ASP Summer ACE Program
The Academic Scholars Program (ASP) at Michigan State University launched its inaugural summer bridge program in 2022. To learn more about past programs, visit the links below.
The Summer ACE Program – Accelerating Connections & Excellence is designed to welcome incoming Academic Scholars to MSU, support their academic and social transition to the university, and further introduce them to resources and opportunities available on and off campus.
Through the program, 45 incoming Scholars have the opportunity to:
- Start building their Spartan network within and beyond the classroom
- Begin working toward their ASP requirements by completing their first-year experience course and 1 of 2 Honors experiences
- Take advantage of reduced tuition through the Spartan Early Start Program
- Live on campus for one week in July and begin settling into their new community
2025 program dates are pending.
The 2024 Summer ACE Program was a hybrid program hosted July 1 – August 16, 2024 with one week on campus required in July.
Program Information
Summer ACE participants are expected to engage in all parts of the program from July 1-August 16 as outlined below.
- July 1-August 16 – hybrid synchronous course (Tuesdays 2:40-4:00 p.m. ET) and weekly programming led by Undergraduate Learning Assistants (Thursdays 6:30-8:30 p.m. ET)
- July 1-11 – Tuesday afternoon virtual course sessions + Thursday evening weekly programming
- July 12-18 – no course sessions
- July 19-21 – in-person course sessions
- July 22-August 16 – Tuesday afternoon virtual synchronous course sessions + Thursday evening weekly programming
- July 14-21 – on-campus experience with ASP and OCAT**
**Participants will live on campus in a residence hall near ACE program activities; this is likely not the same as your assigned residence hall for the 2024-2025 academic year.
The 2025 Summer ACE Program is open to first-year members of the Academic Scholars Program whose first semester at MSU is Summer/Fall 2025. Applications will be open May 1-June 6.
2024 NOTES
All Summer ACE participants are expected to participate in week one of the 2024 Maximizing Academic Growth in College (MAGIC) Program from July 14-19.
There is a $75 participation fee for the 2024 MAGIC Program. If the participation fee poses a hardship, please email ocat@msu.edu to learn about the waiver process.
2025 costs are pending.
2024 Program Costs
- $450 – Tuition for UGS 201H (discounted through the Spartan Early Start Program)
- $0 – Textbooks (all materials will be accessible via D2L)
- $135 – Participation fees (meals and lodging)
- $75 paid as part of MAGIC application
- $60 applied toward Fall semester bill for ACE participation
Tuition expenses and the ACE participation fee will be charged on the Fall semester bill. Upon completion of the MAGIC application, applicants will be directed to the online payment site to submit the MAGIC participation fee.
Scholarships are limited. All applicants will be considered for scholarship as funds allow. Please email ecrews@msu.edu if the cost presents a hardship.
2025 course information is pending.
2024 Course Information
UGS 201-730H: Understanding Black History through Black Music, 1920s-Present
Summer Session 2 – July 1-August 16
Dynamic (synchronous online course with weekly evening ULA meetings plus in-person week July 14-21)
Instructor: Dr. Nakia Parker
Requirement Fulfillment
UGS 201H is eligible to count toward:
- ASP first-year experience requirement
- 1 Honors experience
- 1 Integrative Studies requirement (IAH 211+ or ISS 200-level)
Course Meeting Times
- Weekly online sessions with an Honors faculty member (Tuesdays 2:40-4:00 p.m. ET)
- Weekly discussion + intergroup dialogue sessions with Undergraduate Learning Assistants and MSU staff (Thursdays 6:30-8:30 p.m. ET)
All class sessions as posted are required to participate in ACE with limited exception.
Course Description
What is “Black” music? What can the creation of different genres of “Black” music in a specific time and place teach us about the history of African/Black Americans and the African diaspora more broadly? And how was Black music shaped by its specific geographical, social, political, and cultural environment? This course will analyze key historical eras and themes of African American history such as Reconstruction, Jim Crow, The Great Migration, Civil Rights Movement, Black Power, etc. through musical genres like gospel, blues, ragtime, jazz, rock and roll, rhythm and blues, funk, disco, hip-hop, techno, and more. We will address these topics through a variety of ways, including lectures, group discussion and activities, readings, videos, and digital humanities technology. We will listen to and analyze song lyrics, album covers, album reviews, images, narratives, film, etc. to gain a deeper understanding of how Black music became an integral part of American and global culture.
Technology Requirements
Computer with reliable access to internet
MSU Net ID to gain access to MSU Libraries electronic databases
2025 guest information is pending.
2024 Guest Information
Students’ parents and families are invited to participate in the on-campus experience on July 14 or July 21. Special support network programming will be offered by the Academic Scholars Program and other campus partners.
The Supporting Your Spartan session will take place from 1:30-2:30PM ET in 134 Brody on Sunday, July 14 and Sunday, July 21. The goal of this session is to equip ACE and MAGIC guests with resources and materials to best support their student throughout the academic year. Presenters will review:
– MSU academic calendar and important dates to remember (add/drop, FAFSA, scholarships, etc.)
– Imposter syndrome and mental health support for students
– Success resources to remind your student about (office hours, tutoring, help rooms, etc.)
– Finances as a college student
2024 program sponsored by:
