Faculty Voice: Reflections on the Spartan Bus Tour

November 27, 2024 - Clausell Mathis

Clausell Mathis is an assistant professor of physics in Lyman Briggs College and a researcher in the MSU Department of Teacher Education. His research includes developing culturally responsive teaching in rural settings to engage K-12 learners in science, bolstering further curiosity, exploration, and education in STEM. These are his reflections.

As a relatively new faculty member from the Southeast, joining the inaugural Spartan Bus Tour was an incredibly meaningful experience for me. The opportunity to visit multiple sites in Michigan tied to the University’s research, education, and community outreach missions allowed me to witness firsthand MSU’s impact on the diverse landscapes and communities that shape Michigan. It provided insight into how the university’s values align with the needs and stories of the people it serves. Moving from the South to Michigan has been a significant cultural shift for me, and this tour gave me a deeper sense of connection to the state and the MSU community, helping me feel more at home in my new role.

One of the most memorable aspects of the tour was visiting communities outside of the immediate campus area and learning about local projects dedicated to community development and education. Seeing these initiatives in action, whether through education-focused programs at Muskegon High School, local environmental efforts in Rockford, or collaborative business ventures in Zeeland, showed me the importance of community engagement and how it can enrich students' lives and the communities themselves. These experiences resonated with me, reinforcing the importance of grounding education in real-world applications and cultural relevance.

During a recent LBC community meeting, I shared some of these reflections with colleagues, discussing the value of these community-university partnerships and how they can inspire new approaches to teaching and research. This experience has encouraged me to consider ways to incorporate local context into my curriculum, supporting students in connecting their learning to the world around them. As someone passionate about culturally responsive teaching, I see this as an essential part of my role at MSU and a way to make physics and science education more accessible and impactful.

This tour and the connections it fostered have strengthened my commitment to MSU’s community engagement and educational mission. The experience underscored that education is not just about what happens within the walls of a classroom but also about building partnerships that can drive positive change. I am grateful for the chance to explore Michigan’s communities and to gain insights that will shape my work here at MSU. I hope to continue growing within this community and contributing to the inclusive and collaborative spirit that the Spartan Bus Tour exemplified.

Photos from a few of the stops:

From the Spartan Bus Tour website: "The tour stops were selected to represent a diverse cross-section of Michigan, including urban, suburban and rural areas, and to ensure participants connect with a broad range of communities and stakeholders."

We visited Camp Wa Wa Sum, a conference center and research facility of the MSU Departments of Fisheries and Wildlife and Forestry. Located on the Au Sable River, six miles east of Grayling, the river is renowned as one of the premier brown trout fisheries east of the Rockies.

 

 

 

 

 

A stop along Lake Michigan included Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club, a nationally renowned golf destination situated on the shores. The club features two championship golf courses, offering stunning views and a premier golfing experience.

 

 

 

 

 

Here I am at the Martinez Farm, a successful apple farm in Conklin owned by Paulino Martinez. The farm produces a variety of apples for both fresh consumption and processing. Paulino Martinez and his team have been active participants in MSU's Great Lakes Latino/a Farmers Program, which offers training to Michigan farmers in agricultural and management practices.

 

 

 

With President Guskiewicz at the end of the tour