Welcome from the Director: Dr. Thomas Summerhill

The start of the Spring 2008 semester marks an exciting point in the history of Interdisciplinary Studies at Michigan State University. As the new Director of the Center for Integrative Studies in Social Science I would like to share my enthusiasm for the future of IDS. You are all aware of the momentous changes in IDS in the past year. Our IDS advising staff now includes Pauline Tobias, Dawn Hammond, Kristin Brooks, and Nicolas Gisholt, who bring to the office a commitment to partnering with students in shaping their majors—and who have a mixture of experiences and perspectives that bring a fresh atmosphere to IDS.

My first order of business as new director has been to create a student-friendly environment in the CIS office. Physically, the office has been reconfigured to improve student access and comfort, with staff at new stations and a larger seating area. The office staff, Pam Robinson and Chris Decker, continue to serve IDS with their usual skill and will work to make visits to the CIS office a pleasant experience. I have moved the director’s office to the front of the CIS space and hope to have the opportunity to meet you when you visit. A new conference room is under construction that will be available not only to faculty, advisors, and staff, but to students involved in organizations connected to IDS.

The changes that have been made in CIS are intended to stimulate a greater sense of community for IDS majors, to facilitate student interaction with our young, professional, caring advising staff. We all look forward to working with you to optimize your student experience at Michigan State—and prepare you for successful, rewarding careers.

With best wishes,

Dr. Thomas Summerhill,

Director, Center for Integrative Studies in Social Science

Acting Dean of Academic and Student Affairs, College of Social Science