Direct from the Dean

April 11, 2024

Dear COL Faculty and Staff,

I'm writing to highlight two terrific events hosted over the past week by Admissions and Career Services that illustrate the hard work, creativity, and passion of our COL team in furtherance of mission-critical functions.

First, Admissions hosted the last of our Admitted Student Visit Days last week. These events are critical to bringing in a strong Class of 2027 in a very challenging admissions season.

I spoke with many of the students and their families (yes, they come too!) during the day and they repeatedly remarked how impressed they were with the design and content of our program compared to the other schools they've visited.

Admissions organized a full day of programs and activities to give the admitted students a taste of being a student at the College of Law.

This included an academic program panel with Jake Bronsther, Veronica McNally, Glen Staszewski, and Christina Wease; a mock class taught by Catherine Grosso; a current student experience panel and engagement and tours with Drew Bochte, Jasmine Felder, Riley McDonough, Manisha Misra, Kirsten Pilste, Kayla Seger, and Julia Smith; a Career Services and almuni panel and engagement with Kristina Bilowus, Angela Caulley, Carrie Freeman, Christopher Jackson, Katie Pike, Melanie Smith; and panels and engagement around student services and student life with Jesse Alvarez, Amanda Maas, Dr. Timothy Spedoske, and Kara Tripi. Whew!!

Second, Career Services hosted a wonderful event for our 3Ls Wednesday night at Cowles House as part of our increased student engagement efforts.

The weather couldn't have been better (particularly given the time of year!) and Chief Justice Elizabeth Clement offered thoughtful remarks to the 3Ls on what they've accomplished and how to navigate their legal careers over a lifetime.

She is a true supporter of the Law College.

This was another large team effort with Margie Aimery securing the perfect venue and coordinating with the Cowles House; Kristina Bilowus recruiting our speaker, Justice Clement; Marina Amaran and Anne Marie Gattari handling media to commemorate the event; Zac Hunter coordinating our internal marketing, registration lists, giveaway items, set-up, parking, and more; Katie Pike recruiting College of Law alumni to attend and meet our soon-to-be graduates; and Audra Foster, Lavon Ammori, Deborah Almasy, Carl Fanning, Alphonso Nickson, and Michelle Mitchell providing day-of logistics, set-up and greeting. Several other COL faculty and staff also joined the program to toast the students.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to these successful events. They are critical to our drive to raise both the academic profile of our entering class and the employment outcomes of our students. They will also surely have the collateral benefit of strengthening the bond of our graduates with MSU COL. I am continually impressed with how much the COL team is able to accomplish working together.

Bravo!

Michael