EAST LANSING – The Michigan State University Board of Trustees is set to vote on a potential $5 million renovation to the Hannah Administration Building to bring additional support and resources for first-generation students.
First-generation students are those whose parents have not received a bachelor’s degree, accounting for more than 20% of MSU students, according to university documents.
The $5.2 million project, meant to create a “Spartan Success Center” housed in the university’s administration building, will help bring renovations to a 12,500-square-foot space to provide a “welcoming, student-centered environment, supporting holistic student development – academically, personally, and professionally,” according to the documents.
Different support services for students will be hosted out of the center, ranging from academics to belonging to wellbeing. The university plans to offer academic advising, strategic retention, success coaches, career services, tutoring and academic success workshops through the center.
The project will be funded by short-term debt while in construction, and will be paid with funds from the capital reserve.
Board members will decide whether they’d like to move forward with the center during a board meeting on Friday, April 10.
The Spartan Success Center is intended to be an intentionally designed shared space for students from diverse demographics and socioeconomic backgrounds, because “cross-engagement is a key driver of student success, fostering a stronger sense of belonging, improving retention, and contributing to both academic achievement and postgraduate outcomes,” according to university documents.
The Board of Trustees approved moving forward with the planning phase during a June 2025 meeting.
For more information on services and initiatives supporting first-generation students at Michigan State University, visit firstgen.msu.edu.
Contact Karly Graham at kgraham@lsj.com. Follow her on X at @KarlyGrahamJrn.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: MSU Board to vote on new center for first-generation students
Reporting by Karly Graham, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
