Faculty voice: Canadian studies in the Mitten State, a perfect fit

Rebecca Malouin (she/her/hers) is director of the Canadian Studies Center in MSU International Studies and Programs. She also serves as director of the Global Health Studies program and is a professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine in the College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a Ph.D. and M.P.H. in international health at Johns Hopkins University and a M.S. in epidemiology at Michigan State University. 

My love for Canada began on a family trip to Toronto when I was in elementary school. I was shocked that I could be in a foreign country with different currency, languages and metric system (by federal law, all signage and product labels are written in both English and French), yet less than a half day by train from our home in East Lansing. My love was confirmed during a high school trip to Montreal and Quebec City, experiencing the beautiful architecture, the delicious cuisine (such as poutine), and generous hospitality of my Quebecois host family. I am now thrilled to share similarly life-changing experiences with faculty and students at Michigan State through the Canadian Studies Center. 

Established in 1958 at the behest of MSU President John A. Hannah, the MSU Canadian Studies Center (CSC) is the longest-serving center for the study of Canada in the United States. Housed within International Studies and Programs, the Center’s primary areas of focus include promoting research; facilitating partnerships between MSU, the Center’s 140+ core faculty members, and universities and partners in Canada; and furthering the academic study of Canada at MSU and beyond. In addition to the core faculty, the Center is guided by an external advisory committee, chaired by Governor James Blanchard, former U.S. Ambassador to Canada. 

When I became the Center’s director in 2020, I was shocked to discover Canada is the top work-related travel destination of faculty at Michigan State University. I also discovered that MSU faculty co-publish more academic papers with faculty in Canada than from any other country with the exception of China. Apparently, my love of Canada is not unique! 

As one of the few remaining Canadian Studies centers in the Midwest, the Center is also host to the Midwest Canadian Studies Network, bringing together Canadianists from across the Midwest and beyond, to present work through monthly webinars, identify collaborations for grants and manuscripts, discuss and share courses, and provide a community for established and emerging Canadianists.  

A unique hallmark of the Center is the annual CN Forum. Initiated through a generous endowment provided to the Center by Canadian National Railway (CN), the CN Forum provides a venue for academic, business, advocacy and governmental leaders to share information, discuss matters of common concern to those in the U.S. and Canada, and identify opportunities for mutual cooperation to enhance social and economic growth.  

The 2024 CN Forum will be held Sept. 27 at the Henry Center for Executive Development and is titled, “Beyond the Gordie Howe Bridge: Reimagining Trade and Commerce for a New Age.” The Forum will bring together local, state and federal legislators from Michigan and the Midwest; local, provincial, and federal legislators and diplomats from Canada; as well as U.S. and Canadian business leaders and MSU faculty, staff and students.   

We welcome Canada enthusiasts as our door is always open! All students are invited to join the Canada Club to practice curling, try a butter tart, watch a Canadian film and learn about education abroad programs, internships, academic programs, or employment in Canada.  

Whether it is through our Canadian alumni who have gone on to lead industries like fashion — Roots co-founder Don Green, or sport — Harley Hotchkiss, Calgary Flames owner — to our current students and student athletes who call Canada home, the MSU connection to Canada runs deep.

Faculty and staff, please reach out as I appreciate opportunities to create partnerships across the university to discuss research or teaching interests, to help identify potential collaborators or funders in Canada through Canada Connect, and to support faculty work through strategic partnership grants.  

The Canadian Studies Center is a unique and important unit within the university, the State of Michigan, and the Midwest United States. We provide an educational and social link for MSU students and a professional and research link for our faculty to connect with Canadian universities as well as federal and provincial public and private partners.  

New and exciting projects are happening in Canadian studies such as an introductory course to be offered in spring 2025: SSC 290-730: Understanding Canada: From Maple Leaves to Multiculturalism. Visit us in Room 306 of the International Center for a piece of maple candy or on our website and social media to learn more.