MSU President Launches Statewide Southern Michigan Tour

President Kevin Guskiewicz is leading a three-day bus tour to build partnerships across southern Michigan.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in People

A transit bus driving along a rural highway surrounded by open farmland in southern Michigan. — Michigan State University President Kevin Guskiewicz is conducting a three-day bus tour across southern Michigan to strengthen partnerships with local farms, businesses, and hospitals. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Michigan State University President Kevin Guskiewicz has departed on an annual three-day bus tour spanning from Lake Michigan to Lake Erie. The tour aims to showcase the institution as a statewide university by visiting businesses, farms, and hospitals across southern Michigan.

Why it matters

The tour is designed to develop partnerships that extend beyond the immediate Mid-Michigan area. By engaging directly with communities, the university seeks to reinforce its regional presence and impact.

The tour spans three days and includes stops in cities such as Jackson, Battle Creek, Paw Paw, Saint Joseph, and Bridgman. It concludes on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at 7 pm.

The players

Kevin Guskiewicz

He serves as the President of Michigan State University and launched these annual bus tours in 2025.

Michigan State University

This public research university, located in East Lansing, is conducting the tour to build partnerships across the state.

The details

The excursion departs from the Kellogg Center on the Michigan State University campus and visits a variety of local sites, including farms and medical facilities. The trip is scheduled to wrap up at the Cowles House back on the university campus.

The annual bus tour tradition began in 2025.
The tour departed from the Kellogg Center on October 26, 2026.
The trip concludes at the Cowles House on October 28, 2026.

Market Landscape

This tour aligns with Michigan State University's statewide engagement initiative by actively extending the university's presence beyond its central campus. It reflects a trend of large public institutions prioritizing direct outreach to maintain regional relevance.

Residents and business owners in cities including Battle Creek, Saint Joseph, and Jackson may interact with university leadership during these site visits. The tour aims to foster collaboration, potentially influencing future local programming and partnerships.

The takeaway

This tour highlights the value of direct outreach in building institutional relationships across diverse geographic regions. Residents should look for opportunities to engage with university officials when the tour passes through their local community.