Few could have predicted what this past year would mean for the Julian Samora Research Institute (JSRI), Michigan State University and the state of Michigan, our nation, and our world. The dramatic changes and uncertainty across all sectors of our globe have forced higher education institutions to adapt and change to continue their mission to contribute to the public good.

In addition to the demographic growth of Latinos across Michigan and the United States, the challenges faced by communities and institutions of higher education call for both entities to find meaningful ways to establish and maintain collaborative relationships. At MSU, for example, University Outreach and Engagement is working with constituents across Michigan to redefine how it fulfills its mission to address issues of local concern, encouraging faculty and staff to contribute to as opposed to lead and “study” efforts to transform and strengthen the vitality of communities. Similarly, the Samora Institute is focused on redefining its work with community partners to enhance engaged relationships across Michigan’s Latino communities. Efforts to engage MSU Latino scholars to share their ongoing research have been highlighted in recent issues of NEXO so that communities can envision opportunities to learn with and from MSU scholars interested in Latino well-being.

Established in 1989, JSRI has conducted, disseminated, and applied research that has addressed issues of importance to Latino communities: health disparities, entrepreneurship, and service delivery system gaps, to name a few. While the mission and commitment of the Samora Institute have not changed, the future will look to embrace new methods, expanded partnerships within and outside the university, and innovative approaches to engaged scholarship. JSRI and MSU scholars will continue to define and generate data and programmatic efforts that can transform the lives, health, and vitality of Michigan’s Latino population and residents.

In partnership with University Outreach and Engagement, JSRI has begun searching for a visionary and dynamic engaged scholar to direct the institute’s future. Through active relationships and authentic programmatic and scholarly activities, this leader will facilitate efforts to ensure MSU’s commitment to being the university for Latino communities in Michigan and the Midwest.