Entry #41 Spartan Global Development Fund (SGDF) Students Speak: What SGDF means to me.

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As we approached the 2022-2023 academic year, I asked returning student members of our Spartan Global Development Fund the question, “What does Spartan Global Mean to you?” Although I have written about SGDF in various articles and on this blog, I wanted to share the students’ words directly.  (See entries ## 20, 31, 32, 33 and 34 for my stories about SGDF and microfinance.)

​In their responses, which are the basis for this essay, students offer thoughtful observations about their experiences while making microloans.  We continue to make direct loans to small businesses in Guatemala facilitated by our own field partners, and we make loans around the world through the online lending platform KIVA. (To learn about Spartan Global's activities, go to
Spartan Global’s website at www.spartanglobalfund.org. Also, see our team’s page on the KIVA website at https://www.kiva.org/team/spartanglobal to learn about how we participate in their lending programs.   With 70 KIVA team members, we have contributed to at least 3,243 loans through that program.) 
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I am proud of our students and their dedication to extending economic opportunity to small entrepreneurs across the world. A small loan makes a major difference in the lives of individuals, their families, and their communities.  

The entries below reflect the passions of young people who take great satisfaction in making a difference for others. Although we are based in the Broad College of Business at <ocjogam State University, please notice the wide variety of interests, passions, colleges, majors, minors of the student members. That diversity enriches our organization, and each member makes unique contributions to our efforts.  

​Charlotte Cox, a Junior with a major in International Relations and a minor in Spanish will serve on our Marketing and Communication Team for 2022-2023.  She observes:
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SGDF is like no other organization [at MSU] in that it gives me a direct relationship with people in other countries.  Spartan Global has shown me how my own actions and the actions of my fellow members can produce visible results, because we are able to interact with the people who receive microloans. Spartan Global promotes the idea of “small is mighty,” and we put that idea into action by funding microloans!

​Marissa Thome, a junior majoring in Marketing in the Broad College of Business, began to serve as our Member and Donor Relations coordinator in 2021, and she will continue to serve through the 2022-2023 academic year.  She observes:

As a freshman studying from home during Covid (2021-2022), it was hard to get involved in things at school.  Yet, I knew I wanted to be a part of something. When I saw what Spartan Global was all about, I knew that was “it.” During my freshman year, having everything on Zoom was different, yet I was always excited to go to meetings and learn how we have helped and continue to help others. I love being a part of Spartan Global, and I will continue to participate with enthusiasm throughout my years at Michigan State.

Sam Bacarella will graduate in 2023 with a major in Cognitive Neuroscience in the College of Natural Science and is our treasurer for 2022-2023.  He consults with an experienced mentor:  Nicole Whaley, a CPA and a member of the 501(c)(3) Board. Sam says:

SGDF is one of the most open and welcoming groups of people I have met at MSU, and I am so glad that I joined an organization with such driven people. I have learned great deal from our members and board members. I love SGDF’s mission.  I love the fact that we can meet our field partners and loan recipients in Guatemala through Zoom calls.  I can't wait for this coming year!  

Matthew Emery will graduate in 2023 with two majors and two minors. His majors are Global and International Studies in the College of Social Sciences and International Development and Women’s and Gender Studies in the College of Arts and Letters. His minors are in Peace and Justice Studies and Leadership of Organizations.  For 2022-2023, he will serve as Director of our Marketing and Communication Team.  Matthew states:

SGDF is extremely important to me because I get to see, firsthand, how microfinance works and the importance of empowering marginalized communities. Moreover, the way we carry it out using field partners and working  through our non-profit organization is highly equitable. SGDF gives me an outlet to pursue my interests in human rights and community and economic development while our work produces long-lasting, sustainable effects within communities worldwide. 

Andrew Blankenship. a senior Finance Major in the Broad College of Business with a German minor, is our President for 2022-2023.  He works closely with SGDF’s faculty advisor (that’s me!) and meets regularly with our 501(c)(3) board of directors.  Andrew says:

Spartan Global has been a particularly important part of my college experience. I look forward to meetings every week because I get to know everyone in the club, and we take action to help other people. I've learned so much about how business works throughout the world and the challenges that arise. Working within Spartan Global, I have learned in ways that are not possible through a conventional business education.

I encourage you to support and appreciate our committed young leaders!

*That’s all for now!  I hope you are inspired by the words of experienced SGDF members who will be returning to campus and continue to share their talents, time, and knowledge.  They are making a difference in the lives of individuals, their families, and their communities by extending economic opportunity to small entrepreneurs around the world.

If you are a student at MSU and you are inspired by what you have read in this essay, please join us.  We welcome undergraduate students at all levels and from all majors.

Whatever your background as a reader, I trust that this essay is a reminder that there are young people at MSU who are making the world a better place. 

P.S. My next blog will feature words from recent MSU graduates who served others through SGDF during their undergraduate years.   Please come back to read their words about the difference SGDF has made in their lives.  
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Copyright ©2022 by Paulette L Stenzel, Professor Emerita, International Business Law and Sustainability, Michigan State University.