The Study of the U.S. Institute on Civic Engagement (SUSI) program brings student leaders from universities across Europe to Michigan State University for a five-week intensive program that examines how citizens have shaped U.S. history and society through community organizing and social movements. Students explore topics such as citizenship, culture, economic development, grassroots activism, political leadership, and volunteerism. The program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and hosted by the Visiting International Professional Program in collaboration with MSU Global Studies in the Arts & Humanities and Meridian International Center.

This year's program welcomed students from 18 different European countries. They have diverse backgrounds, goals, and areas of study, but all share a passion for community engagement. In addition to classes, workshops, guest lectures, cultural excursions, and site visits, the students collaborated with local non-profit organizations in the Lansing area and took part in community service projects to explore civic engagement in the real world. By examining and participating in these different models, students gained a deeper understanding of what civic engagement looks like in a local context. These insights helped guide the students' development of their own innovative action plans aimed at fostering engaged citizenship in their home communities. Like the students, the organizations are all different, and have unique and creative ways to solve problems and contribute to the community. Read more about the students' experiences with community service and the local organizations.

Greater Lansing Food Bank

Greater Lansing Food Bank (GLFB) has led mid-Michigan’s fight against hunger since 1981 to ensure families and neighbors in need have access to the nutritious food they need to support their health and well-being. GLFB’s 4,000 square mile, seven-county service area encompasses Clare, Clinton, Eaton, Gratiot, Ingham, Isabella and Shiawassee Counties. Food banks help communities address food insecurity at scale by providing food to a network of partner nonprofits at significantly lower costs — and often at no cost! — than if a food pantry were to purchase items itself. GLFB also offers several programs that directly serve neighbors across their service area. Students had the opportunity to support the Greater Lansing Food Bank by helping to pack food kits to send out to organizations helping those in need. Special thanks to Jakob Veldhuis for organizing our students!

Cristo Rey Community Center

CRCC is a non-profit basic-needs service center that provides access to food, medical care and counseling programs to all neighbors in need. Since 1968 they have been working to heal the sick, feed the hungry, protect and enrich children, engage and honor the elderly, and advocate for the most vulnerable in the community. Cristo Rey Community Center has helped many people get back on their feet during difficult times. The SUSI students helped in numerous service areas, including providing toiletries, working in the food pantry, sorting clothes, and others. Special thanks to Adam Wood for managing the community service!

Allen Neighborhood Center Community Garden

The Hunter Park Garden House, a project of Allen Neighborhood Center, is a hub for year-round farm and garden education, where neighbors volunteer to grow food, flowers, and community, and youth develop job and life skills in service to the neighborhood. Since 2008, the Hunter Park Garden House has empowered neighbors to grow, prepare, and eat healthy food to better their health and become better connected with the community. Students helped support the Garden House by maintaining the garden with other local volunteers. Special thanks to Ethan Schmidt and Farmer Tom for supporting the SUSI students!

Foster Community Center

Situated in the Eastside Neighborhood in Lansing, the Foster Community Center offers numerous programs and camps for the community. They provide a needed and welcome service to the community that they are in, focused on bettering the lives of the residents of Lansing. Students had the opportunity to present to the summer camp participants about their home countries, offering meaningful cultural exchange. Special thanks to Emily Stephens for helping us organize this wonderful opportunity!

In addition to the locations where the students performed their community service, the SUSI students visited other non-profits to expand their knowledge of civic engagement and community service models. In particular, they had the opportunity to engage directly with some of the non-profit organizations working diligently to support Lansing's Eastside community.

Women’s Center of Greater Lansing

The students first had the opportunity to visit the Women’s Center of Greater Lansing, and speak about the numerous services that they offer. Seeing how critical organizations like this are in the community was an important part of understanding the role of non-profit organizations in the U.S. The Women’s Center of Greater Lansing is a private non-profit organization that provides support services to women in the Lansing area. Since opening their doors in 2005, they have served more than 10,000 women. They are committed to providing valuable, innovative resources and services in an atmosphere that fosters mutual support, insight, and growth for women of all backgrounds and ages as they strive to realize their own unique potential. Special thanks to Rebecca Kasen for setting up this opportunity and to Angie Wooster for meeting with our students!

Hoplite Heroes

The Hoplite Heroes program run through Hoplite Games sets up camps and various other programs for kids to engage with each other through board and tabletop games. These programs promote creative thinking and problem-solving, reading, math, and encourage positive socialization. There are also numerous sponsors that will cover the registration cost for those who are unable to cover it themselves. The SUSI students enjoyed a look at a unique non-profit model utilizing the resources available to make a significant difference in the quality of the lives of kids all over Lansing. Special thanks to Rick Ankney for talking with our students!

Punks with Lunch

Punks with Lunch Lansing is a not-for-profit outreach organization providing food, personal care, seasonal attire, and harm reduction in Lansing, MI. They conduct organized outreach activities every other Saturday at Reutter Park and the Lansing area via mobile outreaches, and also maintain a M-F harm reduction hub providing Narcan, safer use supplies, and recovery resources at The Fledge. The students had an opportunity to meet with the Co-Founder Julia Miller to discuss Punks with Lunch’s model, areas of engagement, history, and were given a brief tutorial on Narcan usage in overdose situations. Thank you to Julia for taking the time to meet with our students!

The impact of these experiences was reflected in the students' final community action plan presentations which covered diverse topics ranging from economic literacy, to expanding green spaces, to accessibility for people with disabilities, and many more. Their thoughtful community plans demonstrate that the students are already living up to their status as Spartans and the #SpartansWill motto! We are so grateful to the many Lansing organizations who gave the SUSI students these unique learning opportunities. To learn more about the SUSI program visit vipp.msu.edu/susi.