This week’s featured job is an Executive Secretary II for the College of Veterinary Medicine (job posting 1100619). If you are interested in providing support and assistance to the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, this may be the role for you.
The MSU College of Veterinary Medicine prides itself on diversity, innovation, integrity, compassion, and collaboration. Their vision states, “Together we will be the destination for teaching, innovation, care, and service,” with a mission of learning, discovering, healing, and protecting. The Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL), a service unit within the College of Veterinary Medicine, is a full-service and accredited laboratory for companion animals, horses, livestock, laboratory, zoo, and wildlife species. Additionally, the lab performs more than one million tests per year on samples submitted from all around Michigan, the United States, and more than 25 countries.
In this position, you will perform administrative support to the Executive Director of the VDL and interact with chairs, directors, faculty, administrators, professional veterinary organizations, and more. The Executive Secretary represents the VDL and the College of Veterinary Medicine in a professional manner. You will review, direct, and draft responses to the Director’s mail, manage the Director’s calendar, develop meeting agendas, and coordinate routine lab activities. Additionally, you will aid in laboratory operations and help with customer and stakeholder interactions. Find a complete list of responsibilities in the job posting.
This position requires knowledge equivalent to that of a high school education with five to eight years of related work experience. You should have experience working in a laboratory environment with safety and security measures, be collaborative by nature, remain calm under pressure, and have effective written and verbal communication.Â
Learn more on the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory website. To learn more or apply for this position, please visit the MSU Careers website. Applications require a resume/CV, cover letter, and three professional referees and should be submitted by January 13.
This week’s featured job is a Research Assistant II for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (job posting 1098880). If you are interested in working with the MSU Field Crops Pathology Program and assisting with disease-focused field research across Michigan, this may be the role for you.
The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources provides students with an academically challenging environment where they put their knowledge and skills into practice, not only on campus but around the globe. The Chilvers Field Crops Pathology Program, part of the MSU Field Crops Pathology Program, investigates diseases of soybean, corn, wheat, barley, and dry bean—combining field and laboratory research to advance disease management strategies and improve crop productivity. The program uses various new technologies and GPS-guided equipment and works closely with industry and academic collaborators.
In this position, you will work closely with the field and laboratory teams to organize, design, plant, maintain, and harvest field research trials. You will be responsible for collecting and analyzing samples and data, coordinating and conducting disease scouting, plant vigor assessments, and treatment evaluations, among other duties. Find a complete list of responsibilities in the job posting.
This position requires knowledge equivalent to that of a four-year degree, preferably in Plant Pathology, Agronomy, Entomology, or other plant-related fields. You should have three to five years of work experience in overseeing research projects and laboratory operations, operating and maintaining laboratory equipment, performing specialized and challenging analytical techniques, and designing research strategies. Effective communication, organizational, and teamwork skills, along with a commitment to safety and a passion for field-based plant disease research, are desired. Learn more on the MSU Field Crop Pathology website. To learn more about or apply for this position, please visit the MSU Careers website. Applications require a cover letter, resume, three professional references, and two letters of reference, and should be submitted by December 30.
MSU is committed to staff and faculty success, which includes helping employees and their families care for their mental, physical, and emotional well-being. We are excited to share that Calm Health, a mindfulness app designed to support mental and physical health, is now available at no cost to MSU employees and their dependents aged thirteen and older who are enrolled in an MSU health plan. Calm Health is designed to help you stress less, sleep better, and live more mindfully.
What Does Calm Health Offer?
Calm Health includes self-guided programs developed by psychologists to address specific mental health symptoms like anxiety and depression, physical health conditions like diabetes and cancer, and life stages like parenting, retirement, and menopause. Based on your goals and brief in-app screenings, you will receive personalized recommendations to support your health journey. Resources include:
Sleep support to help you unwind 
Guided meditations
Breathing exercises
Calming music and soundscapes
Mindfulness videos
Daily self-guided activities 
Evidence-based clinical programs 
How Can You Access Calm Health? 
No credit card, payment information, or subscription needed! Calm Health is free to all MSU employees, and their dependents (age 13 +) enrolled in an MSU health plan. Start your Calm Health journey through any of these options:
Download the Calm Health App: Search the Calm Health app from the App Store and Google Play and use the access code: “BCBSMI” during the registration process. This code is not case sensitive.
Through Your Blue Cross Member Account: Login to your Blue Cross member account and click on Find Care. Scroll down to Find Behavioral Health Support and click on the Find Help button. Click on the Live and Work Well link. Scroll down to The Calm Health app and click on the Learn about Calm Health link.
Building healthy daily habits that support your mental and physical wellbeing doesn’t have to be time consuming or costly, and Calm Health is the perfect first step. Explore Calm Health for yourself, choose tools that fit your lifestyle, and feel more mindful and balanced every day!
For many, the start of a new year brings a desire to set new goals – both professionally and personally. As you reflect on the past year, try to pinpoint areas you’d like to work on. Check out What’s Your Plan: Six Steps to Align Your Goals with What’s Important to You if you don’t know where to start. You’ll learn how creating a personal strategic plan can provide a “vision and structure for your professional life and an anchor for you to connect with during periods of change.”
Review the common work-related goals below to see if any resonate with you, and use the articles and learning opportunities provided by HR’s Organization and Professional Development (OPD) department to help you reach them.
Improve time management, organization, and/or productivity:
As you think about what you want to work on in the coming year and beyond, consider tying them to your Performance Excellence goals (for support staff). For more information about how to set yourself up for success as you identify goals, check out this When SMART Meets HARD: Setting Goals that Matter article.
This week’s featured job is a Research Assistant III with the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology in the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine (job posting 1098373). If you are an experienced research professional with a passion for molecular biology, immunology, and translational science, and you’re interested in contributing to One Health initiatives, this may be the role for you.
The Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, founded in 1966, is dedicated to discovering new therapies, understanding how toxins affect the body, and preparing the next generation of scientific and healthcare leaders. With a collaborative and innovative environment, the department drives research in drug discovery and development and offers a range of graduate and post-graduate programs that help students build successful careers in many diverse fields.
In this position, you will support ongoing studies within the laboratory with Dr. Andrea Gonzales, where you will carry out research on Th2 cytokines in atopic dermatitis across companion animals and humans. You will study neuro-immune interactions to identify molecular mechanisms underlying atopic disease in the hopes of identifying novel therapeutic targets. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the One Health concept and be a part of the growth in MSU’s drug discovery program. Find a complete list of duties in the job posting.
This position requires knowledge equivalent to a Master’s of Science in Biology, Animal Science, Pharmacology, Toxicology, or a related field, and one to three years of progressively responsible research experience. It is desired to have at least five years of laboratory experience, strong technical expertise, and familiarity with multi-species research models.
This week’s featured job is a Microsoft Office 365 Analyst for MSU Information Technology Services (job posting 1093383). If you are a collaborative, tech-savvy professional interested in maximizing the value of Microsoft 365 tools while driving digital transformation and exploring AI solutions, this may be the role for you.
MSU Information Technology provides the primary leadership for strategic, financial, and policy initiatives affecting IT across Michigan State University. MSU IT and department IT staff offer technology resources that support MSU’s mission of providing education, conducting research, and advancing engagement, supporting staff, faculty, students, alumni, and visitors alike at MSU.
As the Microsoft 365 Analyst, you will help the department transition from siloed to standardized, collaborative digital workflows. You will integrate Microsoft 365 tools, including Teams and SharePoint, into administrative processes, streamline organizational workflows through AI-powered automations, and spread knowledge of underused tools across campus. Additionally, you will enhance Power BI use across departments and collaborate with administrative units across campus. Find a complete list of job duties and responsibilities
This position requires a Bachelor’s degree and three to five years of related work experience with application development, Microsoft 365, and designing, scheduling, implementing, and testing complex applications. You should have strong experience with Office 365 development tools, two years of hands-on experience working with coding and AI tools, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to train and support end-users.Â
To learn more about MSU IT, please visit the MSU Information Technology website. To learn more about or apply for this position, please visit the MSU Careers website. Applications require a resume and cover letter, and should be submitted by December 2.
Ready or not, December is almost here! When you think about the remainder of the year, how do you feel? If thoughts of work deadlines, family get-togethers, or planning for the holidays and new year ahead have you feeling overwhelmed or anxious, you’re not alone. Thankfully, there are practices and resources we can utilize to help us center ourselves and approach this time of year with a healthier mindset. 
When you notice yourself worrying about what might happen, stop and ask yourself, “What can I do about it now?” One way to visualize this is the Sphere of Influence. 
Within the Sphere, there are three areas: 
No Control: If there is absolutely nothing you can do to change or influence a situation, you can only assess whether you can learn from it, then let it go and refocus on something else. This would apply to things like the weather, supply chain issues this season, or flight cancellations. To reduce feelings of worry and improve your well-being, spend minimal time and energy regarding any matters that fall within this area of the sphere. 
Possible Influence but No Control: If there is a step you can take that may influence an outcome, person, or situation, determine what action you can take to maximize that influence, follow through, and then let it go. Resist the temptation to convince yourself that worrying about it means it is within your control. 
Control: If the issue you are wrestling with is completely within your control, then you have control over your decisions, attitude, and behavior. What action can you take that you’ve been putting off? What self-care practice can you initiate to support your well-being? When you practice shifting your focus and attention to what is within your control rather than allowing what is out of your control to consume your time and thoughts, feelings of helplessness and overwhelm decrease significantly. 
Make Yourself a Priority 
When asked why we don’t make our well-being a higher priority, the most common answer is: not enough time. Although we can’t add more hours to the day (No Control area of the Sphere of Influence), we can take actionable steps to better manage our time and carve out space to improve our overall wellness (Control area of the sphere). 
Here are a few ideas to help you focus your energy on areas you can control when it comes to your well-being this time of year. 
Schedule Downtime: Block downtime off on your Outlook calendar like you would for a meeting or other work engagement. 
Set Positive Boundaries: Check out the following articles as a starting point: 
Be Selective: Most of us have an extraordinary number of demands placed on us, and this time of year often brings even more. Before you commit to anything additional, give yourself a little time to consider: Do I really need to do this right now? 
Get Back to the Basics: Consider your current relationship with sleep, physical activity, and eating. What are one or two simple steps you could take to improve your physical health? Even something as small as not having your cell phone next to your bed at night or scheduling short blocks of time on your calendar to stretch at your desk can have a tremendous impact. Ensuring your basic physical needs are met helps ensure a solid foundation for all aspects of your well-being. 
Utilize Your Resources 
One major goal within MSU’s strategic plan is to support the “career development and well-being of staff and faculty at MSU, focusing on creating a best-in-class workplace culture and welcoming environment in which excellence and opportunity thrive.” From one-on-one counseling to self-paced learning opportunities, many resources are available to you as an MSU employee to improve your well-being and take care of yourself this year and beyond. Recommendations to get you started are listed below, along with contact information for specialists at MSU who can provide extra support. 
University Health and Wellbeing: Supports our university community with health and well-being equitably woven throughout all aspects of Spartan life. They offer a variety of resources for employees, including:
Employee Assistance Program (EAP): MSU employees or retirees and their benefits-eligible dependents have access to the EAP, which provides confidential counseling at no cost. To best fit your schedule, EAP offers both virtual and in-person appointments. 
Spartan Resilience Educational Webinars: These webinars transform counseling-based skill-building into accessible media formats. These offerings integrate resilience education into the everyday living, learning, and working spaces of the Spartan community.
Move More @ Work: An ongoing campaign facilitated by University Health and Wellbeing’s Health Promotion and Engagement office. Browse offerings, learn more about on-campus opportunities, and get moving more at work! 
Worklife Wellbeing: Check out the Worklife Wellbeing seminar options to see what you might want to learn more about.
Mindful State: An emerging university-wide, collaborative initiative to help Spartans learn the benefits of mindfulness and access resources to develop or strengthen their mindfulness practices.
elevateU Online Learning Platform: Free, self-paced resources including short videos, online courses, and books around a wide variety of topics. Highlighted topics include: 
HR’s Organization and Professional Development (OPD) Courses: Instructor-led courses offered by the friendly and knowledgeable OPD team. Course dates and times are updated throughout the year, so be sure to check back soon for updated course dates/times! Highlighted courses include (new dates/times coming soon):
This week’s featured job is an Electrical Planner/Inspector/Analyst III for MSU Infrastructure Planning and Facilities (job posting 1093729). If you are an experienced professional with a strong background in electrical systems, project management, and code compliance who is looking to play a crucial role in supporting MSU’s campus infrastructure, this may be the position for you.
MSU Infrastructure Planning and Facilities (IPF) plans, builds, maintains, and beautifies MSU’s physical campus environment in support of its education, research, and outreach missions. The unit’s team of over 1,000 professionals keeps MSU running 24/7/365 by meeting the infrastructure needs and providing expert analysis to support long-term planning goals. Together, they ensure that MSU’s campus remains a safe and inspiring place to work, learn, and grow.
This position plans, designs, directs, estimates, inspects, and analyzes the installation, construction, alteration, operation, and/or repair of very complex mechanical, structural, electrical, environmental, electronic, or computer-based systems in new or existing facilities and projects campus-wide. Other duties include:
Provide expert technical support for project services, maintenance services, management, and skilled trades staff.
Manage complex, multi-craft projects from planning and design through procurement, inspection, and closeout.
Ensure compliance with all applicable codes and standards.
Offer cost-effective design ideas and solutions to help departments meet budget and operational goals.
Prepare detailed drawings, technical reports, cost studies, and assist in material procurement and emergency management.
Engage in high-performing, leading-edge practices that value people, partnerships, and stewardships.
This position requires a degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field, and five to eight years of progressively responsible experience in mechanical construction and construction project management. You should have strong communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills. Find a list of remaining requirements on the job listing.
The end of the year is fast approaching! While you probably don’t need one more task on your to-do list, make sure you’ve used all your 2025 plan year benefits before the year ends.  Â
Schedule appointments for any missed annual check-ups: If you’re behind on annual check-ups or screenings—such as a wellness exam, dental cleaning, or vision exam—consider scheduling appointments before the end of the year. Â
 Be proactive in case of illness: Teladoc is an online medical care service that gives you 24/7 access to a health care professional via the web, phone, or mobile app in minutes. A doctor can even write you a prescription if necessary. Enroll in Teladoc now so you’re prepared when illness strikes.  Available to employees and their dependents who are enrolled in an MSU health plan. Â
Note flexible spending account (FSA) deadlines for 2025 plan year funds: If you are enrolled in a health care or dependent care FSA for the 2025 plan year, you have a grace period in 2026 to use these funds. Be sure to use 2025 plan year funds by March 15, 2026, and submit your receipts by April 30, 2026. If you miss the grace period deadline, the IRS requires you to forfeit any unused funds, so plan your remaining expenses for the coming months. View FSA information. Â
Review your retirement contributions: The IRS sets new retirement contribution limits each year (the 2026 limits will be shared in January). Make sure you’re saving as much as you can by reviewing the 2025 IRS retirement contribution limits and adjusting contributions for the remainder of the year, if needed. Â
Take advantage of special employee discounts for holiday shopping: Visit the MSU Benefits Plus website for deals and discounts on everything from travel and experiences to electronics and toys.
Schedule any vacation/personal PTO: Taking time to rest and reset is important to maintain your health. Make sure you use all your paid time off (PTO) by planning and scheduling your time off in advance with your supervisor’s approval. This year, the full Winter Break (including Christmas and New Year’s holidays) extends from Thursday, December 25, through Friday, January 2. View the Holiday Schedule for more details.Â
Use educational assistance funds: Support staff and academic specialist employees have access to educational assistance funds to use toward professional development opportunities. These funds reset each fall, so don’t miss out. If you’re looking for learning opportunities this year, it’s not too late to sign up for a course offered by HR’s Organization and Professional Development department.   Â
We hope this list will help keep you on track as you plan how you and your family will use your employee benefits for the rest of the year. You can learn more about all these benefit options on the HR website.  Â
This article was updated on November 26 with the 2026 IRS Contribution Limits.
To help us learn more about SECURE 2.0 Act and its new Roth options and requirement for certain Catch-up contributions, we talked to Dan, our Retirement Plan expert. Read our Q and A and review available resources to help you determine whether the Roth Catch-up requirement applies to you, if a new Roth savings option might benefit you, and about an increased savings option for those turning 60-63 in 2026. Â
What is the SECURE 2.0 Act?
Dan: In December 2022, the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Act of 2022 (SECURE 2.0 Act) was signed into law. The retirement legislation includes significant changes that could help strengthen the retirement system and improve Americans’ financial readiness for retirement. Among a few changes, a big one is the Roth Catch-up requirement for certain people.
What is the Roth requirement for Catch-up contributions?
Dan: Starting in 2026, employees turning age 50 or older who earned more than $145,000* in the previous year (2025) must make any age 50 Catch-up contributions as after-tax Roth savings.
* FICA wages found on your Form W-2 Box 3 wages
What are the retirement contribution requirements and options based on my age and income, according to SECURE 2.0 Act?
Dan: Here is a helpful chart to illustrate the new requirements and available options under SECURE 2.0 Act based on your income, age, and whether you make Catch-up contributions:
If you:
Required Action
Available Options
Notes
Earn more than $150,000* AND will be age 64 or older* in 2026
Any Catch-up contributions (up to $8,000*) MUST be after-tax Roth contributions
Make your regular contributions as either pre-tax or after-tax Roth
Catch-up contributions CANNOT be pre-tax
Earn more than $150,000* AND will be ages 60-63* in 2026
Any Catch-up contributions (up to $11,250*, 150% of the standard Catch-up amount) MUST be after-tax Roth contributions
Make your regular contributions as either pre-tax or after-tax Roth
Catch-up contributions CANNOT be pre-tax
Earn more than $150,000* AND will be ages 50-59* in 2026
Any Catch-up contributions (up to $8,000*) MUST be after-tax Roth contributions
Make your regular contributions as either pre-tax or after-tax Roth
Catch-up contributions CANNOT be pre-tax
Earn more than $150,000* AND will be under age 50* in 2026
No required action
Make your regular contributions as either pre-tax or after-tax Roth
Earn LESS than $150,000* AND will be age 64 or older* in 2026
No required action
Make your regular contributions and your Catch-up contributions (up to $8,000*) as either pre-tax or after-tax Roth
Earn LESS than $150,000* AND will be ages 60-63* in 2026
No required action
Make your regular contributions and your Catch-up contributions (up to $11,250*, 150% of the standard Catch-up amount) as either pre-tax or after-tax Roth
Earn LESS than $150,000* AND will be ages 50-59* in 2026
No required action
Make your regular contributions and your Catch-up contributions (up to $8,000*) as either pre-tax or after-tax Roth
Earn LESS than $150,000* AND will be under age 50* in 2026
No required action
Make your regular contributions as either pre-tax or after-tax Roth
Notes:
*Based on the IRS 2026 limits. Ages are based on the age you will be on December 31, 2026.
**Based on 2025 FICA “Social Security wages” from box 3 of the 2025 MSU W-2 Form.
***The current pre-tax contribution and the new after-tax Roth option will be subject to the 2026 IRS limits for both their regular employee contributions (currently $24,500) and the Age 50 Catch-up (currently $8,000).
What are the benefits of contributing to a Roth?
Dan: Unlike traditional pre-tax contributions to a 403(b) or 457(b) account, after-tax Roth contributions allow you to withdraw that money tax free once you retire. So, while you’re still paying taxes on your earnings now, you may enjoy a reduced tax obligation in the future.
Are there downsides to a Roth contribution?
Dan: A couple of considerations include the tax implications and timing requirements. First, Roth contributions are withheld after your taxes are deducted, meaning you will pay more in tax with each paycheck and receive less take home pay. Second, you must wait at least five years after your first after-tax Roth contribution and you must be at least 59 ½ years old to make a tax-free withdrawal.
I am not required to make after-tax contributions, but I’m interested in the opportunity. What do I do?
Dan: Beginning in January, you can log into the EBS Portal and make changes to your 403(b) Supplemental and/or 457(b) Deferred Compensation accounts to move your current pre-tax contributions to the new after-tax Roth option. The 403(b) Base account will remain available only for pre-tax contributions.
I’m turning 60-63 in 2026, and I heard about a new retirement savings option for Catch-up contributions. What’s that?
Dan: If you make Catch-up contributions and you’re turning 60-63 anytime in the calendar year, MSU will begin offering a new option that allows your Catch-up amount to be 150% of the regular Age 50 Catch-up amount.
Once you reach the regular employee contribution limit in your MSU 403(b) Supplemental and/or 457(b) Deferred Compensation accounts, you can add even more to your Catch-up contributions. Based on 2025 IRS limits, you could save $11,250 instead of the regular $7,500 limit for Age 50 Catch-up. The 2026 IRS limits will be announced soon.
Where do I find more information about SECURE 2.0 Act, Roth and MSU’s Retirement Plans?
