Strategic Plan

Foster an Ethic of Service and Engagement Among All Members of the College Community to Promote Access to Justice and Public Service in Michigan and Beyond

Just as MSU is a national university, MSU Law is a national law school, accepting students from across the country, graduating students who embark on their careers beyond Michigan, and producing new knowledge that has national impact. Yet as part of Michigan’s land-grant institution, MSU Law has a particular responsibility to uplift the lives of people in our state. We will be an accessible and trusted legal resource in service to individuals; public, private, and nonprofit institutions in all communities; and the legal profession across Michigan.

1. Expand curricular and co-curricular service opportunities

   Potential actions include:

   1. Develop additional avenues for our students to participate in externships and clerkships in Michigan and strengthen our relationships with the Michigan legal communities across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.
   2. Increase resources to existing clinics and develop new clinics, ensuring all students are provided with sufficient clinical opportunities.
   3. Evaluate opportunities for new certificate and micro-credential programs and expand virtual and hybrid learning offerings to serve more people across Michigan, the nation, and the globe.
2. Leverage MSU’s location in the state capital to strengthen our engagement with state and local government

   Potential actions include:

   1. Increase the presence of our students in state and local government and support exceptional experiences for students interested in public service.
   2. Encourage our faculty to serve on and support state task forces and committees and key legislative initiatives and to be a resource for the state judiciary.
3. Identify collaborative opportunities for MSU Law to bring legal perspectives and expertise to bear in University-wide initiatives, growing our contribution to issues of importance in Michigan and beyond

   Potential actions include:

   1. Promote faculty research with the potential to influence public policy, and engage the interest of state and federal policymakers in such work.
   2. Participation in University-wide initiatives, potentially those in water, mobility, and/or integrity and ethics, introducing legal perspectives and expertise that help contribute to their success.