Meet The Team

As a former long-time resident of East Lansing and a long-term MSU staffer, Su is an ideal fit for the Director of Student and Community Relations, possessing a deep firsthand knowledge of the “town & gown” intersections in our community. Suchitra works hand-in-hand with Student Life & Engagement, the Office of Governmental Affairs, and the City of East Lansing. Suchitra also earned her Bachelor’s Degree and Masters Degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs from Michigan State University.

​

The Office of Student & Community Relations includes the MSU College Advising Corps. Suchitra also co-directs MSU Vote and sits on the International Town & Gown Association Board.

As a Spartan alumna with a track record of communications, student and community engagement, and social policy work - Erin brings a great deal of perspective to her role as a Community Liaison Coordinator. Erin works with departments, student organizations, campus, and government partners to support “town-gown” efforts and to support students in navigating off campus living. Erin holds a Master’s of Social Work, M.S. of Global Health and Bachelor’s of Social Work from Michigan State University. You can email Erin for any off-campus needs or questions at csr@msu.edu.

Jordan is a proud Spartan alumnus, Metro Detroit native, and Marine Corps veteran with a strong background in community organization, leadership, and policy analysis. As the Democratic Engagement Coordinator at Michigan State University, he works to connect university, community, and government stakeholders to empower students and increase their participation in elections at all levels—from local to national. Dedicated to fostering a culture of civic engagement, Jordan leverages data-driven strategies to expand student involvement in the democratic process.

​

He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Science, with a concentration in Community Governance and Advocacy, from Michigan State University, and his Master of Public Policy, with a concentration in International Affairs, from the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan.

As a first-generation college student, Manuel Rivera understands the importance of a college education. As an alum of Michigan State University, Manuel has an extensive 25 years in education (elementary, secondary, and postsecondary), having been a college recruiter, academic adviser, career counselor, faculty, and college administrator to name a few. He is an accomplished grant writer ($23 million awarded) and has served on several non-profit Boards; most notably ICHANGE as the Board President. Before coming back to MSU, he was the Detroit AmeriCorps Youth Success Program Director, a program designed to address and reduce the high chronic absenteeism rate for at-risk youth in grades 1st-8th in Detroit schools. His work with the Urban Neighborhood Initiatives organization led him to success with federal AmeriCorps programs (successfully writing and being awarded a competitive federal grant; an unheard of accomplishment for a program only 3 years old). His experience working with YMCA’s has assisted in his understanding and mastery of building program supports and services from the start of a child’s education and extending into their college education.

​

As the Director of MSU College Advising Corps, Manuel leads a team of 33 full-time staff to support college access work for high schools students across the State of Michigan reaching over 20,000 students each year.

​

Manuel holds a Bachelor of Professional Communications from Siena Heights University and a Master’s in Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education from Michigan State University. In his free time, Manuel enjoys traveling internationally, spending time with family and friends, and just being as awesome as he can be 😊