My Spartan Story Helps Spartans Codify Their Out-of-Classroom Experiences

<p>“Historically at MSU students have had a formal record of their credit bearing and learning through the academic transcript. And we at MSU know students are engaging in thousands of opportunities that are non-credit bearing and tied to MSU's undergraduate learning goals. And that has led to the creation of <a href="https://mystory.msu.edu/">My Spartan Story</a> and the <a href="https://mystory.msu.edu/mystory-101/ser-example/">Spartan Experience Record</a>.”</p><p>Schultz says My Spartan Story initially was a project in MSU’s <a href="https://hub.msu.edu">Hub for Innovation in Learning and Technology</a> started in 2016 with the goal of determining the focus and purpose of a co-curricular record at MSU.</p><p>“Students are engaging in many opportunities outside the classroom. And to list a few, think of students who are engaging in on-campus jobs, internships, leadership roles, undergraduate research, and volunteering in the greater community,” continues Schultz. “And think of those opportunities a student found through conversation with a faculty or staff mentor. Those are all opportunities we've known existed, but we haven't had a formal way to track and make further meaning of and really empower students to have recognition by MSU of their learning beyond the classroom. In fall 2020, we formally launched <a href="https://www.facebook.com/myspartanstory">My Spartan Story</a>. In the midst of a global pandemic, we are moving forward with the new academic year with a ramp up of our great new initiative for Spartans.”</p><p>Schultz explains how the program works for students and the significance of the Spartan Experience Record. My Spartan Story is an initiative that’s part of <a href="https://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2021/stanley-national-higher-education-task-force">President Stanley's role</a> on the <a href="https://taskforceonhighered.org/">Taskforce on Higher Education and Opportunity</a>.</p><p>“My Spartan Story is one of the key initiatives for the 2021 to 2022 academic year with the task force, w