The development of MSU Safe Place came about from the efforts of Former MSU First Lady, Joanne McPherson. As she first set foot on campus, Joanne sought to improve the lives of MSU students. She was struck by the lack of a safe place for students who were experiencing domestic violence to go.
Joanne would spend the better part of the next year working diligently to change that. Thanks to her leadership, Safe Place became the first—and still the only—university-based shelter where students, staff, faculty and their partners experiencing abusive relationships can find refuge and support. The program offers shelter for survivors and their children, as well as advocacy, support and counseling services while working to end stalking and interpersonal violence through public awareness and community education.
Safe Place began offering shelter, support and limited advocacy services in June 1994; community education in September 1994; educational scholarships in August 1997; and from 1999-2003, Safe Place offered a corporate education program. In 1999 Safe Place received a large federal grant from the Department of Justice, Violence Against Women Office to expand funded advocacy services for survivors. In 2021, Safe Place was awarded a Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant which allowed for the expansion from three to six full-time staff.
Safe Place continues in its mission to provide shelter, advocacy, support, and counseling services for survivors of relationship violence and stalking while seeking to end interpersonal violence through public awareness and community education. All services are free and confidential and are offered to students, staff, faculty and their partners as well as non-affiliated members of Ingham County. Safe Place also works to increase awareness about relationship violence and stalking through community education and outreach efforts.
Joanne McPherson, MSU Safe Place Founder
Joanne McPherson founded MSU Safe Place, the first shelter at a university to provide support for victims of domestic violence and stalking, during her time as first lady of Michigan State University.
Sadly, Joanne passed away in 2022; she was at her home surrounded by her family. Joanne will be remembered for her tireless support for domestic violence survivors and the life-changing impact her efforts have had on thousands of Spartans and their families.
“Joanne is the reason we have a relationship violence and stalking shelter and support program on our campus today,” said MSU Safe Place Director Holly Rosen. “I have always valued her compassion and commitment to meet the needs of our campus community and her ability to bring together donors and campus partners to create the program that exists today. She will be greatly missed! My heart goes out to her family and to all the lives she has touched.”
