Since 2023, the Love, ComArtSci program has been supporting students, faculty, and staff by providing them with community-building and self-care opportunities.

Love, ComArtSci was established after the violence that MSU experienced in February 2023 as a way to give back to the campus community. “Initially, our goal was to encourage our students to persist through challenging times and show support to them as they were navigating the days ahead,” said Jada Flowers, a project and event coordinator for the College of Communication Arts and Sciences (ComArtSci).

When the program began, space was held to allow students to connect with faculty and community members through therapy dogs, Squishmallows, food, art, and a variety of donated items from local businesses. As time passed, ComArtSci extended the programming as a way to continue supporting students, faculty, staff, and community members.

“As a part of our continued efforts to support student success and show appreciation for our ComArtSci community, we established a goal to formalize this programming monthly as a small way to give back,” Flowers said. “Our goal is to simply reach as many students, faculty, and staff in our community as possible, and provide them with a space to meet new people and bond over shared interests and activities.”

Not only has the program allowed students to get to know faculty, staff, and leadership in the college, but it has also given campus faculty and staff the opportunity to deeply engage with their own community. “Our faculty and staff have been primary volunteers for the events, as well as our ComArtSci DEI student staff,” Flowers said. “We have also had volunteers from all over the university assist with setting up the events, staffing tables, distributing items, and explaining the importance of the initiative to students.”

Volunteers at Love, ComArtSci events have the chance to get to know their students while also building connections across campus. “For our faculty and staff, they are able to connect more with colleagues across departments for the common goal of supporting student well-being,” Flowers explained. “We also often have volunteers who don't have large student-facing roles, and they have been able to talk about what they do for the college.”

“By having volunteers from all over our college, we are able to ensure that we are providing another way for students to learn about the different resources available to them in the college,” she said. “We hope that these events can not only make our students' days in that moment, but that over time they can make [students] more comfortable with seeking support from someone when they need it most.”

Overall, community connection and collaboration are at the heart of Love, ComArtSci. “This work is inextricably important to the sense of belonging within ComArtSci,” Flowers said. “We believe that showing up for our students first starts with finding ways to meet them where they are, and by being accessible to them. Through Love, ComArtSci, we hope to create more relationships with our students so that they can stay connected to the offerings within our college.”

Those interested in Love, ComArtSci can follow @comartscidei and @msucomartsci on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) for event recaps and more information.