MSU Outreach and Engagement Awards Ceremony

Since 2017, Michigan State University has hosted an annual Outreach and Engagement Awards Ceremony. Organized by the Office of University Outreach and Engagement, the ceremony honors and shines a light on exemplary high-quality community-engaged scholarship and university outreach activities through a number of recognitions programs. The awards are a statement that Michigan State University deeply values, encourages, and celebrates the accomplishments of its faculty, staff, students, and partners in community engagement.

2026 MSU Outreach and Engagement Awards Ceremony

March 12, 2026 | 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center, Big Ten C

2026 Award Recipients

Spartan Volunteer Service Awards

Representative Recipients: Trinity Amalraj, College of Natural Science; Lauren Bradford, College of Veterinary Medicine; Sumaiya Imad, College of Social Science

2026 Graduate Student Award for Community Engagement Scholarship

Recipients: Angelique Brianna Willis, College of Social Science; Chenlu Jin, College of Education; Jennifer Roedel, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources; Rafael Lembi, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

2026 Graduate Student Award for Science Communication and Outreach

Recipient: Rachel Drobnak, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and College of Natural Science

2026 Distinguished Partnership Award for Community-Engaged Service

Recipient: Advancing Community-Engaged Economic Innovation: Regional Economic Innovation
Jenan Jondy, University Outreach and Engagement, with Statewide Consultative Panel

2026 Distinguished Partnership Award for Community-Engaged Teaching

Recipient: Imagine a World Without Abuse: Advertising for Social Change
Ross M. Chowles, College of Communication Arts and Sciences , with Traverse Bay Children’s Advocacy Center

2026 Distinguished Partnership Award for Community-Engaged Research

Recipient: Building Capacity for Community-Led Survivor Services and Wraparound Care in Detroit Through Research-Practice Partnerships
Elena Ruíz, College of Arts and Letters, with Sara’s House/Place Detroit; Women Healing Eternally and Transforming (WHEAT)

2026 Distinguished Partnership Award for International Community-Engaged Scholarship

Recipient: Unveiling Ancient Yakthung Rhetorical Traditions: Matrilineal Civilizations and Mundhum Practices of the Himalayas
Marohang Limbu, College of Arts and Letters, with Himalayan Yakthung Cultural Studies
Ya-Phedangmas; Yakthung Cultural Leaders

2026 Institutional Champion Award for Community Engagement Scholarship

Recipient: Andrea Lynn Wendling, College of Human Medicine

2026 Community Engagement Scholarship Lifetime Achievement Award

Recipient: Rodney T. Whitaker, College of Music

MSU Outreach and Engagement Awards Ceremony

MSU Outreach and Engagement Awards Ceremony

2026 MSU Outreach and Engagement Awards Ceremony

2026 Award Recipients

Past Awards Ceremonies and Recipients

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