State Police Cold Case Unit to assist in cracking unsolved homicide cases. The group stayed in the Old Horticulture building but moved on to the history department, where they learned about the efforts of the department to advance the future of history. Students had the opportunity to visit the Lab for the Education and Advancement in Digital Research (LEADR) where its director, Gillian MacDonald, showcased some of the lab’s recent projects, including videos, podcasts, and the use of 3D modeling and printing to bring the past to life. 

The final lab visit was to the Department of Anthropology’s Forensics Lab, where students simulated the work of a professional Forensic Investigator. They learned about techniques being used by these experts to solve cases, and how skeletal evidence can reveal a person’s unique traits, who they were and what they did for a living, and, in some cases, even what led to their death. The simulation was facilitated by Assistant Professor Carolyn Isaac. Note: the 'bones' used were for simulation purposes only and made of plastic.

The group ended the tour in Kedzie hall, where they took part in a drone demonstration put on by the geography department. Throughout the hands-on demos, Assistant Professor Erin Bunting explained how the use of this technology is helping to advance data collection, research and outreach in the department and beyond. 

Each department also shared information on example courses and research programs being offered by the College. For more information on the College of Social Science at MSU, click here.