Our Team
Contact Information:
Telephone: (517) 353-3524
Fax: (517) 355-0970
Ernest S. Betts, PhD, Assistant Dean for Multicultural Business Programs.
Dean Betts has over 27 years of experience counseling multicultural and low-income students. He has established consultancy relationships with Fortune 500 corporations that have resulted in dynamic corporate financial partnerships such as The Summer Business Institute and the Broad Business Student Camp.
Dean Betts is a specialist in the areas of diversity both domestic and international, placement, recruitment and retention who remains committed to students and their development through higher education and professional life.
He has developed and facilitated two international study abroad programs to Monterrey, Mexico and Cape Town, South Africa. Through partnerships with corporations and local universities, these programs give students an opportunity to gain insight into the global business opportunities, social and corporate cultures of these nations and enhance their academic knowledge to explore business opportunities around the world.
Dean Betts holds a bachelor of arts degree in Industrial Psychology, master's degree in Rehabilitation Placement Counseling, a doctorate in University and College Administration and is an adjunct professor in Management for the Broad College of Business at MSU and Monterrey Tec in Monterrey, Mexico. bettse@msu.edu
Darrell E. King, M.A., Associate Director
Darrell serves as our Associate Director for Multicultural Business Programs. He has been a part of MBP since 1997. He has nearly 17 years of experience providing academic support services to students in higher education. He has presented at national conferences as well as given corporate presentations on student success. He has traveled to over 16 different countries and values diverse learning experiences. He has also served as the Faculty Assistant for a Study Abroad program in Monterrey Mexico.
In his role as Associate Director for MBP, he provides academic and career advising and helps to coordinate our summer program. He also provides leadership to our staff and motivates students through innovative learning opportunities. He created the annual Multicultural Heroes Hall of Fame Case Competition in 2002 and created the Multicultural Business Programs/ Accounting & Information Systems Scholarship Partnership in 2005. He also interacts with corporate representatives on behalf of students in order to match them with internships and permanent placement opportunities.
Mr. King has also served as an adjunct professor at a previous institution. He has also taught Freshmen Seminar courses at Michigan State University.
He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Communications from Grand Valley State University He holds a Master’s degree in Higher Education and Counseling from Eastern Michigan University. He is currently pursing his doctorate at Michigan State University.
He is truly an advocate for students. He has worked tirelessly to help all students achieve their goals of getting a college education. kingdar@msu.edu
Kevin P. Leonard, M.A., Senior Program Coordinator.
Kevin Leonard has been involved with MBP for over sixteen years; first as a student from 1990-95, as a liaison to MBP with the MSU Office of Admissions and Scholarship from 1995-99 and as a Graduate Assistant with MBP from 2002-05. In total, he has over 11 years of experience in university admissions and academic support services in higher education.
Mr. Leonard currently holds two degrees from Michigan State University, including a bachelor of arts degree in Hospitality Business and a master’s degree in Higher, Adult and Lifelong Education. He is currently pursuing his third degree from MSU having started the doctorate program in Higher, Adult and Lifelong Education.
As Senior Program Coordinator for MBP, Mr. Leonard provides students academic and career advising. In addition to assisting with the coordination of the Summer Business Institute he also manages the MBP Tutorial Program which serves over 300-350 students a semester. He also maintains an affiliation with corporate representatives in order to match students with internships and permanent placement opportunities. leonard1@msu.edu
Anne Samuel Crain, Program Coordinator.
Anne Samuel Crain has served as a Graduate Assistant since 2004 and joined the staff full time in 2006. As Program Coordinator for MBP, she plans the Multicultural Heroes Hall of Fame Case Competition, the Asian Pacific American Business Leadership Conference and advises the Women in Business Students’ Association. She facilitates recruitment for the freshmen residential option program in the College of Business through community outreach programs.
Ms. Crain has a bachelor of arts degree in journalism from MSU and will complete her master’s degree in clinical social work in 2007. She has nine years of experience mentoring students from diverse backgrounds and creating programming to assist in student development. crainann@msu.edu
Karen Vanatta, Program Secretary
Karen Vanatta has been employed with MSU for over 30 years, and with The Eli Broad College of Business since 1992. She is secretary for the Assistant Dean of Multicultural Business Programs. Ms. Vanatta also provides support for the Summer Business Institute. vanatta@msu.edu