Conference Presentations

Institutions are struggling to increase retention and success for students from underrepresented and marginalized backgrounds. Michigan State University's (MSU) Multicultural Center offers safe spaces for education, healing, community, and building solidarity with one other. From advocacy to implementation, the student-driven process behind multicultural center was authentic and inclusive, resulting in a multi-functional facility that serves a highly diverse set of cultural activities and promotes a sense of belonging and wellbeing. Involving students at the highest levels of project decision-making during planning and the design process can reinforce an institution's mission around education and commitment to creating authentic, inclusive campus environments.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Respond to students' facilities needs by choosing a student-centric planning and design process.
2. Identify universal design principles that support design justice for a wide range of underrepresented students on a university campus.
3. Explain how to lead a belonging-centered planning and design process that places student needs and wellbeing before university policies and procedures.
4. Share a list of tangible take-aways and lessons learned that you can apply to future projects that prioritize inclusion, wellbeing, and community.

Presenters:

Tricia Beck, Vice President, Higher Education Studio Leader, SmithGroup
Monteil Crawley, Principal, SmithGroup
Sharron Dynasty Reed-Davis, Program Coordinator, W*SS: Advancing Women, Michigan State University (main campus)
Genyne Royal, Assistant Vice President of Student Life and Engagement for DEIB, Michigan State University (main campus)

Delivered 07/22/2024.

EVENT REGISTRANTS ONLY
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