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Breaking barriers: Dana Watson’s journey as the second black woman on East Lansing City Council

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Council member Dana Watson is the second black woman to ever serve on the East Lansing City Council. She was appointed in 2020, and is currently serving her four-year term. 

One key focus for Watson is to influence and promote inclusivity. 

Being on council is a taxing responsibility, given that it takes up many hours of the day. The pay is $10,000 a year. Some of the city council meetings can run from 7 p.m. and can last until well past midnight. During the day, Watson works in public health as the health equity and social justice coordinator at the Ingham County Health Department. 

As a co-parent of three teenagers, this is not something that Watson likes about being a council member.

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Williamston Township celebrates AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award, commits to STEM inclusivity

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In Williamston Township, the recognition of the efforts to earn the Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science Female Diversity Award are highlighted on a plaque in the boardroom of the middle school. 

This past week, the Williamston Board of Education recognized the award received from 2023. The award was installed in Williamston Middle School by Superintendent Adam Spina and Rob Dexter, with the 2019 engraving of the same award. The award was given through the class Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles, which is an advanced placement program that allows high school students to experience and achieve college-level studies while still in high school. 

The school also was awarded with AP College Board Academic Honor Roll, supported with the scores that students achieved on AP level tests a couple months prior. 

Because of the previous gender gap in students that move on to study STEM related fields at the university level, the district decided that it was a good idea to start learning about this at an early age. 

“One of our goals was to make sure that we were engaging female students,” said Superintendent Adam Spina. “Encouraging them to pursue those courses as they were so inclined by school.”

Only 1,127 schools were awarded this for the 2022-2023 school year according to Quest. This award meant a lot to the school because it showed the efforts that the board and students have made to be recognized nationally. 

“Research shows that female students who take AP computer science are more likely to major in computer science in college compared with matched peers,” according to AP Central.

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MSU’s Breslin Center set to host annual spring concert with headliner Waka Flocka Flame

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MSU’s Breslin Student Events Center is most commonly known by students as the Izzone, in reference to the beloved basketball coach Tom Izzo, but it is also home to other events like the spring concert put on every year. The event is put on by ASMSU, Impact 89FM, RHA and UAB, all organizations at MSU. They have around a $100,000 budget for the concert. This is something that these organizations have taken over from MSU running the events in the past 10 years. The concert was held March 28 at the Breslin Center with the headliner Waka Flocka Flame and the opener Between Friends.

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What it takes to be an entrepreneur in a college town

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Entrepreneurship is a big part of today’s society, with social media platforms growing, as well as students wanting to be able to financially support themselves. 

Establishing a business on campus can present many challenges for students. One student in particular has brought a community of women together on campus. Kinesiology sophomore Anya Cutshall decided the best way to do that was to create her own nail business. 

“I think my business helps people show confidence,” Cutshall said. “It’s good to be confident in what you do, like with my business, but also good to be confident as a woman who takes the time to take care of herself.”

Cutshall has on average, anywhere from three to ten customers a week. She keeps her prices on the cheaper side, about $25-35, because she knows that it is hard for students to pay the average price of a nail salon, which can range anywhere from $60-100. 

Client and sophomore Natalie Lennartsson decides to keep going back to Cutshall because the prices are so cheap.

News

What it takes to be an entrepreneur in a college town

By |

Entrepreneurship is a big part of today’s society, with social media platforms growing, as well as students wanting to be able to financially support themselves. 

Establishing a business on campus can present many challenges for students. One student in particular has brought a community of women together on campus. Kinesiology sophomore Anya Cutshall decided the best way to do that was to create her own nail business. 

“I think my business helps people show confidence,” Cutshall said. “It’s good to be confident in what you do, like with my business, but also good to be confident as a woman who takes the time to take care of herself.”

Cutshall has on average, anywhere from three to ten customers a week. She keeps her prices on the cheaper side, about $25-35, because she knows that it is hard for students to pay the average price of a nail salon, which can range anywhere from $60-100. 

Client and sophomore Natalie Lennartsson decides to keep going back to Cutshall because the prices are so cheap.