Author: MSU Human Resources

Staycation Activities

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Are you looking for some fun activities for the family this summer, but want to stay local? Check out these East Lansing gems for family fun or date nights.

The Graduate

The Graduate Hotel in East Lansing features the Graduate Rock Bar. This rooftop restaurant is perfect for the whole family or date night. Enjoy their incredible view of MSU campus. The Graduate Rock Bar is open seven days a week and 21+ only after 8 p.m. For more information, click here.

East Lansing Family Aquatic Center

Now open! The East Lansing Family Aquatic Center is the perfect place to soak in the sun with the whole family. The Aquatic Center has a variety of features including a sunbathing deck, drop slide, splash park and more. The Aquatic Center is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week. For more information on rates and passes, click here.

East Lansing Farmers Market

This growers-only market is the perfect place for a Sunday getaway. The market features Michigan products and produce like fruit, cheese, flowers and more. The market is open every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Valley Court Park. For more information, click here.

U Pick Fruit

Fresh Michigan fruit is always a highlight but picking it yourself makes it even sweeter! U Pick farms in-and-around Lansing have a wide selection of blueberries, strawberries, peaches and apples. U Pick Fruit is the perfect excuse to get outside and support Michigan farmers. For more information on U Pick Fruit near you, click here. 

ArtPath Lansing

Lansing Art Gallery and Exhibition is partnering with the City of Lansing for their 6th annual ArtPath. Find sculptures, murals and natural materials along two and half miles of the Lansing River Trail. ArtPath is the perfect interactive and creative summer activity for families. To view the locations for ArtPath 2023, click here. 

River Town Adventures

Looking for a way to cool off without heading to Lake Michigan? River Town Adventures is located in Downtown Lansing and accepts walk-ups/appointments for kayak/canoe rentals. River Town Adventures showcases the beauty of the Grand River and other local waterways. For more information on rentals and their environmental mission, click here. 

Potter Park Zoo

Potter Park Zoo is open 364 days a year and always welcomes visitors to see their wide variety of wildlife. Tickets can be purchased online or in-person, however, members & Ingham County Residents must login prior to making selections to receive discounted rates. For ticket pricing and a list of attractions, click here. 

Fitzgerald Park Disc Golf 
Looking for a new favorite outdoor sport? Fitzgerald Park in Eaton County has its own free disc golf course. If you are in need of equipment, starter set rentals are available with the park’s gate attendant. For more information and a map of the course, click here.

What’s your favorite local activity or destination? Share with us in the comments!

Job of the Week: Advancement Office Coordinator/ Office Coordinator II

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This week our featured job is an Office Coordinator position through the MSU College of Law Office of Advancement (posting 863014). The College of Law has more than 650 students, 55 faculty members, 50 staff members, five librarians, and a world-wide network of some 11,500 alumni. MSU Law is characterized by an open, collaborative environment, a wide range of hands-on learning opportunities, and an exceptional curriculum for students.

This position will serve the College of Law by providing administrative support, managing data and communication projects and assisting with advancement events. The future Advancement Office Coordinator will also provide support for donor identification, manage the college’s endowment and scholarship accounts and assist fundraising staff. Nights and weekends may be required on occasion.

The Advancement Office Coordinator should have one to three years of related work experience and knowledge of the legal field. Top candidates should be able to work well in a dynamic, fast-paced role that regularly interacts with key alumni and supporters of the College of Law and University. It is also recommended that they have high level analytical skills and knowledge of legal databases. 

To learn about the MSU College of Law, visit law.msu.edu. To apply for the position, please submit a resume and cover letter on the MSU Careers Website by July 11. 

July Events Round-Up

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Are you looking for activities for you and your family in the upcoming month? There are events (in-person and virtual) on campus and in the Greater Lansing community. Many events require registration, so be sure to click the links to learn more.

Campus Events

July 13– Beal Botanical Garden Tour: Etymology and the Naming of Plants: Join Beal Botanical Garden’s Program Director for a lunchtime tour to learn about the origin of plant names and the stories behind them. 

Shouldn’t You Be Working? New Exhibition to Open at MSU Broad Art Museum: A new exhibition is on display at the MSU Broad Art Museum, showcasing 100 years of ‘working from home’ in all its various forms. The exhibition is available through December 17 and you can visit for free Wednesday-Sunday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Learning Opportunities

July 6- Visiting scholar talk: Uche Anomnachi, University of Iowa: One of seven visiting scholars, Uche Anomnachi will present their research starting at 12 p.m. Anomnachi, from the University of Iowa, is using the Comic Art collection various stereotyped depictions of Blackness.

July 7- Community-Engaged Scholarship Write-In: This event is targeted at remote workers who find it hard to make time for writing. The focus of this workshop (in-person or on Zoom) is to advance your scholarship and have designated writing time for engagement work. Join University Outreach and Engagement on the first Friday of each month from 9 a.m.-noon.

July 18- Mitigating Bias in Hiring: Learn about the overview of bias in the brain and how to navigate implicit bias throughout the hiring process. This workshop is from 1-2:30 p.m.

July 19- The Power of Habit: Learn how to manage your habits and achieve your long-term performance goals. Available virtually from 8:30-4:30. 

July 19- Introduction to Process Mapping: This workshop will help define key process terminology and introduce common elements in process mapping. This is an in-person event scheduled from 9 a.m.-noon. 

Health and Wellness

July 12- Yoga in Beal Garden II: This second phase of yoga in the Beal Botanical Gardens will work to accommodate a workday schedule and promote being active. Yoga in the Beal Garden will run from July 12- August 16, every Wednesday starting at 12:15 pm. 

July 17- Rest With Music: Abrams Planetarium is hosting their final Rest With Music with live performances to help you relax during a busy work day. The live music will last from 12:10-12:50 p.m. along with an online option via Facebook Live. 

July 19- Nutrition Myths Debunked: Join this Zoom course from 12:00-1:00 p.m. to understand common nutritional myths and how to navigate them in a positive manner.

Family-Friendly Activities

July 1- Family Day: GROW: Stop by the Broad Art Museum from 11:00am-3:00pm. for family fun and creativity along with the theme of “growth.” 

July 20- Water Day- 4 H Children’s Gardens: Come cool off from the summer heat with water games and water art in the garden. This event is $5 per child and is from 10:00am-12:00pm.

Job of the Week: Benefits Customer Service Supervisor / Senior Human Resources Professional I/S

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This week, our featured job is a Benefits Customer Service Supervisor position through MSU Human Resources (posting 874010). MSU Human Resources works to provide strategic human resources expertise, counsel and support services for the MSU Community. 

This position will serve Human Resources by providing timely customer service, answering questions from staff, students and retirees regarding benefits along with testing and rolling out new programs. The future Benefits Customer Service Representative will also coordinate outreach events, supervise the recruitment and hiring process in alignment with MSU’s HR’s Core Values. Find a list of all responsibilities on the MSU Careers Website. 

The future Benefits Customer Service Supervisor should have a four-year degree in Human Resources or a related field, several years of high-performance experience working in a benefits-related position and excellent written and verbal communication skills.

To learn more about MSU Human Resources, visit https://hr.msu.edu/. To apply for the position, please submit a resume and cover letter on the MSU Careers Website by June 27. 

Job of the Week:  Business Manager/Senior Administrative Business Professional

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This week, our featured job is a Business Manager position through the Office of the Registrar (posting 874223). The Office of the Registrar is part of the Department of Enrollment Management and Academic Strategic Planning, which works alongside campus leaders to solicit feedback, develop an academic master plan and assist other colleges with strategic planning.

This position will serve the Office of the Registrar by overseeing budget management, human resources and monitoring personnel policies. The future business manager will also process office expenditures, manage the hiring process full-time and ensure consistency to maintain a positive work environment for all. Find a list of all responsibilities on the MSU Careers website. 

The future Business Manager should possess a four-year degree in a business related field, approximately 5-8 years of relevant experience and strong written/verbal communication skills. It is also preferred that they have experience with union work and the support staff disciplinary process. 

To learn more about Enrollment Management and Academic Strategic Planning at MSU, visit provost.msu.edu. To apply for the position, please submit a resume, cover letter and three professional references on the MSU Careers website by June 27. 

Job of the Week: Technical Aide

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This week, we are featuring a job posting from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources for a temporary Technical Aide position (posting 865050). The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources works to enhance the quality of life for the people of Michigan and the world by advancing knowledge about agricultural needs, natural resources and food systems.

This temporary position is in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife to work with a large crew at two bird-banding stations during fall migration research. They will also maintain consistent data collection, assess the condition of captured birds and work alongside intern data collectors. Find a list of all responsibilities on the MSU Careers Website. 

Candidates applying for this temporary position should possess strong species identification skills and it is preferred that they have relevant experience in banding and identifying eastern landbirds. They will be responsible for assessing the condition of the birds and effectively communicating with visitors and answering questions. This position will go from August 13 to October 20, 2023.

To learn more about the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, canr.msu.edu/fw. To apply for this position, submit a letter of interest detailing relevant experience, a resume and three references familiar with your banding experience here by August 1. 

Deals and Discounts for Father’s Day

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Father’s Day is right around the corner, and if you are still looking to show the dad in your life that you care, look no further than these discounts! Whether it’s your dad, husband, father-in-law or any other important guy in your life, take advantage of these Father’s Day savings using MSU Benefits Plus.

To access all the discounts, visit MSU Benefits Plus and sign up for a free account using your ZPID number (located on your Spartan Card ID badge or in the EBS Portal).

Check out some of these deals that you can find through MSU Benefits Plus:

Sports:

  • Forest Akers Golf Course – MSU employees with a valid MSU ID receive reduced rates on playing and shopping at the two 18-hole championship layout golf courses and two full-service golf shops!
  • Premium Seats USA – Get 10% off sporting event tickets on Premium Seats USA using the code CORESTREAM at checkout!

Technology:

  • HP – Save between 10% and 50% using the HP Employee Purchase Program (EPP), which offers HP’s consumer products at a discounted rate!
  • Apple – MSU employees qualify for preferred pricing on all of Apple’s latest products. This includes employee pricing and ratings and reviews on accessories and software. Order from the online Apple EPP store and identify yourself as a Corestream member when purchasing!

Shopping and Entertainment:

  • AMC Theaters – MSU employees can save over 30% on E-tickets at AMC Theaters and all associated theaters including AMC Loews, AMC Showplace, Cineplex, Odeon, Magic Johnson and Star Theaters!
  • MSU Meat Lab – MSU employees with a valid MSU ID can receive a discount on quality meats and other items right on campus!
  • Stock Yards – Save 20% on gourmet steaks, chops, and seafood by using the code CSTREAM at checkout!

Find these savings as well as many other benefits by visiting the MSU Benefits Plus portal. Sign up or log in today and have a fun, family-filled Father’s Day.

Job of the Week: Healthcare Recruiter

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This week, we are featuring a job posting from the Office of Health Sciences for a faculty Healthcare Recruiter (posting 870779). The Office of Health Sciences catalyzes the efforts of all health sciences across Michigan State University by promoting health through patient care, education and research. 

This position will operate within the health sciences clinical departments in collaboration with the Deans and Department Chairs of the College of Human Medicine, College of Nursing and College of Osteopathic Medicine to identify, recruit and hire faculty. They will also work with department heads to evaluate employment offers, work with MSU HR to ensure competitive marketplace positioning and collaborate with business partners to issue offers and contracts. Find a list of all responsibilities on the MSU Careers Website. 

The future Healthcare Recruiter should possess strong interpersonal skills and have at least five years of experience in healthcare recruitment. It is preferred that they have 1-2 years of experience in physician/provider recruitment. 

To learn more about the Department of Health Sciences, visit healthsciences.msu.edu. To apply for this position, submit a letter of interest and resume here by June 13. 

Teresa K. Woodruff, MSU Interim President, speaking during the ceremony with the quote, "We celebrate 552 employees and 201 retirees. That's a combined total of 12, 825 years of service represented in this group.

Congratulations to the Service and Retirement Recognition Program Award Recipients!

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The MSU Service and Retirement Recognition Award recognizes support staff employees celebrating a 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, or 55th work anniversary or a retirement falling between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2022.

On May 15, we recognized over 750 employees celebrating long-term work anniversaries and retirements during an awards ceremony at the Kellogg Center. Our university’s development and growth have been, in large part, due to the contributions made by its staff members, particularly those who have chosen to remain in the service of the university. This occasion was dedicated to those who have served the university through the years of its greatest development. It is a tribute to those who have found satisfaction in helping others and creating an impact for a better world.

  • Teresa K. Woodruff, Interim MSU President, addressing award recipients during the ceremony.
    Teresa K. Woodruff, Interim MSU President, addresses award recipients during the ceremony.
  • Christina K. Brogdon, Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, addressing award recipients during the ceremony.
    Christina K. Brogdon, Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, addresses award recipients during the ceremony.
  • Scott Pohl from WKAR announced award recipient names during the ceremony.
    Scott Pohl from WKAR announced award recipient names during the ceremony.
  • Jody Knol from WKAR announced award recipient names during the ceremony.
    Jody Knol from WKAR announced award recipient names during the ceremony.
  • Scott Pohl, Teresa K. Woodruff, and Jody Knol standing next to each other.
    (left to right) Scott Pohl, Teresa K. Woodruff, and Jody Knol.
  • Three award recipients talking and enjoying the reception after the ceremony.
    Award recipients enjoying the reception after the ceremony.
  • Sparty posing with two award recipients during the reception.
    Sparty joined the celebration and took photos with award recipients.
  • Two award recipients laughing while sitting at a table.
    Award recipients enjoying the reception after the ceremony.
  • Three award recipients smiling and posing for a picture.
    Award recipients enjoying the reception after the ceremony..
  • Teresa K. Woodruff, MSU Interim President, with Del Bracamontes, Event Organizer
    (left to right) Teresa K. Woodruff, Interim MSU President with Del Bracamontes, HR Executive Staff Assistant and organizer of this event.

Thank you to photographer Dane Robison for taking beautiful photos during the ceremony! All photo credits: Dane Robison/TimeFramePhoto

MSU Interim President, Teresa K. Woodruff, and Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Christina K. Brogdon, acknowledged award recipients and expressed their gratitude during the ceremony. Please review this year’s awards program and watch a recording of the event below.

Please note the recording of the ceremony portion of the event starts at 27:50.

You may also view the event on YouTube.

The university thanks these awardees for their talent, passion, loyalty, and contribution to our shared purpose. If you see a colleague’s name in this year’s awards program, be sure to reach out and offer them congratulations!

We’d also like to give a special thank you and congratulations to HR’s own Del Bracamontes, who is the organizer of this event and also celebrating a 25-year work anniversary!

Melissa Woo, Christina K. Brogdon, Teresa K. Woodruff, Sarah Ellis, and Ray Gasser.

Congratulations to Sarah Ellis, the 2023 Ruth Jameyson “Above and Beyond” Award Recipient!

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Congratulations to this year’s winner of the Ruth Jameyson “Above and Beyond” Award, Sarah Ellis! This award honors a support staff employee who goes “above and beyond” in their job at MSU while pursuing a graduate degree concurrent with their employment. Sarah is the Admissions and Academic Services Manager for the Eli Broad College of Business MBA Program. She has been with MSU for 6 years and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Customer Experience Management from Michigan State University.

Sarah’s leaders and colleagues have this to say about her:

“Sarah is a talented, dedicated, and thoughtful team member, who consistently goes above and beyond to help students, colleagues, faculty, and staff both in her unit and across campus. She is known as a reliable, highly competent professional who is patient, kind, organized, and reliable. Sarah can always be counted on to do her job with effective excellence.”

“There is no better example of Sarah’s ‘above and beyond’ approach than the work she did to support our students, staff, and faculty during COVID. She coordinated multiple, diverse tasks while we were constantly shifting and adjusting our work as circumstances warranted. Sarah was a key ingredient to our ability to be successful.”

“Sarah is ultimately responsible for elevating all our internal processes, and our outward-facing communications, events, and corporate relationships—beyond the highest of MSU’s standards. Her time in the EMBA program has resulted in consistent climbs in our rankings and uncountable word-of-mouth referrals. I cannot imagine a more deserving leader at MSU than Sarah Ellis for this award, and I would love to see the recognition that all her long hours have contributed towards.”

Watch a video of Sarah finding out she won the Ruth Jameyson Award below or on YouTube:

The Awards Ceremony

  • Colleagues, friends, and family gathered to honor Sarah Ellis, Ruth Jameyson Award winner, and the Jack Breslin Award recipients.
  • (Left to Right) Melisa Woo, Christina K. Brogdon, Teresa K. Woodruff, Sarah Ellis, and Ray Gasser
  • Sarah Ellis (left) talking with Interim MSU President Teresa K. Woodruff during the reception.
  • Award table for Sarah Ellis with family photos.
  • The Jack Breslin and Ruth Jameyson Award Winners, (left to right) Kaye Bucher, Heather Lenartson-Kluge, Randy Klevickas, Coreena Spitzley, Sarah Ellis, James Lee Williams, and Megghan Seidel.

Thank you to photographer Dane Robison for taking beautiful photos during the ceremony! All photo credits: Dane Robison/TimeFramePhoto

On May 15, Sarah was honored at an awards ceremony at the Kellogg Center for the Ruth Jameyson and Jack Breslin award winners. MSU Interim President, Teresa K. Woodruff, Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Christina K. Brogdon, Executive Vice President for Administration, Melissa Woo, and Award Selection Committee Chairman, Ray Gasser acknowledged Sarah’s hard work and expressed their gratitude during the ceremony. A recording of the event is available below or on YouTube:

About the Ruth Jameyson “Above and Beyond” Award

This annual award recognizes a support staff member who most closely exemplifies the contributions, personal characteristics, and commitment to MSU demonstrated by Ms. Jameyson, going “above and beyond” what is reasonably expected to support the mission of MSU. In recognition of Ms. Jameyson’s own pursuit of a graduate degree while working at MSU, the award recipient must be pursuing a graduate degree at MSU or elsewhere concurrent with their employment at MSU.

Ms. Ruth Jameyson, who died in 2007 at the age of 100 years, served as the secretary to MSU President Robert S. Shaw from 1938 to 1941 and secretary/administrative assistant to President John A. Hannah from 1941 to 1969. She served as both greeter and gatekeeper to the numerous students, faculty and staff seeking to meet Dr. Hannah, as well as dignitaries from around the globe. Ms. Jameyson accepted roles and responsibilities far beyond her formal job description. Having arrived in Lansing with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Coe College, Iowa, Ms. Jameyson pursued a master’s degree in economics at MSU while working full-time.

This award has been created and funded by friends of Ruth Jameyson; Barbara Sawyer-Koch, MSU trustee emerita, and Donald F. Koch, MSU professor emeritus.

Thank you to Cheeney Media Concepts for all video recordings. All video credit: cmc2.tv