Kaylin Casper graduated from Michigan State in the Spring of 2026 with more than just a diploma. She leaves behind a legacy of service and passion for community and has received an impressive number of awards and accolades recognizing this work.
Casper earned degrees in sociology and humanities - prelaw with an additional major in women’s & gender studies and minors in American Indian & Indigenous Studies, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and sexuality studies and peace and justice studies. She was also a member of the Honors College.
Casper credits the Social Science Scholars program for being a "foundational cornerstone" of her undergraduate success, one that consistently opened doors for her to explore her academic and professional interests, connected her to faculty and support networks, and introduced her to fellow students who became lifelong friends.
"The Social Science Scholars Program and the scholarship support I received through the program provided access to opportunities, student involvement, and meaningful relationships that became foundational to my college experience,” Casper said. “My undergraduate experience would not have been nearly as enriching, fulfilling, or transformative without the support of such scholarships.”
Casper spent her time at Michigan State striving to make a difference. She is Anishinaabe and a direct descendant of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, and is deeply involved in advocacy for Indigenous rights and equitable education.
Casper also had the opportunity to study abroad in both the United Kingdom and the Netherlands through the Scholars program, and she credits these "transformative experiences" for deepening her understanding of colonialism and inspiring her commitment to human rights, public interests, and federal Indian law.
Her work in tribal policy is what ultimately led to her being awarded the Udall Undergraduate Scholarship, a nationally competitive award that identifies future leaders in environmental, Tribal public policy and healthcare fields, in 2024. Casper also played an essential role in the establishing of the Migiziwazison Living Community, a student residential community designed to center the experiences, cultural knowledge, and leadership development of Native and Indigenous communities.
“Some students leave a legacy at MSU which is guaranteed to live on for many years after their departure. Kaylin is one such benefactor to our campus,” Social Science Scholars Program Director John Waller said. “Soon after arriving at MSU, Kaylin threw herself into the work of the North American Indigenous Student Organization. As an executive board member, she has been a driving force behind every student initiative to enhance support for Native students. It’s hard to overstate the significance of what she’s achieved.”
In 2025, Casper was named a Rhodes Scholarship national finalist — one of only 238 students out of nearly 2,800 applicants nationwide — a Truman Scholarship finalist, and a Marshall Scholarship nominee. Casper capped all of this off last May with the reception of the Featherstone Award, a prestigious award given to an MSU senior who exhibits an open, curious and creative approach to education and ideas, with demonstrated character and leadership, and a commitment to community service.
This fall, Casper takes the next steps toward continuing her education when she joins the prestigious Yale Law School Launchpad Scholars Program. This highly competitive program aims to promote access to the legal profession by equipping participants with the tools and resources they need to apply to the law schools of their choosing and succeed as law students and legal professionals. Launchpad Scholars are selected based on their potential for academic excellence, leadership promise, engagement with their communities, and ability to work collaboratively with individuals from many different backgrounds and perspectives. Casper’s impressive list of efforts and experiences at MSU and interest in federal Indian law made her an excellent fit for the program.
"My experiences applying to national scholarships, with the support of the Scholars program, prepared me well for post-graduate life and the ability to competitively apply to programs, jobs, and graduate schools," Casper added.
Casper follows in the footsteps of former MSU Social Science Scholar Vivian Morales, a 2025-26 member of the Launchpad Program.