MSU FGSO

What FGSO Does

A student-led hub for community, representation, and professional growth in the MSU Department of Forestry.

Community & Events

FGSO plans and supports social, academic, and professional events that connect forestry graduate students with one another and with the wider MSU community. Activities range from welcome events and holiday gatherings to picnics, campus tours, and collaborative programs with the Department of Forestry and campus partners.

Student Voice & Liaison

FGSO serves as a confidential forum and organized voice for forestry graduate students. Officers work with the Graduate Student Committee, departmental leadership, the Council of Graduate Students (COGS), and MSU administration to surface shared concerns, communicate values, and help shape a supportive learning and research environment.

Professional Development & Research

FGSO organizes and promotes opportunities for professional growth, including the annual Graduate Research Symposium, seminar participation, and connections to workshops, funding sources, and campus resources. These efforts help graduate students share their work, build skills, and prepare for careers in forestry and allied fields.

Events

Symposium, socials, writing club, hikes, and partnered events that keep MSU Forestry grads connected.

MSU Forestry Graduate Research Symposium

11th Annual Graduate Research Symposium

Forests as a Solution
February 5, 2026 · All day

Collaborative event with multiple graduate organizations

Partner Events with COGS & Campus Partners

Joint programming with MSU-wide graduate organizations
Throughout the year

Graduate students hiking in a local park

Local Park Hikes

Exploring Lansing-area forests and greenspaces
Selected weekends · Fall and spring

Students writing with laptops and notebooks

FGSO Writing Club

Structured writing time for theses, papers, and proposals
Weekly · Scheduled blocks during the semester

FGSO Coffee Hours

Informal check-ins and conversation
Twice monthly · Midday on campus

Forestry grad students at a social event

Grad Student Happy Hour

Monthly social for MSU Forestry grads
First Thursday of each month · 5–7 PM

About the Forestry Graduate Student Organization

A student-led community at Michigan State University supporting graduate scholarship, professional growth, and a strong departmental voice.

December 2013

FGSO is Established

The Forestry Graduate Student Organization formed to educate the MSU community and public on forestry and forest science, to represent graduate student interests within the Department of Forestry, to organize seminars and public events, and to build an active, supportive graduate community through social and professional programming. The constitution adopted on December 12, 2013 set the foundation for this mission.
March 2016

Growing Participation and Reach

An amendment on March 27, 2016 clarified how FGSO engages with the Department of Forestry, the Council of Graduate Students, and MSU administration. Programming expanded across academic, professional, and social spheres so members could connect across labs, cohorts, and partner organizations on campus.
January 2024

Clear, Inclusive Governance

The January 16, 2024 amendment reaffirmed an open, respectful community consistent with MSU policies. The constitution now outlines a transparent membership process, a defined pathway for submitting concerns, notice and meeting procedures, voting thresholds, and a documented appeal option. These updates support a safe forum for candid discussion and shared solutions.
October 2025

Modernized Leadership and Service

The October 13, 2025 amendment refined officer roles and annual rhythms so the organization runs smoothly across cohorts. Positions include President, Secretary, Communications and Outreach, Activities and Social Planning, Treasurer and Fundraising, COGS Representative, Graduate Student Committee Representative, Graduate Symposium Chair, Sustainability Council Representative, and DEI Committee Representative. Elections occur each spring, terms start in fall, and procedures exist for vacancies and accountability.
Every February

Graduate Research Symposium

A centerpiece of FGSO is the day-long Graduate Research Symposium held the second Thursday of February, often at historic Chittenden Hall. Planning begins in early fall, with calls for abstracts, coordinated judging, keynote logistics, and promotions across campus. The event showcases graduate scholarship, builds presentation skills, and strengthens connections among students, faculty, and partners.
Join FGSO
Get Involved
Make an Impact

Membership is open to MSU students with voting privileges for those affiliated with the Department of Forestry. Meetings occur monthly during the academic year with hybrid access when possible. FGSO welcomes new ideas, volunteers, and collaborators across campus. Read the full constitution for membership details, officer responsibilities, and amendments: msufgso.org/constitution.

Officers & Representatives

Student leaders who help coordinate meetings, events, and communication for the Forestry Graduate Student Organization.

Parker Hopkins

President

TBD Secretary

Secretary

TBD Communications / Outreach Manager

Communications & Outreach Manager

TBD Activities / Social Planning Chair

Activities & Social Planning Chair

TBD Treasurer & Fundraising Manager

Treasurer & Fundraising Manager

TBD COGS Representative

COGS Representative

TBD Graduate Student Committee Representative

Graduate Student Committee Representative

TBD Graduate Symposium Chair

Graduate Symposium Chair

TBD Sustainability Council Representative

Sustainability Council Representative

FGSO is a horizontally structured, student-led organization. Officers coordinate logistics, represent graduate student perspectives in departmental and university spaces, and help sustain a welcoming community where all Forestry graduate students can participate and be heard.

Contact the Forestry Graduate Student Organization

Reach out about meetings, membership, events, or graduate student concerns within the MSU Department of Forestry.

FGSO is a student-led organization in the MSU Department of Forestry that provides a confidential forum for graduate students, organizes seminars and social events, and serves as a liaison with faculty, the Council of Graduate Students (COGS), and MSU administration. If your message concerns sensitive matters, you are also welcome to contact the President or Secretary directly using the email addresses shared in our meeting announcements and constitution.