At Michigan State University, creative inquiry and expression are integral to advancing knowledge, the cornerstone of our mission. Spartans illustrate every day the varied ways that the arts are an essential part of the MSU experience. Arts MSU’s Spartan Portrait Series shines a spotlight on students who are doing amazing things in the arts during their time here on campus.

Microbiology major Faith Nhkum is bridging the gap between art and natural sciences, showing Spartans that you don’t have to leave your passions behind when you come to MSU.

As a first year, Faith knew she wanted a career in STEM, so she found other ways to pursue her artistic interests. Faith decided to minor in comic art and graphic novels, with plans to create a comic book, hoping to inspire future scientists to pursue the arts, and future artists to take an interest in STEM.

Aside from her minor, Faith finds other ways to express her artistic talents. In 2023 she submitted a proposal for the Create! Micro-Grant program and became one of the 13 winners that received a $500 grant to create her project.

With this grant she created the piece Kachin Agony: A Charcoal Cry of Silent Genocide. She also joined a painting club that she has since become the president of. Faith enjoys the fact that the club is open to students of all majors, allowing everyone an opportunity to express their creativity regardless of what they are studying.

In this video below, learn more about Faith and how she's working to inform others who are also interested in STEM and the arts: