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The MSU Museum is undergoing an 18-month renovation, with a planned reopening in January 2026. During this time, we continue to create experiences at the intersection of arts, sciences, cultures, and technologies.

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CoLaborators at the MSU Museum

An MSU student, wearing a dark green MSU Museum t-shirt and glasses, discusses an exhibit with a visitor in a blue jacket.

The CoLaborator program is part of the CoLab Studio, the innovation unit within the MSU Museum. Designed for undergraduate and graduate students, the program empowers participants to facilitate visitor engagement through open-ended conversations centered on the Museum’s exhibitions. These exhibitions often explore complex societal issues and CoLaborators serve as guides who tailor each conversation to visitors’ interests and insights. Without a set script, students build communication and critical thinking skills, learn to ask thought-provoking questions and engage with a variety of perspectives, and help deepen public understanding and reflection around the exhibition themes.

An MSU student leans over an exhibit, her light brunette hair cascading over her shoulders as she explains part an exhibit to visitors
In a colorful exhibition space with bright yellow and green walls, a table set with plates, cutlery, and wine glasses, and cylindrical containers sits surrounded by four white chairs. In each chair sits a plant. An MSU student in a black t-shirt with the MSU Museum logo in green explains the spread in front of him to two visitors.
A diverse group of MSU students wearing grey t-shirts bearing the 1.5 Celsius logo while standing in front of the exhibition lead wall.
An MSU student wearing a black t-shirt with the MSU Museum logo in green speaks to an older visitor about an exhibition, colorful walls visible behind them.

Students come from diverse academic backgrounds, ranging from the sciences to the humanities, allowing for interdisciplinary connections between the Museum content and their coursework. The program not only enhances student learning but also fosters confidence, curiosity, and collaboration. In addition to their work in the galleries, CoLaborators help shape the exhibitions themselves by creating multimedia content like podcasts, contributing to curatorial and event planning teams, and even developing their own exhibits. These experiences make CoLaborators work both intellectually engaging and personally meaningful. Through CoLaborators, the MSU Museum reimagines what learning and dialogue can look like in a museum setting and provides an essential opportunity for students to develop competencies essential for thriving in the 21st-century workforce.

Featured CoLaborators

Ben Adams

Block image a young man in a black shirt with green lettering that says Museum smiles at the camera while standing in a marble staircase

“Being able to explain a piece concisely and create a question that sparks curiosity is the most important skill I have learned.”

College of Engineering, Biosystems Engineering

Being part of the MSU Museum as a CoLaborator has been a rewarding experience. One of the most valuable skills I have gained is learning how to explain complex ideas concisely and spark conversations that encourage deeper thinking. Every discussion is different, and finding ways to connect people to the exhibition themes is both challenging and fulfilling.

Muna Akwali

Block image a young black woman with curly brown hair wearing a black t-shirt with green text reading

“Each conversation is different, and that’s what makes it so powerful.”

College of Social Science, Criminal Justice

Being a CoLaborator at the MSU Museum has been an incredible experience. I have had the opportunity to engage with visitors from all walks of life, sparking conversations that are as unique as the people themselves. There is no script as it is about connecting, listening, and exchanging perspectives. Every conversation offers a chance to learn something new, and that is what makes it so powerful.

Sam Booth

Block image A young MSU student with short blond hair standing on a marble staircase wearing a black shirt with green writing that reads

“Museums combine art, science, and technology in a way that no other concept excites me quite the same.”

College of Communication Arts and Sciences, Digital Storytelling

My time as a CoLaborator at the MSU Museum has been an eye-opening experience. I have always wanted to work in museums, and this role has deepened my passion for the field. One of the most memorable moments for me was the Super Mario Corn exhibit. It creatively addressed the dangers of pesticides in farming, using art and gaming to communicate a real-world issue. That experience showed me how museums can spark conversations and challenge misinformation.

A diverse group of MSU students stand with their supervisor, all students wearing black t-shirts with the MSU Museum logo in lime green. Their supervisor, Caroline White, stands in the middle in a patterned dress. Everyone smiles at the camera, posing in a front of a lead exhibit wall decorated with rows of hanging plastic fruit above their heads.

Join Us in Shaping the Future

The MSU Museum’s CoLaborator Program empowers undergraduate and graduate students to lead conversations that inspire curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking. By supporting this initiative, you are investing in the next generation. Your contribution helps provide mentorship, hands-on experience, and opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds to explore the intersections of arts, sciences, cultures, and technologies. Together, we can continue fostering inclusive dialogue and innovative learning experiences.

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