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 suits their skills and career interests best. 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 2025-2026 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.

The MSU Ignite Program is a proud partner of the Spartan Early Start Program. Students accepted into the program can earn three credits for participating in MSU Ignite. Fees for this course are waived for the 2025 cohort, and space will be 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.

To receive updates about MSU Ignite's Summer 2025 Cohort, email casdei@msu.edu.

Benefits of Summer Bridge Programs

Bridge programs like MSU Ignite are critical to student success, particularly for first-generation college students from underrepresented 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 various mentors and connections created with their peers. As of 2024, we have had over 60 incoming freshmen complete this program, and they have continued to share the program's impact on their college experience.

MSU Ignite Summer 2021

Ignite the Spark for ComArtSci!

Meet our Team

Program Director

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. She oversees, develops, and implements programs and initiatives to advance DEI within and outside the College. Lauren has worked in higher education for over 16 years and is currently completing her Ph.D. in higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education (HALE).

Program Coordinator

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, she 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 for Summer 2025. Ignite Program Assistants (PA) play a vital role in the success of the Ignite program. Peer Leaders will assist with implementing the various activities during the five-day program by actively participating, facilitating, and interacting with the participants in program sessions.

Peer Leader applications will open in April 2025. Check back for more details!