On May 14, the Canadian Studies Center hosted François Gélineau, Université Laval vice rector for international affairs, sustainable development, equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI), and philanthropy, and Julie Dionne, director of sports and recreation services, for a productive day in East Lansing.

The visit builds on a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed in 2024 that strengthens research and teaching partnerships between the two institutions.

The visit also builds on several center-led delegations of Michigan State University faculty to Université Laval to explore partnerships and deepen ties, with faculty from business, engineering and French participating.

“We were so pleased to host Vice Rector Gélineau and Director Dionne in East Lansing and to highlight all of the impactful work MSU is doing in academics, athletics and outreach,” said Rebecca Malouin, director of the Canadian Studies Center. “Meetings such as these allow us to identify points of synergy between institutions and faculty members, increasing our impact in research and teaching.”

During their visit to East Lansing, Gélineau and Dionne toured MSU athletic facilities and met with leadership from Michigan State University’s International Studies and Programs, the Department of French and MSU Athletics, including Vice President and Athletic Director J Batt, to learn about MSU's work in these areas and possible points of cooperation between our two universities.

The meeting with Athletic Director Batt, for example, focused on the similarities and differences between college athletics in the U.S. and Canada, and on possible opportunities for binational collaboration, particularly given the many Canadian Spartans who play on a host of MSU teams, including women’s soccer and men’s hockey.

Another highlight of the visit was a meeting with CSC core faculty from multiple colleges engaged in active research partnerships with colleagues at Université Laval, along with a visit to the iconic MSU Dairy Store!