Before that, though, Whitmer received a tour of the house and got the opportunity to see the rooms she lived in decades ago.

She then sat down with the students who asked her about her experiences at MSU and in the sorority, before the conversation shifted to her post-college political career.  

Most people are not aware that the first elected office Whitmer held was the presidency at Kappa Alpha Theta, she told the group. Whitmer said being president of the sorority provided her with experiences she later applied to her role as governor. 

“Being president of a big house on campus was never easy, but I have learned that with every office comes things that are not always comfortable, but it’s incredibly rewarding," Whitmer said. "I’ve made lifelong relationships with each office I have held because of this opportunity." 

Whitmer's visit was partially inspired by the impact that her time in the sorority has had on her life, Whitmer's press secretary, Stacey LaRouche, said.

“You know she has always wanted to come back there, with her being the president there, especially with this election being so important, it allowed her the opportunity to speak to the girls at her house,” LaRouche said. 

LaRouche added that because MSU holds a deep place in Whitmer’s heart, she wants to return to campus and educate the younger audience to vote. 

While speaking to students, Whitmer emphasized that voting is a right held by each eligible person in the United States. The younger generation makes a difference in these elections that have profound consequences on our lives, Whitmer said, adding that young people now have fewer barriers to voting. 

“The law used to be that you had to vote in person on election day, and it really disenfranchised first time voters," Whitmer told The State News, "which is why we changed that law, but you know not everyone exercises that."

Whitmer discussed strategies for increasing voter turnout with the younger generation. Most important, she said, was "talking about issues that matter to young people."

"Listening, asking questions (like) 'What’s important to you?'" she said. 

Whitmer left students with the reminder that, similar to her own experience, their time at MSU can help shape their futures. 

“What happens on campus has such an impact on your life-long activity in taking part in our government and our governments,” Whitmer told them. 

And for her, that journey started on campus in a Kappa Alpha Theta office. 

"In every office that I sought I didn’t really consider myself a candidate," Whitmer said. "... I would never envision I would be an office holder. There was always someone else that saw something in me and made the suggestion … I’ve gotten more confidence in each office that I’ve held."