MSU Ignite Summer Bridge Program

MSU Ignite is a 5-day residential bridge program intended to support students’ transition from high school to college and allow them to learn more about our academic programs. Choosing a major can be overwhelming, and students often struggle to determine which program is best suited to their skills and career interests. The MSU Ignite program will allow students to explore their interests and become more familiar with college before setting foot on campus this fall. The program is open to current high school seniors admitted to MSU as incoming Freshmen for the 2023-2024 academic year. Students may have declared a ComArtSci major in their application to MSU or have an interest in exploring majors and/or minors in ComArtSci.

Updated May 8, 2023: The MSU Ignite Program will now operate as apart of the Spartan Early Start Program. Students accepted into the program will have the opportunity to earn 3 credits for their participation in MSU Ignite. Fees for this course are waived for the 2023 cohort, and space is extremely limited.

CAS 290 Course Description: Learn what it’s like to be a major in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences! This course is designed to support students in transitioning from high school to college, develop a better understanding of their major, and build relationships with their peers, staff, and instructors before the start of the fall semester. Course participation includes two online meetings and MSU Ignite, a 5-day residential bridge program from July 9th through July 14th. Students must be admitted to the MSU Ignite program to enroll. 

 

Program Overview

Bridge programs like MSU Ignite are critical to student success, particularly for first-generation college students from historically marginalized communities. Over the course of a week, students will work on a creative project with the direction of ComArtSci faculty. The program offers students added support, through a variety of mentors and connections created with their peers. As of 2023, we have had 28 incoming freshmen complete this program and they have continued to share the impact of the program on their college experience. We have doubled our number of opportunities for Summer 2023 cohort and look forward to welcoming more students this summer!

MSU Ignite Summer 2021

 

Ignite the Spark for ComArtSci!

Meet our Team

Program Director

Lauren McKenzie

Lauren McKenzie

Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Email: gainesla@msu.edu
 

Lauren Gaines McKenzie is the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) for the College of Communication Arts and Sciences where she oversees, develops, and implements programs and initiatives that seek to advance DEI both in and outside of the College. Lauren has worked in higher education for over 14 years and is currently completing her Ph.D. in Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education (HALE).

 

Program Coordinator

Jada Flowers

Jada Flowers

Project/Event Coordinator
Email: flower96@msu.edu

 

Jada Flowers serves as the MSU Ignite Program Coordinator. Drawing from her experiences as a first-generation college student from Detroit has been an integral part of the program's creation, development, and implementation. Jada earned her Bachelor’s in Advertising (’20) and Master’s in Advertising and Public Relations (’21) from the College of Communication Arts and Sciences. 


 

 

 

Join our Team

We are seeking highly motivated, enthusiastic undergraduate students to join our team as s for Summer 2023. Ignite Program Assistants (PA) play a vital role in the success of the Ignite program. Program Assistants will assist with the implementation of the various activities during the 5-day program by actively participating, facilitating, and interacting with the participants in program sessions. Program Assistant applications have closed for 2023.

 

 

 

 

Summer 2023 Cohort | July 9-14th, 2023

Applications for the Summer 2023 Cohort Opening March

How to Support MSU Ignite

WIth your support we can double the number of students that can particpate in the Ignite program.