News
Chief Justice Megan Cavanagh Brings Michigan’s Highest Court to the MSU Classroom
December 3, 2025 - Kelly Smith
On November 11, Chief Justice Megan Cavanagh stepped out of Michigan’s Supreme Court and into a Michigan State University classroom, offering Spartans a rare glimpse into the inner workings of the state’s highest court.
More Than a Game: Understanding the Social Science of Sports
November 26, 2025 - Kelly Smith
What do sports reveal about society? More than most people realize. In ISS 328: The Social Science of Sports, MSU students are examining athletics as a cultural institution, exploring how issues of power, identity, and politics reveal the deeper forces that shape the world beyond the scoreboard.
Dr. Bryan Ellis Honored as Part of Grizzly Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2025
November 25, 2025 - Kelly Smith
The University of Montana athletic department proudly announced the Grizzly Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2025, which included Dr. Bryan Ellis from MSU's Center for Integrative Studies in Social Science.
Faculty Awarded Grant to Advance Community-Engaged Research and Women’s Empowerment in Tanzania
November 21, 2025 - College of Arts and Letters
A Strategic Partnership Grant from MSU’s Center for Gender in Global Context (GenCen) will help strengthen the cross-institutional collaboration between Michigan State University and the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), Tanzania, focusing on gender, environment, and community sustainability.
Dr. David Baylis Participates in Unforgettable U.P. Spartan Bus Tour
November 10, 2025 - Kelly Smith
A group of Michigan State University faculty, staff, and senior leaders embarked on the third annual Spartan Bus Tour, visiting more than a dozen sites across the Upper Peninsula to see how MSU is making an impact in the region. Dr. David Baylis, assistant professor, was among the 60 delegates on the bus.
MSU Students Find Meaning in Monsters and Myth
October 27, 2025 - Kelly Smith / All photos by Diane Huhn
At MSU, monsters aren’t limited to the imagination—they’re a gateway to interdisciplinary learning. In ISS 205: Big Ideas in the Social Sciences: Monsters and Society, students are exploring how monsters reflect social anxieties and challenge the boundaries of belief and identity.
Dr. Eddie Boucher Broadens Study Abroad Opportunities with MSU Institutional Access Small Grant
October 15, 2025 - Kelly Smith
For Dr. Eddie Boucher, associate director of MSU’s Center for Integrative Studies, studying abroad isn’t just an academic experience. It’s a transformative opportunity that should be accessible to every student, regardless of circumstance or background.
Colin Reese Nominated for Prestigious Marshall Scholarship
September 30, 2025 - Kelly Smith
MSU senior Colin Reese is among nine students and three alumni nominated by MSU for the Marshall Scholarship, which provides support to approximately 50 of the most outstanding undergraduates in the country to study at any university in the United Kingdom.
Access Champion: Nicolas Gisholt
September 16, 2025 - Emily Jodway
Nicolas Gisholt is passionate about advocacy for the Latino community, equitable distribution of resources for students; retention and graduation rates for students of underserved groups; and mental health in university students.
MSU’s Newest Class Era: Taylor Swift and Social Science
September 12, 2025 - Kelly Smith
This fall, students are learning through a brand-new interdisciplinary social science course focused entirely on the phenomenon of Taylor Swift. In ISS 210 Society and the Individual: The Taylor Swift Phenomenon, they are exploring the economic, political, environmental, historical, and gender-based contexts surrounding Swift’s career and cultural impact.
Research Spotlight: IDS Major Tyler Smith
September 11, 2025 - Kelly Smith
Interdisciplinary Studies major Tyler (Ty) Smith was awarded a Provost’s Undergraduate Research Initiative (PURI) Award to help fund his research about street food in India. Here Ty talks about his five weeks studying and researching abroad, the documentary he collaborated on, and offers advice to new MSU students.
Access Torch: Arden Henderson
June 9, 2025 - Emily Jodway
Henderson is a senior Interdisciplinary Studies student, concentrating in health and society, and minoring in LGBTQ+ Studies.
David Baylis awarded the 2024-25 Integrative Studies in Social Science Teaching Excellence Award
May 12, 2025 - Jalen Smith
The Center for Integrative Studies in Social Science would like to congratulate assistant professor David Baylis on his reception of the 2024-25 Integrative Studies in Social Science (ISS) Teaching Excellence Award. This award recognizes outstanding college ISS instructors with Student Perception of Learning Survey (SPLS) scores in the top 15 percent with an emphasis on their dedication to teaching excellence and student success and a demonstrated commitment to MSU undergraduate learning goals.
MSU Integrative Studies celebrates 2025 outstanding senior Jessica Lemond
April 28, 2025 - Emily Jodway
The Center for Integrative Studies at Michigan State University is proud to announce that Jessica Lemond has been named the 2025 College of Social Science Outstanding Senior in Integrative Studies. Lemond is a Davisburg native and will graduate this May with her degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Science and a minor in Law, Justice and Public Policy.
Access Champion: Dr. Fayyaz Hussain
April 11, 2025 - Emily Jodway
College of Social Science Access Champion this month for Arab American Heritage Month is Dr. Fayyaz Hussain, a professor of Integrative Studies in Social Science who has been teaching at Michigan State for over 30 years.
Recent Interdisciplinary Studies graduate Jimmy Li earns a perfect 4.0 G.P.A.
January 9, 2025
Jimmy (Zeyu) Li recently graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Science and a minor in Asian studies while earning a perfect 4.0 GPA, landing him on the Board of Trustees 4.0 list in addition to being on the dean’s list.
IDS major Szymon Zapala has been everything MSU basketball hoped for
December 19, 2024 - Graham Couch
Interdisciplinary Studies major Szymon Zapala’s father and older brother came to watch him play with the Spartans in Spain in August. But this is their first trip to Michigan and first time seeing his life at MSU. And he hadn’t seen his mother in more than a year.
Students shine and showcase their research at the Integrative Studies Research Forum
December 11, 2024 - Jalen Smith
As the semester comes to a close, over 80 students in the Center for Integrative Studies in Social Science at Michigan State University showcased their research at the fourth Center for Integrative Studies Undergraduate Research Forum.
Professor Fayyaz Hussain celebrates 30 years of teaching at Michigan State University
October 18, 2024 - Patti McDonald
“My students are a big part of where I am at today,” he said. “I have such an important job of shaping young people and teaching them important lessons in life.”
Access Spotlight: Diamond Day-Parker
August 20, 2024 - Emily Jodway
Diamond Day-Parker is a 2019 graduate of the College of Social Science and the Interdisciplinary Studies program with a concentration in Health and Society. Born and raised in Flint, Michigan, she credits her hometown as one of the driving factors behind her eventual career path.
Associate Director of the Center for Integrative Studies Dr. Eddie Boucher receives Lilly Fellowship
June 20, 2024 - Patti McDonald
The Center for Integrative Studies in Social Science would like to congratulate Associate Director Dr. Eddie Boucher on receiving the Lilly Fellowship!
Diversity Champion: Dr. Amber Bryant
June 19, 2024 - Emily Jodway
The Center for Integrative Studies in Social Science at Michigan State University would like to congratulate Dr. Amber Bryant on being named a diversity champion by the College of Social Science. Congrats Dr. Bryant!
Center for Integrative Studies Research Forum Honorable Mention Faculty Selected Posters Spring 2024
May 17, 2024 - Patti McDonald
Over 70 students from the College of Social Science at Michigan State University presented their research at the spring 2024 Center for Integrative Studies research forum poster session. A handful of students were selected by faculty as honorable mention awardees.
Senior Kate Crannell chosen as College of Social Science banner carrier for 2024 graduation ceremony
April 26, 2024 - Patti McDonald
We would like to congratulate Kate Crannell on being chosen as the College of Social Science's banner carrier for 2024 commencement!
Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Dr. Anna Gurinskaya receives ISS Teaching Excellence award from the College of Social Science at MSU
April 25, 2024 - Patti McDonald
The Center for Integrative Studies in Social Science would like to congratulate Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Dr. Anna Gurinskaya on receiving the Integrative Studies in Social Science Teaching Award by the College of Social Science!
Interdisciplinary Studies and Global International Studies students present at the 2024 University Undergraduate Research Awards Forum
April 24, 2024 - Patti McDonald
Interdisciplinary studies and global international studies students presented their research along with hundreds of other students from 12 colleges at Michigan State University’s University Undergraduate Awards Forum (UURAF) on April 12th at the Breslin Center.
Livvie Johnson named the Center for Integrative Studies 2024 Outstanding Senior
April 24, 2024 - Patti McDonald
Livvie Johnson, an interdisciplinary studies major, was named the 2024 Outstanding Senior in the Center for Integrative Studies by the College of Social Science at Michigan State University.
Diversity Torch: Amina Darabie
April 9, 2024 - Emily Jodway
We would like to congratulate Amina Darabie on being named the College of Social Science's Diversity Torch for the Month of April!
I3 Club info
March 6, 2024
Join our new I3 Club! This club is open to all IDS/GLIS students in the College of Social Science.
Photo Gallery: Garima Choudhary
February 21, 2024 - Patti McDonald
Garima Choudhary is an experienced ceramicist and Research Associate at IICD in Jaipur. With over ten years of experience, she has worked with renowned companies such as TATA Ceramics and Dileep Industries.
Student spotlight: Interdisciplinary Major Amina Darabie
February 19, 2024 - Patti McDonald
Darabie said she was inspired to declare Interdisciplinary Studies as her major after she attended her first college class, which happened to be with her eventual mentor, Associate Professor, and Associate Director of the Center for Integrative Studies at MSU, Dr. Eddie Boucher.
Professor at Michigan State University Dr. Fayyaz Hussain receives Tomeh Award
February 19, 2024 - Patti McDonald
Professor at Michigan State University Dr. Fayyaz Hussain recently received the Tomeh Award from the North Central Sociological Association. The Tomeh Award is given annually to recognize an NCSA member who has demonstrated outstanding service to the association, either through a single exceptional activity or throughout his/her professional career.
MSU named a top producer of Fulbright Scholars for 10th consecutive year; Social Scientist Fayyaz Hussain among group
February 14, 2024 - MSU Today
MSU has the distinction of being the only doctoral institution in the nation to achieve top-producer status for the past 10 consecutive years.
Assistant Professor Dr. Eddie Boucher named Associate Director of the Center for Integrative Studies
February 1, 2024 - Patti McDonald
The Center for Integrative Studies (CIS) at Michigan State University would like to congratulate Dr. Eddie Boucher on being named the associate director of the CIS.
Center for Integrative Studies Undergraduate Research Forum FS23 Honorable Mention Projects
December 22, 2023 - Patti McDonald
We would like to congratulate the students who participated in our Undergraduate Research Forum!
Brandy Ellison has a new vision for MSU’s Center for Integrative Studies
December 7, 2023 - Patti McDonald
Dr. Brandy Ellison is settling into her role as the Director of the Center for Integrative Studies (CIS) at Michigan State University, a role she started in fall 2023. Ellison has been a faculty member in CIS since 2018. Prior to that, from 2015-2018, she served as the director of student success in the College of Social Science.
Academic Specialist Lauren Munoz named Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Coordinator for the Center for Integrative Studies
November 8, 2023 - Patti McDonald
Michigan State University Academic Specialist Lauren Munoz was recently named as the diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging coordinator for the Center for Integrative Studies at Michigan State University.
IDS Students Win First Place in UURAF 2023!
April 26, 2023
The Center for Integrative Studies in Social Science is thrilled to congratulate Interdisciplinary Studies (IDS) major students Amina Darabie, Ari Andres, and Bailey Griffin for winning first place in their respective UURAF 2023 categories.