Job of the Week Graphic for the Admissions Visit Coordinator with the top of Beaumont Tower in the sun on the right.

Job of the Week: Admissions Visit Coordinator

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This week’s featured job is an Admissions Visit Coordinator/Project/Event Coordinator for the Office of Admissions (job posting 10051016). If you are experienced in event planning, communication, and/or public relations and are interested in a unique way to support students, this may be the role for you.

The Admissions Coordinator assists in the planning, coordination, execution, and evaluation of Admissions programming. You will serve as liaison for key campus constituents who participate in and contribute to admissions programs. This role collaborates with marketing to prepare event publications, evaluations and post-event notes, so event planning experience and attention to detail are desired qualifications. 

In this position, you’ll examine data and current research to evaluate program needs and results and use those findings to help create and execute training for staff participants at campus events. You’ll also maintain inventory levels and order supplies as necessary while acting as liaison between vendors and users to obtain requested materials. Find a complete list of responsibilities in the job posting. 

This position requires a bachelor’s degree in public relations, communication, business, or a related field. Work experience required includes at least one year of related work experience in event planning or admissions and will also require experience in word processing, database, spreadsheet, desktop publishing, and/or presentation software.  Find a complete list of required and desired qualifications in the job posting. 

Learn more about the Office of Admissions here. To learn more or apply for this position, please visit the MSU Careers Website. Applications require a cover letter and resume/CV, and should be submitted by September 8, 2026

Broad art museum at night, lit up from the inside

September Events Round-Up

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September is here and campus has come roaring back to life! If you and your family are looking for activities to kick off the academic year in style, you’ve come to the right place. Check out these upcoming events for you and your family, and use the links below to learn more and register where required.

Campus Events

September 9 – MSU Museum Fall Opening Celebration: Celebrate the start of the fall semester at the MSU Museum from 4:00-7:00 p.m. with the opening of new exhibitions including Reality Check and Gaawii Eta-Go Aawizinoo Gaawiye Mkakoons / It’s Not Just a Quill Box. Register for free!

September 17 – BealFest: Mark your calendars from 4:00-7:00 p.m. for Beal’s annual fall celebration! Details are TBD, but you can count on a fun day full of activities in a beautiful campus space. Check back for updates.

September 18 – MSU Broad Art Museum Fall Opening Party: Join MSU’s Broad Art Museum and MSU Federal Credit Union from 6:00-10:00 p.m. for a museum-wide party that’s perfect for all ages. Check out our newest exhibitions while enjoying live performances, art-making activities—like screen printing your own tote bag—lawn games, and more. Register for free!

September 23 – Beal Footprints: Fall Blooms and Foliage: Join Beal in a walk, exploring the garden as it begins its transition from summer to fall. The event is from 12:10-1:00 p.m. What a great way to spend your lunch break! Register for free!

Ongoing – Spartan Athletics: There are plenty of opportunities to cheer on the Spartans at home events all month, including women’s and men’s soccer, football, field hockey, women’s volleyball, cross country, and women’s golf. Ticket purchases are required for most athletic events.

Learning Opportunities with MSU HR

The following courses are available through the MSU Human Resources Organization and Professional Development team. Register through the EBS Portal using the “Courses for Employees at MSU” tile and leverage your Ed Assist benefit!

September 16 – Bystander Intervention: This one-hour interactive course, meeting virtually from 1:00-2:00 p.m., is designed to provide participants with strategies to prevent and interrupt problematic behavior associated with gender-based discrimination or harassment in the workplace.

September 17 – Roadmap to Retirement: If you are an MSU faculty or staff member and you have decided to retire within a year or two, you may want to consider attending the Roadmap to Retirement class. This half-day workshop, meeting in person from 8:30 a.m. to noon, covers a range of topics critical to your successful retirement.

September 23 – Everything DiSC Agile EQ: Available in person from 8:30 a.m. to noon, this course teaches participants to read the emotional and interpersonal needs of a situation and respond accordingly. Register through the EBS Portal and leverage your Ed Assist benefit!

September 29-October 1 – Getting Things Done: Getting Things Done is a three-day virtual program meeting from 9:00-11:30 a.m. each day, teaching skills to manage the constant flow of requests, tasks, and interruptions that face employees at all levels of an organization.

Greater Lansing Family-Friendly Events

Find dozens of family-friendly events happening in the Greater Lansing area in September and all year long at Lansing.org, where you’ll find farmers markets, festivals, car shows, and more.

September 9-13 – Charlotte Frontier Days: This annual event offers a variety of fun activities including a parade, rodeo, arts and crafts show, and more. View the full festival schedule and plan to check it out!

September 16-19 – Michigan BluesFest: Michigan BluesFest is an annual festival held in Old Town Lansing, bringing people together through the shared love of Blues Music. This festival has been a Lansing staple for over two decades and continues to be a Lansing favorite. Enjoy a weekend of energy, excitement, music, and coming together again as a community, where we can reconnect with old friends and make new ones.

September 17-20 – 517 Hispanic Heritage Weekend: Head to Downtown Lansing for a weekend of culture, community and celebration! All weekend long, Downtown comes alive with events, including a Wellness & Financial Empowerment Seminar, Latin Dance Class & Mixer, and a soulful Jazz Night—activating the corridor with energy, pride, and cultura. View the full schedule and RSVP for free!

September 25 – Movie Night in the Park: Bring your blankets and chairs to Towner Road Park in Haslett to watch a movie, spend time outdoors, and maybe indulge in a food truck treat! Event starts at 6:00 p.m. with the screening starting an hour before sunset.

September 26-27 – Dance by the River Powwow: More than an annual event, the powwow, a free event at Adado Riverfront Park in Lansing, brings Native families, elders, youth, artists, vendors, and community members together to reconnect, build relationships and strengthen cultural ties.

An indigenous family taking a walk on a wooded trail in the fall, without using screens.

Internet Self-Care Day: Try a Digital Detox!

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Phones, laptops, tablets – we all use them, and they have practically become part of us. The internet, social media, and endless online tools can be extremely helpful and effective in our everyday lives, but excessive screen time has become a growing concern. A study published by PubMed Central investigated the effects of reduced smartphone screen time on mental health indicators and concluded that mental health can improve through reduced smartphone use. The Mayo Clinic shares additional benefits of reduced screen time, including improved physical health, more free time, more social connection, boosted mood, and community building. 

There are plenty of ways to stay off your screen and regain your mental and physical well-being. In honor of Internet Self Care Day, we’ve compiled some resources and tricks we can all try to get a break from our screens. 

Slim your screen time – Try Mayo Clinic’s at-home, self-guided program designed to improve your health by reducing screen time over the next two months. Simply complete at least 30 of their 100 suggested activities in the next 60 days. Try their warm and sunny activities as we end summer and move into the cooler weather of fall. 

Commit to a screen-free bedroom – According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, screen time within an hour of bedtime can negatively impact sleep. To help reduce screen time before bed, remove chargers from the bedroom and set up a charging station elsewhere, such as the kitchen. Then find a good book to read and put that in your phone’s place by the bed instead! 

Set limits on your smartphone – Try scheduling downtime, setting screen time limits, or limit certain smartphone applications to help reduce overall screen time. Setting limits before bed or during times when you should be focused on other tasks, like during the workday or family dinnertime, would be a great place to start. Review this article from Apple to schedule downtime on an iPhone, or this article from Google to set up Digital Wellbeing. 

Challenge yourself to an outing without your phone – The Newport Institute shares tips for a digital detox, including planning tech-free activities. Start small and build up over time. Try taking a walk around your neighborhood without your phone. Then try running an errand, going to an appointment, or even going out with friends without your phone. You might find that you don’t miss it as much as you’d think! 

Leverage available mental health resources at MSU – As an MSU employee, you have access to the Employee Assistance Program through University Health and Wellbeing. The Employee Assistance Program offers Michigan State University free, confidential support for mental health, work-life concerns, and life challenges. EAP services are available to faculty, staff, retirees, and graduate assistants, as well as their spouses, partners, and benefits-eligible children.

Your EAP benefit includes one to six sessions of counseling per event. Appointments can be in-person or virtual, and the choice is always yours. The EAP uses a HIPAA-compliant Zoom account to maintain confidentiality for our clients.

Join the conversation and tell us how you’re recognizing Internet Self-Care Day!

Job of the Week: Talent Pipeline Training Program Manager

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This week’s featured job is a Talent Pipeline Training Program Manager for University Advancement (job posting 1155079). If you are a collaborative, detail-oriented, and innovative professional with a background in developing and implementing experiential learning programs, this may be the role for you.

The Training Program Manager is responsible for the planning, coordination, implementation, and continuous improvement of talent pipeline programs designed to introduce and develop future fundraising professionals. This role serves as the central coordinator for program operations and participant development, ensuring a high-quality experience that supports recruitment, onboarding, professional growth, and retention of emerging advancement talent.

In this position, you will partner with University Advancement leaders, subject matter experts, and participating units to create meaningful learning experiences, coordinate program activities, track participant progress, and evaluate program outcomes. You will utilize research and benchmarking of other similar institutions and professional organizations (i.e., CASE, ALN, etc.) to create and implement first-year onboarding and/or probationary success measures. You will also continually improve, envision, and implement new components and assess opportunities to strengthen and expand the onboarding, student internship, and mentoring programs. Find a complete list of responsibilities in the job posting. 

This position requires a bachelor’s degree in educational systems development, instructional technology systems, instructional science, or a related field, along with three to five years of related experience. Advanced degrees and professional fundraising experience are preferred. Experience in developing and implementing experiential learning programs, as well as in designing and implementing internship, onboarding, leadership development, or talent pipeline programs, is also desired. Find a complete list of required and desired qualifications in the job posting. 

Learn more about MSU University Advancement here. To learn more or apply for this position, please visit the MSU Careers Website. Applications require a cover letter and resume/CV, and should be submitted by September 17, 2026.

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New Academic Year, New Professional Development Opportunities

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Fall is almost here, and HR’s Organization and Professional Development (OPD) team has spots open in the following courses to support your learning and development. Class enrollment is completed within the EBS Portal, and employees may use available educational assistance funds toward course fees (if any).

Personal Development

Bystander Intervention Training | September 16 | Virtual  
Learn strategies to prevent and interrupt problematic behavior associated with workplace harassment or discrimination. 

Getting Things Done | September 29 – October 1 | Virtual 
By learning how to capture, clarify, and organize incoming requests, participants are more likely to make strategic decisions about where to invest their time and energy in ways that improve results and decrease missed deadlines, mistakes, and stress. 

The Power of Habit | October 27 | Virtual
Discover how habits are created and how to replace undesirable habits with productive ones.

Breaking Free from Stress | Various Dates | In-Person 
Learn how to be less reactive to people and events in your life and form a deeper perspective of common sense and wisdom.

Roadmap To Retirement| September 17 | In-Person 
If you are an MSU faculty or staff member and you have decided to retire within a year or two, this half-day workshop covers a range of topics critical to your successful retirement.

Everything DiSC: Agile EQ | September 23 | In-Person
Discover your EQ strengths, recognize your EQ potential, and commit to customized strategies for building agility. You will take an assessment to better understand your personal responses to conflict. Pre-work must be completed before taking this course.

Leadership

Strengths Based Leadership | October 29 | In-Person   
Understand manager-specific strengths using the newly released CliftonStrengths for Managers Report. Your top strengths — the things you naturally do best — can help you manage more effectively, meet your goals, and improve your team’s success.

Culture, Connection, and Engagement

Building Awareness and Understanding Using the Intercultural Conflict Style Inventory (ICS) | November 3 and 4 | In-Person
Learn to recognize and effectively respond to cultural differences in communication and conflict styles.

MSU Foundations for Employee Excellence | Various Dates | In-Person
Recognizing that our greatest assets are the talented faculty and staff within our Spartan community, this program provides a highly interactive, creative, and intentional space for meaningful reflection and authentic dialogue to foster a culture of care, respect, and dignity.

Operational Excellence

Introduction to Process Mapping | September 16 | In-Person  
Learn how to define key process improvement terminology, reduce barriers to success, and create a process map.

Promapp Interactive Process Creation | September 23 | In-Person  
Learners will continue their process improvement journey and build upon the knowledge and skills learned in Introduction to Process Mapping.

You can find all current Organization and Professional Development courses on the HR website.

Job of the Week: Laboratory Technologist

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This week’s featured job is a Laboratory Technologist for the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory within the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine (job posting 1151223). If you have a background in laboratory science, enjoy working with animal health and diagnostics, and are interested in supporting veterinary research and care, this may be the role for you.

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 process and test animal and environmental specimens to detect pathological bacteria and fungi. You will identify organisms, perform antimicrobial susceptibility testing, conduct laboratory assays and quality control testing, and enter and retrieve information using the Laboratory Information Management System. You will also communicate with clients and other laboratory personnel, operate and maintain laboratory equipment, and review standard operating procedures. Find a complete list of responsibilities in the job posting. 

This position requires a bachelor’s degree in microbiology, medical technology, clinical laboratory science, or a related field, along with one to three years of related experience in a diagnostic laboratory. MT, CLS, MLS (ASCP), or equivalent certification is preferred. Experience in diagnostic clinical bacteriology, antimicrobial testing, mycology, PCR, quality control, equipment maintenance, customer service, and Laboratory Information Management System is also desired. Find a complete list of required and desired qualifications in the job posting. 

Learn more about the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. To learn more or apply for this position, please visit the MSU Careers Website. Applications require a cover letter, resume/CV, and contact information for three professional references and should be submitted by August 25.

Aerial view of MSU campus in the fall, featuring Beaumont Tower at the center.

From the AVP of HR: Welcome to a New Academic Year!

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Dear Spartan Colleagues,

As the fall semester begins, I want to extend a warm welcome and my sincere appreciation for all you do. Each new academic year brings fresh energy and opportunities, and it also offers a chance to reflect on what makes Michigan State such a remarkable institution.

What defines MSU is the extraordinary work happening every day across our campus and communities across the state and beyond. The education, research, outreach, and service carried out by our faculty and staff continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of countless people, and that is something we can all be proud of.

As we begin a new academic year, we have an opportunity to build on that strength and continue supporting one another. At MSU Human Resources, our focus remains on creating a positive employee experience and fostering a workplace where people feel valued, supported, and empowered to thrive. We are proud of the many interactions we have with the MSU community in person, by phone, or via email, and of the work we do behind the scenes to enhance systems, processes, and policies focused on the employee experience.

Thank you for all you do to strengthen our university community each day. Your dedication, expertise and commitment help make Michigan State University a place where people can learn, grow, and succeed. I wish you a smooth and fulfilling start to the semester.

Go Green!

Donna Donovan, J.D.
Associate Vice President
MSU Human Resources

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Support for Working Parents: Helping Kids Navigate Change

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As we transition from summer vacation to back-to-school season, we know parents and caregivers may need extra support. Whether you’re preparing for a new school year, adjusting to new routines, or helping your child navigate a major milestone, your Cariloop benefit can help1.

Cariloop offers support to help guide kids (and parents) through transitions with emotional awareness, resilience, steady routines, and supportive conversations. Review how the following Cariloop resources may help you this back-to-school season:

  • Join the Cariloop Webinar Backpacks, Bedtimes, and Big Feelings: Support Kids Through Life’s Transitions on August 27. New schools, shifting routines, and fresh faces can spark both excitement and nerves. This talk helps you support children through the moments when life switches gears. You’ll learn how to spot stress early, keep daily rhythms steady, and offer comfort when little ones need extra reassurance. Walk away with ideas that help kids of all ages — and their grown-ups — adapt with more confidence.

  • Use Cariloop for Education and College Support. Did you know a Cariloop Coach can help with more than just finding child care? Connect with a licensed Care Coach for personalized support with the following:
    • IEP/504 meetings 
    • Sourcing tutors 
    • ESL learning 
    • School transfers 
    • College prep 
    • FAFSA/scholarships and grants 
    • Home schooling 
    • Neurodiversity support 
    • Learning challenges 
    • Early intervention 
    • Behavior concerns 
    • Choosing graduate programs 
    • Student loans and financial aid 
    • SAT/ACT/ASVAB 
    • Trade programs and apprenticeships  

  • Use a Care Coach to Find Child Care, After-school Programs, and More. Choosing child care is a big decision. You want care that supports your child’s well-being and development while balancing cost, availability, and schedules. A Cariloop Coach can help you find and compare child care options and then schedule tours or interviews so you can see and evaluate options.

    Here’s an example of how a Care Coach could help:
    • You’ll connect with your Care Coach to share your child care preferences, including location, schedule, cost, and learning approach.
    • Your Care Coach will identify nearby options and review licensing, safety records, cost, and availability for each.
    • Finally, your Care Coach will review the options with you and help schedule tours or interviews.

How to Access Cariloop

Visit the Cariloop website and click Get Started to access your benefit. Follow the prompts and sign up with your work email (you can add a personal email or phone later). Once activated, you have access to Cariloop’s Care Coaches, UrbanSitter caregiver platform, tools, resources, and more. Learn more about your Cariloop benefit on the HR website.

1 MSU benefits-eligible employees have free access to the Cariloop platform, along with 30 days of complimentary access to a Care Coach for support with a paid option to extend coaching beyond 30 days (at employee’s expense). Your 30-day Care Coach benefit renews every calendar year.

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Educational Assistance: Fall Reminders 

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The Educational Assistance, or “Ed Assist,” support staff benefit resets with the start of the fall semester. Now is the perfect time to refresh your Ed Assist knowledge and take advantage of this opportunity for your learning and development. Here are a few important reminders regarding this benefit. 

Credit and Non-Credit Options 

You may receive financial assistance for credit and non-credit courses, including training, seminars, workshops, conferences, or other educational opportunities. Use this benefit to enhance your professional skill set or help you reach Performance Excellence goals. 

For non-credit courses, such as professional development courses offered through HR’s Organization and Professional Development, support staff employees may have up to $900 per year to use toward course registration fees, depending on their union contract. The course must be considered job-related and from an approved institution/program to receive assistance. 

You may receive up to 14 credits per academic year for credit courses. Your level of financial assistance is determined by your union group, whether you’re taking a graduate or undergraduate course, and where you’re taking the course (MSU or another university). The course must be considered job-related, degree-related, or career/professional development-related. 

Taxation Information for Graduate-Level, Degree-Related Coursework 

When using Educational Assistance funds toward graduate-level, degree-related classes for credit, it’s important to remember and plan for IRS tax exemption rules. The Internal Revenue Code (IRC) provides up to $5,250 in exemption per tax (calendar) year for graduate-level, degree-related courses reimbursed/waived through employer educational assistance programs, like the one at MSU. Any amount of the benefit over $5,250 for degree-related, graduate-level courses is considered taxable income by the IRS. 

If you use Ed Assist benefits for graduate-level, degree-related courses for credit over the $5,250 exemption amount, appropriate tax withholding will be made, and the amount will be added to your gross wages. If there is a tax liability, the deductions must be completed within the same calendar year. If this tax situation applies to your Ed Assist usage, you will receive a notification via email in the fall, typically around September. This notification will indicate the amount of Educational Assistance received in the calendar year, the taxable amount, and which paycheck withdrawals will occur to cover the outstanding tax liability. 

Note: This tax liability, dictated by the IRS, applies ONLY to any Ed Assist benefit usage over the $5,250 limit when applied to graduate-level, degree-related courses for credit. For example, if you received $6,250 in eligible Ed Assist benefits in a year, you would only be taxed on the $1,000 over the exemption limit and owe a percentage of that $1,000 as your tax liability. 

Find detailed information about Educational Assistance – including how to apply – on the HR website. Contact Organization and Professional Development at avphr.hrdmail@msu.edu with questions. 

Job of the Week: Pre-Award Research Administrator I

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This week’s featured job is a Pre-Award Research Administrator I for the College of Natural Science (job posting 1150976). If you enjoy organization, collaboration, and are interested in supporting research from proposal to submission, this may be the role for you.

The Michigan State University College of Natural Science (NatSci) is home to 28 departments and programs across the biological, physical and mathematical sciences. The college supports world-class research and education, serving more than 6,000 undergraduate students and 1,200 graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. NatSci is committed to advancing scientific discovery while fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment for learning and innovation.

In this position, you will support faculty throughout the grant proposal process by reviewing sponsor requirements, preparing proposal budgets, assembling application materials, and ensuring submissions meet university and sponsor guidelines. You will coordinate with researchers, university offices and partner institutions to facilitate timely proposal submissions, communicate policies and procedures, and help ensure proposals are accurate and compliant. Find a complete list of responsibilities in the job posting. 

This position requires a bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, or a related field and up to six months of similar or more responsible work experience in research administration in pre or post-award processes or regulatory administration. This role also requires the completion of Essentials of Research Administration (MSU certificate) or equivalent within one year of hire. It is desired that you have experience with the Kuali Research System and budget development. Find a complete list of required and desired qualifications in the job posting. 

Learn more about the College of Natural Science. To learn more or apply for this position, please visit the MSU Careers website. Applications require a cover letter, resume, references, and should be submitted by August 19.