At the heart of the Inclusive Campus Initiative (ICI), which advocates for historically marginalized students, is the ICI Student Advisory Committee. The formation of the Student Advisory Committee put a name to the group of students who had already been working as leaders and advocates with ICI since it was started in 2021.

In their role on the Student Advisory Committee, students act as a liaison between marginalized communities at MSU and the ICI. In doing so, they ensure that MSU administration is made aware of pressing student issues. The students also gain skills in community-building and problem-solving, which will help them in their future careers.

Meaghan Kozar, Ph.D., who heads up the ICI, guides the students as they work toward making the campus more inclusive and create a sense of belonging. She also facilitates partnerships with organizations outside of MSU, such as local cultural centers.

The MSU community as a whole benefits from ICI and the Student Advisory Committee’s work. Not only does this work make the community more aware of the challenges faced by marginalized communities, but it is also helping to remove barriers for students, staff, and administration.

Kozar hopes students feel empowered through the ICI Student Advisory Committee. “We still have ongoing projects and work to do,” she says. “However, we have seen progress and students are aware that staff and administration are listening to their needs.”