From MSU Today on Impact Radio: Scott Westerman is the executive director of the MSU Alumni Association.

“The alumni association is the original social network,” says Westerman. “We talk a lot about the importance of Facebook and Twitter, but in reality it’s still about those face-to-face connections.

“In the old days, social media was a tailgate party when people would come back to campus for Homecoming or a football game and they would talk face-to-face and the instant connection was a long-distance telephone call. Now our networks are incredibly diverse, but it still comes back to MSU and the relationships you develop here.”

Westerman says one of the things that makes MSU unique and the alumni association special is the network of nearly a half million Spartans around the world.

“If you call a Spartan and say you’re a Spartan, they’ll take your phone call.”

Westerman is passionate about MSU and its impact on the world.

“The real magic about MSU is our world grant mission to make the world a better place,” says Westerman. “MSU touches people in so many ways, and it’s such a positive for our state that MSU is around and involved.

“I think the next big idea will be envisioned in Spartan hearts, designed in Spartan minds, built by Spartan hands, and the next great chapter in the American dream will be written at Michigan State University!”

Hosted by MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon and MSU Athletic Director Mark Hollis.

Hear the Conversation 23:07 – 13.2 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: John Hill is director of alumni career services for the MSU Alumni Association.

“We provide career services to 420,000 MSU alumni,” Hill says. “We’re there when Spartans are looking for help on resumes, cover letter critiques, effective interviewing tips, or help connecting with networks or companies.

“We do one-to-one career counseling and help you develop your career search strategy – essentially anything you’d go to a career coach for, and we do it for free for all of our alumni.”

Hill and his team have identified four key affiliations that help people land jobs.

“Number one is friends and family followed by university affiliations, shared work experiences and board and community work associations.”

Hill’s key job search tips start with following one’s passion.

“That will take care of a lot of ills if you can get into a position that you love,” Hill says. “And you have to network. That means connecting with people who have shared interests who are more likely to help you out.”

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 10:22 – 5.9 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: MSU alumna Nafissa Yakubova talks about her experience with TED and TEDx.

“TED stands for technology, entertainment and design,” says Yakubova. “TED brings together a variety of poeple to share their inspring stories and offers a platform for ideas worth sharing.”

Hosted by Scott Westerman and Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 14:29 – 8.3 mb mp3

From Greening of the Great Lakes on News/Talk 760 WJR: Dayne Walling is the Mayor of Flint Michigan. He was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship while a student at MSU. He talks with Kirk Heinze about his time at MSU and about his Greening of Flint initiative.

“Growing up in Flint I’ve seen the city boom and bust, and we need to break that cycle and get on a track that’s more sustainable that can last not just for 10 or 20 years but for generations,” Walling says.

“Urban sustainability is not just about a hike in the woods,” Walling says. “It really is about how you make life better for people. You have to come up with ways to create green space and access to nature but also develop projects in a way that are appropriate for the ecology and the local ecosystem.

“But at the end of the day, people still have to have an opportunity to earn a living. You have to balance all those things as we create an agenda that’s long term.”

Urban farming is part of Walling’s agenda for the greening of Flint, too.

“The local food supply connects residents’ interests with community gardening and brings an entrepreneurial spirit to people,” Walling says. “It’s another way to respect the earth and the environment while simultaneously providing Flint residents with economic opportunities.”

Hosted by Kirk Heinze.

Hear part one of the Conversation 7:20 – 4.2 mb mp3

Hear part two of the Conversation 11:05 – 6.4 mb mp3

From MSU News on Impact Radio: Heather Swain is MSU’s assistant vice president for University Relations. She is leading MSU’s branding initiative.

“Brand is the focal point of communicating who you are and what matters to you, and it’s the way you narrow down that communication so that you can really get a fine point on it so people can understand who you are,” says Swain.

“It’s not what you think you are; it’s what everyone thinks you are.”

Swain says MSU has had a brand for a long time; now the university is trying to communicate it clearly in a way that people can grasp quickly and easily.

Spartan Sagas is a key part of the initiative.

“Spartan Sagas is taking our people and featuring them and really digging into the stories of how our students, faculty, staff and alumni are contributing in ways big and small making a difference in the world,” Swain says.

“Spartans have so much enthusiasm and identify so strongly with the institution, and we really want to let that bloom and take off.”

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 11:13 – 6.4 mb mp3

From MSUPRSSA: MSU Head Servant and Spartan Podcast creator Scott Westerman talks about the state of social media in 2010 and what PR people should know about how to use it in their profession. He also offers his advice for PR students about to enter the industry and encourages us all to join the MSU Alumni Association!

Prodcued by Russ White

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: Scott Westerman is executvie director of the MSU Alumni Association. MSUAA is hosting a cool way to join in the fun and excitement while the Spartans are battling Butler in the Final Four Saturday.

“We’re going to be streaming the world’s largest game watch party from the venue at Jillian’s Sports Bar across the street from Lucas Oil Stadium,” Westerman says. “So log in to our MSU Stream and join in the fun.”

Westerman adds that today’s MSU Alumni Association is the perfect way to stay connected to the Spartan magic that helped us get where we are today.

“Every MSU Spartan’s life has been fundamentally changed based upon his or her relationship with MSU. “That relationship doesn’t have to end at graduation.”

Westerman is the father of Spartan Podcast; thanks, Scott!

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 10:23 – 5.9 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: Scott Westerman is executvie director of the MSU Alumni Association. He talks about the evolving mission of today’s MSU Alumni Association.

“Today’s MSU Alumni Association is the perfect way to stay connected to the Spartan magic that helped get you where you are today,” Westerman says. “Every MSU Spartan’s life has been fundamentally changed based upon his or her relationship with MSU.

“That relationship doesn’t have to end at graduation.”

Westerman is the father of Spartan Podcast; thanks, Scott!

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 18:52 – 10.8 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: John Hill is director of alumni career services for the MSU Alumni Association.

“We provide career services to all 420,000 MSU alumni,” says Hill. “We’re free to utilize for resume reviews, one-to-one career counseling, for networking opportunities.”

Hill talks about how social media and technology have impacted the world of job search.

“We currently own the sixth largest university/college LinkedIn group in the country with over 13,000 members -all MSU alumni and people associated with the university,” says Hill. “Ninety thousand MSU alumni and students are on LinkedIn, 80,000 on Facebook – we are also utilizing Twitter from a career development perspective.

“We’re launching an unemployed membership (free membership for those unemployed) which we know will be used primarily by job seekers; it’s our way to help out.”

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 12:59 – 7.4 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: Scott Westerman is president of the National Board of the MSU Alumni Association. He talks about the evolving mission of today’s MSU Alumni Association.

“Today’s MSU Alumni Association is the perfect way to stay connected to the Spartan magic that helped get you where you are today,” Westerman says. “Every MSU Spartan’s life has been fundamentally changed based upon his or her relationship with MSU.

“That relationship doesn’t have to end at graduation.”

Westerman talks about trends in technology and cable televison from his perch at Comcast.

Westerman is the father of Spartan Podcast; thanks, Scott!

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 15:30 – 8.9 mb mp3

In the constellation of MSU alumni clubs across America the Chicago Spartans stand out. Formally known as the MSU Alumni Club of Metro Chicago, this group of green bloods has banded together to create events that not only raise scholarship money, but attract hundreds of participants from throughout the Midwest. Ed Swiderski and Vanessa Moses join us from the Windy City to talk about The Sparty Ball and the Go Green – Be Green Benefit, their careers since graduation, and how to generate enthusiasm among young alumni.

Hosted by Scott Westerman.

Hear the Conversation 10:36 – 4.9 mb mp3