The Spartan Statue on Michigan State University's campus in East Lansing, Mich., on May 26, 2025. The almost 10' tall bronze statue is a replica of the original terra cotta statue housed inside of Spartan Stadium.
While many faculty members have been immersed in summer writing, research projects, teaching and overseas fieldwork, the recent developments within the university's upper administration have been unexpected.
There are those who appreciate the president's decision to remain at MSU and recognize the strengths he brings to this leadership role. Others empathized with the heartfelt concerns he shared in his departure email, while have have voiced frustration with the swift changes.
As a foreign-born faculty member who has had the privilege of briefly serving in the Faculty Senate and university steering committee, after chairing a former president-led committee, all elected roles and observing the work of several recent presidents, it appears that MSU has benefited from strong leadership over the years since 2019. Many of these leaders have demonstrated compassion and concern for the most marginalized members of the community.
The courage and openness demonstrated by several trustees is also noteworthy. While there are often differences of opinion within the community, speaking with integrity and principle is a value worthy of respect and appreciation.
It is sometimes under appreciated how well MSU is positioned compared to other institutions. At a recent national workshop in my discipline, I heard faculty from other universities describe significant challenges in teaching certain topics or engaging in particular types of research, challenges that are less broadly encountered at MSU.
Many international faculty and scholars have chosen MSU because of its reputation for research, teaching excellence and its diverse community, with the hope of building a productive, respectful and healthy life in America. Institutional environments matter, especially for those who have overcome significant obstacles to settle in a new country and excel as educators and researchers. MSU's outstanding global vision and commitment to inclusion have attracted faculty and students from around the world over the past decades.
A more open-hearted approach from all members of the community may help address institutional challenges, which can rarely be solved by any one individual. Progress is likely to depend on the collective efforts, patience and goodwill of the MSU community. We are a community of many heroes. Many have made quit, yet meaningful contributions — some bring people together, some inspire and some make a difference without seeking recognition. With continued dedication, MSU can remain a meeting ground for ideas and innovation, an empowering institution and an example for other institutions around the world.
Guo Chen is a tenured faculty member of the College of Social Science at MSU (currently on sabbatical Fall 2026). She was an elected faculty senator in 2023-2024, served as an all-faculty-elected At-Large-Member of the Steering Committee in Fall 2024, and served on the Asian Pacific American Studies Executive Committee and Asian Studies Advisory Council. She is an educator, scholar, journal editor and public intellectual.
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