By Zachary Pea | Published 22 hours ago

Many MSU groups cater to specific interests or demographics, but one program offers something everyone wants simple guidelines to success.

The student-driven organization, the MSU Advantage Program, kicked off its Success Series Tuesday night by bringing motivational speaker and author, Eric Thomas, to the Erickson Hall Kiva to speak to students.

Tony Nuckolls, MSU alumnus and vice president of training and development at Quicken Loans, accompanied Thomas, also an MSU alumnus, to the Erickson Hall Kiva stage to speak about the importance of networking to personal success.

I would really recommend that students cry out to alumni, faculty and staff, Thomas said. I believe that with the right support of human resources and financial support, any student has the ability to do well.

African American and Latino male graduation rates have dropped to about 32 percent in the past six years, according to Thomas.

Being in Detroit, my biological father wasnt in my life, and then I dropped out of high school, he said. It took 12 years for me to get an undergraduate degree, but I did it.

Dont quit; just keep going, is what economics senior Walter Bivens said he stresses to everyone attending MSU Advantage Program events.

The MSU Advantage Program includes members who are economically strict, who grew up on the wrong side of lifes tracks, those with depression issues and even those who excel in academics, according to Bivens.

Were looking to save all students, from the 4.0 student to the student whos on academic probation, to make sure they graduate and stay the course, Bivens said.

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Speaker lays out guidelines for success