Desi M. Slaughter | @desimslaughter

To those of you who are here after reading my last post, welcome back.

Some stories are too big to tell all at once...

Earlier this year, I turned 35.

The Quiet Reality of Rebuilding After years of trying to "figure it out," I realized something recently: A lot of us are rebuilding quietly.

In May 2025, I made my final walk across the stage for commencement at Michigan State University.

I’ve always wanted an accountability partner.

If you had told me a week ago that I’d spend 24 hours straight in a room with 130 other students, fueled by caffeine and creative adrenaline, I might have been a bit nervous.

As part of my Minor in Leadership in Integrated Learning through the Liberty Hyde Bailey Scholars Program at Michigan State University, I’ve been asked to create a learning vision statement.

If you had told 17-year-old me, fresh out of high school and eager to take on Michigan State University, that I'd be back in 2025 finishing my degree, I probably would've laughed.

I'm happy to announce my new role as an event co-host with Lansing 5:01, specifically focusing on Grand River Connection programming.