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Job of The Week: Digital Accessibility and Imaging Assistant

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

This week’s featured job is a Digital Accessibility and Imaging Assistant (Library Assistant IV) for MSU Libraries (job posting 1092720). If you are a detail-oriented professional interested in managing projects that convert scanned materials into fully accessible resources while investigating new AI-powered solutions, this may be the position for you.

The Libraries are at the center of academic life at Michigan State University, where they provide expertise, collections, and infrastructure for discovery and creation. The Libraries foster connections that support and drive research, teaching, and learning in local and global communities surrounding MSU. The Digital Initiatives Division serves as the administrative home to eight units and centers. Learn more about the MSU Digital Initiatives Division here. 

As the Digital Accessibility and Imaging Assistant, you will manage projects that convert scanned materials into fully accessible digital resources. You will operate planetary, flatbed, and slide scanners, including handling rare and fragile materials with preservation care. Additionally, you will produce accessible PDFs and alternative formats using tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Acrobat, ABBYY FineReader, and more. You will test and apply AI tools for alt-text, tagging, and document structuring, and create training materials that meet MSU Libraries’ highest standards of accessibility. Find a complete list of job duties and responsibilities.

This position requires a degree (or equivalent knowledge) and one to three years of recent experience in an academic library setting. You should have a strong understanding of digital accessibility standards (WCAG, Section 508, PDF/UA, etc.), be comfortable with image editing software, and have the ability to manage multiple projects at a time. You should have strong attention to detail, communication skills, and a passion for exploring and using AI tools to succeed in this role. 

To learn more about MSU Libraries, visit the MSU Libraries Website. To learn more about or apply for this position, please visit the MSU Careers website. Applications require a cover letter, resume, and three references and should be submitted by November 18.

Arial view of campus in autumn, with Spartan Helment.

October Events Round-Up

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October Events Blog 

If you and your family are looking for activities this October,  you’ve come to the right place! Check out upcoming events to celebrate fall in the Greater Lansing area! Visit the links below to explore upcoming events and register if required. 

Campus Events

October 1-31– MSU Benefits Open Enrollment: Open Enrollment is your annual opportunity to review your coverage options and ensure you have the benefits that are best for you and your family as you head into the new year. Learn more on the HR Website and plan to visit the Benefits Fair on October 21 or one of the several Site Labs available throughout October.

October 1 – Artist Talk: Pao Houa Her: Think of a favorite picture of yours. What story does it tell? Join artist Pao Houa Her for a conversation on artistic practice and legacies of landscape, portraiture, and documentary photography.

October 2 – The Great Gatsby Ballet: Dance into the Roaring Twenties with this dazzling Broadway-style ballet presented by the World Ballet Company at the Wharton Center. Dress to impress, raise a glass, and immerse yourself in a night of elegance and dance. 

October 3 – MSU’s 2nd Annual Disability Summit Keynote Speaker: This year’s summit will be a half-day event featuring keynote speaker Haben Girma, a disability advocate and author. In-person attendance is full, but you can watch the keynote virtually by registering for the Disability Summit!

October 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31 – Disability Summit Virtual Sessions: Register for webinars by 8 a.m. on the day of the presentations.

October 4 – Fall Fest: Stop by the MSU Surplus Store and Recycling Center for pumpkin carving, thrifting, tours, upcycle crafts, music, and more!  

October 11 and 25 – MSU Home Football Games: Let’s cheer on the Spartans as they take the field at Spartan Stadium. Whether you’re in the stands, attending a tailgate, or watching the game nearby from a local sports bar. There are two home games in October. 

October 14 – Film Screening and Discussion: Join your fellow Spartans to watch “Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act,” a documentary that explores the history, impact, and ongoing significance of the ADA and the disability rights movement.

October 21 – MSU Benefits Fair: MSU benefit providers and MSU HR staff will be available to answer questions and help employees and retirees enroll in or change their benefits on-site at the Breslin Student Events Center. During the fair, Humana and Personify Health will be offering presentations about their health care plans for current and future (within the 2026 plan year) MSU retirees. 

October 22 – Beal Footprints Walking Tour Series: Join Beal Botanical Garden and Campus Arboretum for lunchtime guided tours beginning at the Beal Pond. October’s tour is Riverbank restoration and clean-up; Carolyn Miller, Arboretum & Invasive Species Coordinator. 

October 24-25 – Alex’s Great State Race: Mark your calendars! Alex’s Great State Race returns— uniting two rival universities, MSU and U-M, as ROTC cadets run 64 miles through the night, honoring the legacy of Alex Powell, while supporting individuals with disabilities, celebrating a Great Race and Greater Purpose.

October 26 – ArachnoBROADia: The MSU Broad Art Museum is hosting a spooky afternoon of eight-legged fun for all ages, inspired by artwork from the MSU Broad Art Museum’s collection! Get creative with creepy crafts at the museum, then visit your favorite crawly creatures at the MSU Bug House. All ages are welcome.

October 30 – Accessibility Work-a-thon: A walk-in event will take place in the Main Library Beaumont Instruction Room, where faculty and staff can work on improving the digital accessibility of their videos, documents, and other materials. Accessibility team members from OCR, IT, Ed Tech, and the Libraries will be available to assist, answer questions, and provide consultation.

Learning Opportunities

October 8 – TIAA Webinar: Quarterly Economic and Market Update: Hear from the experts in our Wealth Chief Investment Office about key drivers of the markets and economy that are impacting investors.

October 9 – Facilitated Dialogue on Cultural Competency: This participant-led course invites participants to engage in further discussion around topics related to cultural competency. While facilitators will share prepared prompts to start dialogue, participants are also welcome and encouraged to bring topics, questions, and ideas for dialogue. 

October 9 – Roadmap to Retirement: 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.

October 15 – TIAA Webinar: Avoiding Cybersecurity Threats and Fraud: The frequency and format of scams are increasing. Learn how to protect your information and your financial future.

October 16 – Strengths-Based Leadership: Looking to maximize your strengths and become a stronger leader? Understand manager-specific strengths using the CliftonStrengths for Managers Report in this in-person course. 

October 17 – Broad Underground: Black Experimental Moving Image: How can Black experiences be represented in experimental film, video, and new media? Join Emily Martin, distribution manager at the Video Data Bank, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, for a curated screening and discussion. This event is in partnership with the MSU Department of African American and African Studies. 

October 23 – Bystander Intervention Training: This course is designed to provide participants with strategies to prevent and help in problematic behavior associated with workplace harassment or discrimination. 

October 30 – TIAA Webinar: Planning and Managing Healthcare Expenses: Healthcare costs can really add up in retirement. That’s why it pays to be prepared. In this webinar, we’ll help you separate myth from reality when it comes to managing costs for a healthy financial future.

Family-Friendly Events

October 4 – Family Day: The First Saturday of the month means Family Day at the MSU Broad Art Museum, and this October, you have the chance to connect through materials and ideas in celebration of Africa Past, Present, and Future. 

Select Dates in October – Fall Family Film Fest: Bring the whole family to NCG Cinemas this fall for all of your favorite fall movies! 

October 18 – Spooky Sprint: You and your whole family have the chance to run the annual Spooky Sprint this October! This fun Halloween-themed event offers great swag, free photos, delicious treats, and plenty of fun. There is also a kids’ dash option for those under 10, so everyone can participate. 

October 20 and 27 – Sensory Friendly Hour at Bath Township Library: On the third and fourth Mondays of each month, visit the Bath Township Library for sensory-friendly hours. Staff will dim the lights, provide sensory-friendly toys, fidgets, and noise-canceling headphones for those seeking a calming environment in which to explore books. 

October 31 – Trick or Treat: Join us on the last night of Jack O’ Lanterns Unleashed on Halloween night for a time of free trick or treating at the Ingham County Fairgrounds.

Greater Lansing Area Events

October 3 – The Best of The Best: Jazz From Detroit: Jazz from Detroit Documentary Film is a landmark double portrait of Detroit’s extraordinary jazz legacy and the dynamic city that produced it. Film starts at 6:30 p.m. with doors opening at 6:00 p.m.

October 4 – Horrocks Biergarten Oktoberfest:  Visit Horrocks Biergarten to celebrate this year’s Oktoberfest! There will be beverages, food, and the Katzenjammer German Band will also be performing. 

October 15 – Vintage Tuck Fall Bounty Paint Class: Visit Grand Ledge for a pre-traced canvas painting event with themed trivia, prizes, and more!

October 15 – Harvest Festival: Count on the Allen Farmers Market for fresh produce from mid-Michigan farms, the highest quality meat, artisan baked breads, gluten-free goods, eggs, and more at this year’s Harvest Festival at the Allen Neighborhood Center. 

October 17 – Howloween: Dog Trick-or-Treating: For over 25 years, Dog Trick-or-Treating at Preuss Pets has been the howl-o-ween event you don’t want to miss, and it’s back! The fun starts at Preuss Pets, where participants will receive a bag full of goodies!

October 18 – Old Town Fall Clean Up: Help keep Old Town looking its best! Join neighbors, volunteers, and friends as we come together to beautify the Old Town neighborhood before winter sets in. Tools will be provided, but feel free to bring your own gloves, rakes, or equipment that you find helpful. All ages are welcome to volunteer! 

Select Weekends in October – Boo at the Zoo: This Halloween season, see the Potter Park Zoo transform into a fall wonderland that will leave you and your family spellbound. Grab your treat bags and get ready to make memories that will last this fall. 

Farmers Markets

Beginning October 5 – The East Lansing Farmers Market: Visit Valley Court Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Sunday in October for some shopping and fresh air at the East Lansing Farmers Market (ELFM). Here, you can purchase a variety of fresh goods, farm-grown in Michigan, including vegetables, fruits, bread, cheese, honey, flowers, and more. 

Beginning October 6 – Downtown Dewitt Farmers Market: Come to the Downtown Dewitt Farmers Market for an evening of exploring small businesses, home-grown foods, treats, and more! Every Tuesday in October, join from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. for some shopping, food trucks, and fun in Downtown Dewitt.

Beginning October 2 – South Lansing Farmers Market: The South Lansing Farmers Market is open on Thursdays and located at the corner of Jolly and S. MLK in Lansing. Stop by for farm-fresh fruits and veggies, fresh-cut flowers, arts and crafts, natural body and household products, and a food court featuring Mexican, Chinese, Lebanese, and Southern Soul cuisine – a little something for everyone! 

Beginning October 2– Dimondale Farmers Market: The Dimondale Farmers Market will run every Thursday in the Village Square. The Market is celebrating their 18th season and hosts over 15 vendors providing locally produced products, including fruits, vegetables, chicken, fish, jams, honey, flowers, and more!

All programs and activities are open to all without restriction or preference based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, national origin, or other protected identity.

Autumn Leaves

September Events Round-Up

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

If you and your family are looking for activities in September,  you’ve come to the right place! Check out upcoming events to celebrate the start of fall! Visit the links below to explore upcoming events and register if required. 

Campus Events

September 3, 10 and 17 – Move in the Garden:  Need a midday recharge? Stop by under the gingko tree at the Beal Botanical Garden with a yoga mat or towel, and refresh your body and mind through this stretching and strengthening class. This free session is designed for all ability levels. 

September 7 – Curator Tour: Unbecoming: Join Assistant Curator Dr. Rachel Winter at the MSU Broad Art Museum to learn more about what an artist’s process teaches us about transformation in our personal lives. 

Opening September 14 – Mekong Voices: Transnational River Justice in Mainland Southeast Asia: Open until February at the MSU Broad Art Museum, the Mekong Voices exhibit displays the Mekong River, which is revered as the “Mother River” across Mainland Southeast Asia. Mekong Voices celebrates the necessary and innovative work of traditional craft and art in translating the river’s voices, both human and more-than-human, across national and linguistic boundaries.

September 16-21 – A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical: Coming to the Wharton Center, A Beautiful Noise is the uplifting true story of the life of Neil Diamond shining on Broadway. 

September 28 – Shape Shift: The Art of Coming Undone: This three-part studio series at the MSU Broad Art Museum invites you to explore transformation through art. No previous art experience required – just a willingness to explore, reflect, and reimagine! 

Learning Opportunities

September 2 and 9 – Desk Decompress: This virtual 15-minute class offers the perfect mid-day reset. Stretch and strengthen your wrists, neck, spine, and shoulders, all from the comfort of your own desk. 

September 9, 10, and 11 – Getting Things Done: This course teaches skills to manage the constant flow of requests, tasks, and interruptions that face employees at all levels of an organization. Learn how to organize incoming requests, manage stress in the workplace, prevent missed deadlines, and enhance your personal development at work. 

September 10 – Promapp, Interactive Process Creation: Continue your process improvement journey and build upon the knowledge and skills learned in Introduction to Process Mapping. 

September 10 – Hunger Free and Basic Needs: MSU Meets the Food and Nutrition Needs of Students and Staff:  Join MSU Nutrition Services and MSU Food Bank and Basic Needs Program staff to explore the resources available to support food and nutrition needs on campus. Learn how you can access help and help others. Register for Hunger Free and Basic Needs via Learning Stream.  

September 10 – Women Talk Money: How to balance saving and tackling debt: Join this webinar with MSU retirement vendor, Fidelity, for a step-by-step guide that will help you learn how to organize your financial priorities. 

September 10 – Fidelity Front Row 2025: Join Fidelity to listen to the Active Trader Pro beta team, a live Q&A, a special giveaway, and timely insights. 

September 11 – Tips for working with a financial professional: Having a financial professional supporting you on every step of your journey is key to creating a secure financial future. In this webinar, learn about how a financial professional can help you and how to find a financial professional and prepare for your first meeting.

September 17 – Women Talk Money: What you should know about investing: Investing may help you reach your short- and long-term goals, but sometimes it’s hard to know where to start, what questions to ask, or what step to take next. Join Fidelity to learn more about different investment options and management styles that can help you decide how to keep your goals on track.

September 17 – Maximize Your Concur and Travel Skills: Recommended for new employees, learn how to understand the Concur system, create a travel request, book travel, reconcile travel expenses, and more. 

September 18 – The Power of Habit: Learn how habits are created and how to replace undesirable habits with productive ones. You will learn how to spot your habit loop, turn bad days into good data, and create habits that get the results you want.

September 25 – How to get the most from your employee retirement plan: Your workplace retirement plan is one of your most important employee benefits. In this webinar we’ll show you how to take advantage of all your plan has to offer so you can save and invest with confidence and get the most from your money.     

Family-Friendly Events

September 12-14 – 2025 MSU Family Weekend: Visit Michigan State University’s campus this weekend in September to enjoy a football game, visit your Spartans and the beautiful campus, and explore the Greater Lansing area! Check out the Choose Lansing website for help with lodging, tickets for the game, and parking information. 

September 11 – Chipmunk Story Time: Storytime comes alive at the Harris Nature Center Chipmunk Story Time event. Meet Chicory Chipmunk and his animal friends. 

Recurring Fridays and Saturdays – Toddler Time at Launch Lansing: Visit Launch Lansing Trampoline Park during select times to enjoy children’s music, visits from Joey the kangaroo, and a special toddler section with your little ones. 

September 20 and 21 – Capital City River Run: This year marks the 32nd anniversary of the Capital City River Run, a two-day event that includes a half-marathon, 5k walk/run, and the Sohn Kid’s Race. All proceeds will support the Impression 5 Science Center and its mission to provide families with hands-on science exhibits and learning opportunities. 

Greater Lansing Area Events 

Wednesdays in September – Meridian Township Summer Concert Series: Savor the last bit of summer weather and visit Marketplace on the Green for the Meridian Township Summer Concert Series! Visit the website to see who is playing and when, every Wednesday in September.

September 17-20 – 2025 Michigan BluesFest: Michigan BluesFest is an annual event held in Old Town Lansing, bringing people of all ages together through the shared love of Blues Music. 

September 19-21 – Lansing LIT:  Join the city of Lansing for the second annual Lansing LIT book festival! Explore local bookstores, author events, a bookstore crawl, and more at Michigan’s capital city. 

Farmers Markets

Beginning September 7 – The East Lansing Farmers Market: Visit Valley Court Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Sunday in September for some shopping and fresh air at the East Lansing Farmers Market (ELFM). Here, you can purchase a variety of fresh goods, farm-grown in Michigan, including vegetables, fruits, bread, cheese, honey, flowers, and more. 

Beginning September 2 – Downtown Dewitt Farmers Market: Come to the Downtown Dewitt Farmers Market for an evening of exploring small businesses, home-grown foods, treats, and more! Every Tuesday in September, join from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. for some shopping, food trucks, and fun in Downtown Dewitt on a warm summer night. 

Beginning September 4 – South Lansing Farmers Market: The South Lansing Farmers Market is open on Thursdays and located at the corner of Jolly and S. MLK in Lansing. Stop by for farm fresh fruits and veggies, fresh cut flowers, arts and crafts, natural body and household products, and a food court featuring Mexican, Chinese, Lebanese, and Southern Soul food – a little something for everyone! 

Beginning September 4 – Dimondale Farmers Market: The Dimondale Farmers Market will run every Thursday in September in the Village Square. The Market is celebrating their 18th season and hosts over 15 vendors providing locally produced products, including fruits, vegetables, chicken, fish, jams, honey, flowers, and more!

Campus in the spring.

August Events Round-Up

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

If you and your family are looking for activities in August,  you’ve come to the right place! Check out upcoming events for you and your family to savor the summer season! Visit the links below to explore upcoming events and register if required. 

Campus Events

August 2 – Family Day: UNDO: First Saturday means Family Day at the MSU Broad Art Museum. This month, we are making art in reverse – playing with materials and the ways things can come together after being apart. 

August 6 – MSU Summer Carillon Concert Series: Bring a picnic, chair, or blanket to Beaumont Tower to experience musical talent in one of the most beautiful locations on MSU’s campus. Don’t miss the last show of the season!

August 10 – Garden Edition: Deep-Rooted with Beal Botanical Garden: Join Applied Ethnobotanist and Education Director of the Beal Botanical Gardens, Maeve Bassett, to learn about the social, historical, and political narratives within plants in the garden and artwork in the MSU Broad Art Collection.

August 29 – First Michigan State Home Football Game: Visit Spartan Stadium to cheer on the Spartans for the first game of the year against the Western Michigan Broncos! 

Learning Opportunities

August 5 – Free Webinar – Unlock the Power of a Multigenerational Workforce: Professor Eileen Wilson from the Broad College of Business is leading a webinar where you will gain insights into the cultures of generations in the workplace and leave with five strategies to connect bridges and boost collaboration within your team. 

August 14 – TIAA Webinar – Your Guide to Living Well in Retirement: Reserve your spot now to learn more about retirement and the human factors that can help you add excitement to the next chapter of your life. 

August 21 – Maximizing the Spartan Experience:  In this interactive session, learn how you, as an MSU employee, can strengthen colleague relationships and strengthen customer service. This training is ground in real MSU scenarios, team examples, and self-reflection. 

August 21 and 22 – 2025 Fall Educator Seminars: Join MSU IT Educational Technology, MSU Libraries, the Center for Teaching and Learning Innovation (CTLI), the Enhanced Digital Learning Initiative (EDLI), and MSU IT Training at the virtual 2025 Fall Educator Seminars. These free courses are offered  to help prepare educators for the upcoming school year.

August 21- Identify and Maximize Your Strengths: Part 2 Unlock the Full 34: In this series, you have the opportunity to learn identify personal talents through the CliftonStrengths Full 34 Report, evaluate how these talents impact work relationships and performance, and determine how to develop further natural talents through the given tools.

August 27 – Introduction to Process Mapping: Learn how to define key processes improvement technology, create a process map, and reduce barriers in process mapping.

August 28 – Bystander Intervention Training: This course is designed to provide participants with strategies to prevent and help in problematic behavior associated with workplace harassment or discrimination. 

August 28 – TIAA Webinar – Your Guide to Understanding Longevity:  During this webinar, learn about challenges and opportunities that come with increased longevity, how it affects retirement and financial planning, and how to maintain wealth and happiness. 

Family-Friendly Events 

August 4 and 11 – Sensory Friendly Hour at Bath Township Library: On the third and fourth Mondays of each month, visit the Bath Township Library for sensory-friendly hours. Staff will dim lights, provide sensory-friendly toys, fidgets, and noise-canceling headphones for those seeking a calming environment to explore books. 

August 21 – Disney Trivia: If you can quote Disney movies by heart, know every song by memory, or are a casual fan of Mickey Mouse, now is the perfect opportunity to test your Disney knowledge at High Caliber Karting Disney Trivia Night!  

August 24 – Picnic with Princess: Elsa, Rapunzel, Ariel, Moana, and Belle invite you to join them for a fairytale celebration! Families can bring their own blankets and lunches and enjoy interactive performance, activities, and photo opportunities with the princesses.

Greater Lansing Area Events 

Select dates in August – Lansing Lugnuts Home Games: “Go Nuts” and cheer on your local Lansing Lugnuts baseball team at Jackson Field this month! Check out their website for themes, promotions, tickets, and dates for August games.

July 30 – August 3 – 2025 JazzFest Michigan: Visit Old Town Lansing for JazzFest Michigan – a music festival that has been going on over 30 years! Between four venues and five days, the music possibilities are endless for you and your family to see live. 

August 1 and 15 – Glow Paddle Night Kayaking: Come and watch the Lansing Lugnuts post-game fireworks show from the river at Glow Paddle Night! Kayaks are available for rent, or you can bring your own! 

August 5, 12, 19 and 26 – Sunset and Chill:  Bring yourself and the family to Charlotte to enjoy free live music on the brand new music wagon stage, take a ride on the Whiskey Wagon and watch the sunset!  

August 23 – A Night For Nature: Bring a comfy chair, a beverage of choice, and your friends for a night of music under the stars at the Harris Nature! All proceeds from the event will support Harris Nature Center’s educational programs and facilities.  

August 20 – Tomato Festival: Celebrate tomato season at the Lansing Tomato Festival! From cooking demos to entertainment and tasting, this is an experience you won’t want to miss.

Farmers Markets

Beginning August 3 – The East Lansing Farmers Market: Visit Valley Court Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Sunday in August for some shopping and fresh air at the East Lansing Farmers Market (ELFM). Here you can purchase a variety of fresh goods, farm-grown here in Michigan, including vegetables, fruits, bread, cheese, honey, flowers, and so much more. No registration needed. 

Beginning August 6 – Downtown Dewitt Farmers Market: Come to the Downtown Dewitt Farmers Market for an evening of exploring small businesses, home-grown foods, treats, and more! Every Tuesday in August, join us from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. for some shopping, food trucks and fun in Downtown Dewitt on a warm summer night. 

Beginning August 7 – South Lansing Farmers Market: The South Lansing Farmers Market is open Thursdays, and is located at the corner of Jolly and S. MLK in Lansing! Stop by for farm fresh fruits and veggies, fresh cut flowers, arts and crafts, natural body and household products, and a food court featuring Mexican, Chinese, Lebanese, and Southern Soul food – a little something for everyone! 

Beginning August 7 – Dimondale Farmers Market: The Dimondale Farmers Market will run every Thursday in August in the Village Square. The Market is celebrating their 18th season and hosts over 15 vendors providing locally produced products including fruits, vegetables, chicken, fish, jams, honey, flowers, and more!

Reading a book outside on a sunny day.

Unplugged: Swap your Laptop for Sunscreen and Enjoy your Summer Vacation!

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

As summer heats up, there is no better time to take a vacation or staycation. Taking time away from work has many health benefits including improving your connection to yourself and loved ones and resetting from or avoiding burnout.

The Benefits of Taking a Vacation

Vacationing and taking time away from your job promotes a long, healthy life and has tremendous benefits to your mind. Taking a break from routine in fun and different ways can have the same benefits as consistent meditation exercises and help you build connections with not only your loved ones but yourself, too. In addition, taking a vacation has been scientifically proven to boost brain power. Taking time off from learning, working and gaining new information every day allows your brain to consolidate existing knowledge, resulting in improved learning after vacation.

The benefits go beyond just your mind — they affect your body too. Through reduced stress, vacations can improve heart health and decrease the chances of metabolic diseases or conditions. Vacation time also improves sleep as poor sleep habits can be broken when sleeping in a new place. Coming home after vacation feels like sleeping in another new place, allowing those improved habits to continue.

Using vacation time is one of the best ways to reset from or avoid burnout. Learning the signs and how to work toward health is a positive way to promote workplace well-being.

Before Going on Vacation

To take full advantage of these benefits, you should consider fully unplugging from work — those emails and phone calls won’t go anywhere.

Before you head to the airport or hit the road, set up automatic email replies with your out-of-office details including when you will be back, who to contact in the meantime, and how to contact you in case of an emergency. If you use a shared calendar with your team, add your out-of-office dates as early as possible and notify your team verbally and/or by email. If you have ongoing projects, consider asking a coworker, supervisor, or team member to check up on them while you are away and plan to share updates when you return. If possible, leave work-related things at home or at the office to prevent the temptation to focus on work. Finally, prepare for the day you return from work before you leave by keeping your schedule as clear as you reasonably can on your first day back.

Returning from Vacation

Returning to work can often be stressful and sometimes undo the rest you achieved on vacation. To avoid getting immediately burned out, take time to ease back into your work routine. Try to avoid scheduling several meetings on your first day back and try not to set or meet big deadlines during your first week back in the office. The more time you spend away, the more time you should give yourself to get back to your normal work pace and routine.

In addition to easing into your normal work routine, it’s important to unplug from work at the end of each day. It’s easy to get burned out if you are mentally on the clock 24/7, answering emails and catching up during nights and weekends. You can use Microsoft Teams, Outlook, Google Calendar and other work team services to set out-of-office messages at the end of your workday. Finally, avoid stress by taking the necessary steps to be productive and engaged as shared in this earlier post about avoiding and reducing burnout.

All these tips and more are available through these links:

Beach ball floating in a pool.

Make More Time for Fun with These Summer Health Tips

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

Whether you’re planning a road trip, family picnic, or trip to the lake, there is so much to do in Michigan during the summer months. While these events can provide a ton of fun for your family, there are ways to make summer safer.

Tips for a Healthy Summer

Here are some tips to help keep you safe, stay informed, and keep the fun times rolling:

  • Sun Protection: Stay in the shade when you can, wear a hat, and don’t forget about the sunscreen (at least SPF 15 is recommended for sun protection).
  • Stay Hydrated: Beat the summer heat and drink plenty of water.
  • Insect Protection: The best way to prevent mosquito bites and ticks is to wear insect repellent and long sleeves or pants. Check your clothing, body, and pets when you go inside!
  • Keep Cool: Take breaks from direct sunlight and use fans or air conditioning when needed. Take note of weather forecasts and plan events accordingly.

In addition to these tips, if you participate in a flexible spending account (FSA) you can use your funds to help pay for common summer necessities and camps for your kids.

Tips for Health Care FSA Funds

Save an average of 30% by using your Health Care FSA funds on the following eligible expenses that double as travel necessities:

  • Allergy medications
  • Blister care kits
  • Bug bite treatments
  • Orthotics/insoles
  • Sun reader eyeglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • SPF lip balm
  • Travel first-aid kits
  • Traveling neck pillows
  • UV detection stickers
  • And more!

Are you worried about buying something that isn’t considered an eligible expense? Consider shopping at the online FSA Store for worry-free purchases since everything on the FSA Store website is a guaranteed eligible expense. Check out their monthly coupons and promo codes for additional savings.

If you don’t have an FSA and are wondering if you should participate in one, learn more about the two types of FSAs available to benefit-eligible MSU employees on the HR website and consider enrolling in one or both types during the benefits Open Enrollment period in October this year.

Sources:

Student using a laptop

Reframe Failure to Increase Success

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

When was the last time you celebrated failure? We are taught from a young age that failure is bad and something to fear. Because failures may bring negative repercussions, they are often hidden, ignored and downplayed. In reality, failure can be a powerful learning experience and is essential to success. When we embrace the idea of “failing forward”, we develop perseverance, confidence and a new perspective on what it takes to succeed.

Types of Failure

Not all failures are the same, but each has important lessons to teach us.

  • Preventable failure happens in automated processes when a piece of equipment fails, a step is neglected or there is some other kind of malfunction. For this category, it’s important to determine how to best troubleshoot preventable failures. What safeguards are in place regarding people, equipment and environment? Make sure that all precautions have been taken to keep preventable failures from happening in the first place.
  • Complex failure happens when events or situations come together in unexpected ways that cannot be foreseen.
  • Intelligent failure is common in innovative projects and processes, where trial and error are simply part of the experiment.

Organizations and individuals best learn from all types of failures by having procedures in place, along with the willingness and readiness to actively detect, analyze and experiment within the workplace to catch errors quickly, learn from them, and embrace the growth and improvement that can be generated as a result.

Ideas for Action

  • Depending on the type of work you do, one of the three types of failure is probably more common than the others. Consider which is most likely to happen at your workplace and think about how you might handle that type of mistake or failure should it occur.
  • Come up with an example from your life for each type of failure: preventable, complex, and intelligent. Why did they happen, and how were they handled? Were the situations resolved? How did they affect you and others? Take some time to reflect on what you learned from these particular failures.

The Blame Game

If failure is essential to success, why does it feel so terrible when it’s happening? Failure and fault are virtually inseparable in most cultures and organizations. Every child learns at some point that admitting failure means taking the blame, and that pattern may then be reinforced in the workplace. One tremendous benefit of creating and encouraging a culture of psychological safety, in which the rewards of learning from failure can be fully realized, is that greater innovation and individual and organizational growth can occur.

The added challenge when it comes to reframing our ideas of failure is that the experience of failing is more than emotional — it’s also cognitive. We all favor evidence that supports our existing beliefs rather than alternative explanations. We also tend to downplay our responsibility and place undue blame on external or situational factors when we fail, only to do the reverse when assessing the failures of others—a psychological trap known as fundamental attribution error. The courage to confront our own and others’ imperfections with honest reflection and a focus on improvement and learning is crucial.

Ideas for Action

  • List a small number of failures you’ve experienced over recent months. Can you recall how you felt and what thoughts occurred? Make a note of these feelings and thoughts. Can you identify a pattern? Is there a repetitive loop that you repeat every time you fail at something?
  • Take one of the failures from above, which initiated the repetitive loop you have identified. Write an alternative account of what happened.

The Importance of Leaders in Building a Learning Culture

Learning is inherently about failing. Leaders can create and reinforce a culture that counteracts the blame game and makes people feel both comfortable with and responsible for surfacing and learning from failures. They should insist on developing a clear understanding of what happened — not of “who did it” — when things go wrong. This requires consistently reporting failures, small and large, systematically analyzing them and proactively searching for opportunities to experiment. A work culture that recognizes the inevitability of failure in today’s complex organizations and is willing to catch, correct and learn from failure leads to success, employee satisfaction and loyalty. A work culture that wallows in the blame game will not.

It’s imperative for leaders to move beyond the false notion that if people aren’t blamed for failures, they’ll become “lazy” and stop putting in the effort to do their best work. In actuality, a culture that makes it safe to admit and report on failure can coexist with high standards for performance. Not all failures are created equal. Taking the time to analyze the reasons behind why a failure occurred before determining appropriate action will do far more for a team than assuming that assigning blame will lead to improvement in the long run.

One interesting study asked executives to estimate how many of the failures in their organizations were truly blameworthy; their answers were usually in single digits — around 2% to 5%. They were then asked how many failures were treated as blameworthy; they admitted that was closer to 70% to 90%. One unfortunate consequence of this scenario is that many failures go unreported, and their lessons are lost.

Ideas for Action

  • Assess whether your teams offer a sense of psychological safety. Do the members of the team have confidence that the team will not embarrass, reject or punish them for speaking up with ideas? Questions? Concerns? Mistakes? Are each person’s contributions valued? If you answered yes on each measure, that team possesses a strong sense of psychological safety.
  • Leaders and supervisors need to actively create psychological safety because their position of power or status naturally suppresses people’s ability to speak up. This can be done by publicly acknowledging their own fallibility and emphasizing the need for each person’s contributions. They can also respond positively when people do bring things forward. From the results of the preceding exercise, choose a team with a low or mid-level of psychological safety. Develop an action plan for how the team leader or manager can improve the level of psychological safety.

Like everything in life, reframing failure becomes easier with practice. When failures inevitably occur, remind yourself and others that failure is temporary, and failure is good even if, undeniably, it feels really bad when it happens. When something goes wrong, practice saying, “Something good is happening here.” Look for the greater message of the experience and expect it to, eventually, turn out for the good.

Sources

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/18/a-psychologist-says-the-most-successful-people-reframe-failure-by-doing-4-things.html

https://elevateu.skillport.com/skillportfe/main.action?path=summary/VIDEOS/12581

https://elevateu.skillport.com/skillportfe/main.action?path=summary/VIDEOS/146739

https://www.forbes.com/sites/williamarruda/2015/05/14/why-failure-is-essential-to-success/?sh=11e953df7923

https://hbr.org/2011/04/strategies-for-learning-from-failure

Puzzled computer user

Are You Procrastinating? Increase Motivation and Become More Productive with These Simple Steps.

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

There are countless reasons to put off working on a project. Maybe you’re daunted by the size of it, or the deadline is far off, so you don’t feel the urgency to get moving. Whether your procrastination is the result of perfectionism, negative thought patterns, or even boredom, there are easy changes you can make to increase your motivation and complete high-quality work without missing deadlines.

Take charge of your day

It’s easy to find excuses to not take action. I don’t have time. I’m too busy. I’ll do it later when things calm down. To move beyond procrastination, you need to take charge of your time.

  • Don’t let external demands control your time. Deadlines and mundane tasks are likely a part of your days. Take charge of your schedule.
  • Minimize interruptions. Turn off your Teams, Outlook, and text notifications if you can. Block off time on your calendar. Prioritize your tasks. Ask yourself: What needs to be done now? What can wait until later?
  • Figure out and respect your preferred working methods and energy levels. Consider when you’re most productive and schedule your day accordingly.

Set small deadlines

If you sometimes feel like you’re accomplishing nothing, it may be because your idea of getting something done is too big.

  • Focus on the wins, no matter how small. Set small goals and interim deadlines throughout the day.
  • As you hit each small target, you’ll build momentum and feel motivated to strive toward the next goal.

Achieve an optimal level of positive stress

We all face stress at work — deadlines to meet, unexpected problems to solve. It may sound counterintuitive, but a little stress can be a good thing. Positive stress can give you the energy you need to stay motivated. The key is to achieve an optimal level of healthy stress.

  • Know your limits. Find a challenge you can realistically take on.
  • Don’t be complacent. Push yourself to achieve great things, one step at a time. Remember that a challenge should stretch you without breaking you.

Collaborate to stay engaged

When we pool our resources and expertise to work on a task with others, we share ideas, discuss options, and develop ideas as a team. One person’s enthusiasm might inspire you. New eyes bring new perspectives, which may help you look at a task in a new way.

  • To ensure your collaboration is effective, be sure you have a diverse group to offer different perspectives.
  • Allow some quiet space to build on the ideas that emerge.
  • Effective collaboration can be structured or informal.

Try these techniques to help you take action and leave procrastination behind, and look into self-paced, online elevateU resources for further motivation and guidance.

Marketing Communications Manager I: Basic details of the Job of the Week article posting, noted in the article

Job of The Week: Marketing Communications Manager I

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

This week, we are featuring a job posting as a Marketing Communications Manager I for MSU Health Care (job posting 1047090). If you are interested in leading a digital-first marketing communications strategy, managing projects and vendors, and supporting clinics in meeting their communication goals, this may be the position for you. 

From joint ventures and partnerships to leveraging expansive clinical research and expert educational strengths for patients, MSU Health Care focuses on providing healing and caring to all. MSU Health Care spans 46 adult and pediatric specialties committed to high-quality patient care. Their mission is to deliver a personalized experience and a safe environment for all, train the next generation of clinicians, ensure equitable access, and provide the highest quality of care. MSU Health Care remains dedicated to providing an exceptional experience and enhancing life. 

In this role, you will create compelling content to add value to multi-channel marketing communication plans, including brand-journalism style articles, MSU website content, advertising materials, social media posts, infographics, and more. You will review content, implement brand identity, assist in project management with outside vendors, and help drive engagement through coordinated events and promotions. Find a complete list of job responsibilities on the MSU Careers website. 

This position requires a degree in journalism, telecommunications, public relations, or similar, and one to three years of work experience in public and media relations, composing, editing, and publication production, news, broadcasting, or marketing/advertising. You should also be well-versed in word processing, internal and external communications, social media, content management, and digital communication strategy development. 

To learn more about MSU Health Care, visit the MSU Health Care website. To learn more or apply for this position, please visit the MSU Careers website. Applications require a resume, cover letter, a sample of a detailed marketing communication plan, at least three writing/other work samples, three professional references, and should be submitted by June 3.

violet flowers on campus

June Events Round-Up

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

Summer is here, and there are many in-person and virtual events on campus and in the Greater Lansing area this June. Check out upcoming events for you and your family to celebrate and embrace the start of summer! Visit the links below to explore upcoming events and register if required. 

Campus Events

June 7 – Family Day: SUSTAIN: The first Saturday of the month means Family Day at the MSU Broad Art Museum, and this month we are exploring how we are connected to the land. You and your family can stop by the museum to make prints using local nature materials in connection with  Farmland: Food, Justice, and Sovereignty. 

June 8 and 29 – Music and the Garden: The MSU College of Music and Beal Botanical Garden invite you to a celebration of nature, music, and imagination, and explore this year’s theme of “Understanding Our World.” Take this opportunity to see plant collections in new ways and see how MSU gardens are being reimagined for the future. 

June 12 – MSU Juneteenth Celebration: Attend the 5th annual MSU Juneteenth Commemorative Celebration on Thursday, June 12, from 5:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Multicultural Center. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. This year’s theme is A Juneteenth Renaissance: Bridging Freedom’s Legacy and Tomorrow’s Vision. 

June 15 –  Museum Tour: Deep-Rooted with Beal Botanical Garden  Join Applied Ethnobotanist and Education Director of the Beal Botanical Gardens, Maeve Bassett, to learn about the social, historical, and political narratives within plants in the garden and artwork in the MSU Broad Art Collection.

June 21 – Growing Queer Care: Join Morgan Doherty (Ph.D. Candidate, Community Sustainability, Michigan State University) and Taylor Hartson (Ph.D. Candidate, Sociology, University of Notre Dame) to learn more about the work of queer farmers in the midwest for a Talk + Listen session. 

Family-Friendly Events

June 4 – Motivated by Nature 2.25-mile Trail Run/Walk:  Celebrate Global Runners Day and immerse yourself in a 2.25-mile trail loop through the 100-acre Harris Nature Center and Eastgate Park. Proceeds go to the Harris Nature Center Foundation to help fund the Nature Exploration Area expansion and for bus scholarship programs that help get students in the Greater Lansing area to attend education programs at the center. 

June 7 – Old Town Chalk of the Town: Visit Old Town Lansing to watch live as chalk art is created on the sidewalks by artists, visit unique boutiques, try a new restaurant, and more. 

June 16 and 23 – Sensory Friendly Hour at Bath Township Library: On the third and fourth Mondays of each month, visit the Bath Township Library for sensory-friendly hours. Staff will dim lights, provide sensory-friendly toys, fidgets, and noise-canceling headphones for those seeking a calming environment to explore books. 

June 18 – Family Night Cruise-In: Bring the kids to the cruise-in at the R.E. Olds Transportation Museum! There will be a bounce house, games, and goodies for kids, plus popcorn and popsicles for all ages!

Greater Lansing Area Events

Select dates in June – Lansing Lugnuts Home Games: “Go Nuts” and cheer on your local Lansing Lugnuts baseball team at Jackson Field this month! Check out their website for themes, promotions, tickets, and dates for June games.

June 14 – East Lansing PRIDE: Come celebrate the fourth annual East Lansing PRIDE! The event will feature an open floor drag show, live music, art activities, vendors, giveaways and more. Be sure to follow Downtown East Lansing on Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date on this event!

June 19 –  Lansing Fiesta & Carnival: Visit Adado Riverfront Park in Downtown Lansing for a celebration of music, culture and community with a carnival, food trucks, and live entertainment!

June 5, 12, 19 and 26 – Summer Concerts on the Square: Summer is almost here, which means Summer Concerts on the Square in Charlotte! New bands will play recurring weekly on Thursdays until the end of August. 

June 20, 21, 27 and 28 – Pride and Prejudice On Stage: Whether you are a lifelong fan of Jane Austen or are new to the world of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, don’t miss experiencing one of the most beloved romantic comedies live on stage this June!  

Learning Opportunities

June 4 – Crucial Influence: Leaders must be able to influence behavior to achieve team goals and organizational objectives, and the Crucial Influence Model reveals why people do what they do and how leaders at every level can influence behavior for lasting results. If you are a mid to high-level leader who is responsible for directing change and improving efforts, this is a great course for you! 

June 17 – Cultural Competency II: Building Respect in the Workplace: Participants will engage in deep dialogue around power and privilege, positionality, intersectionality, and how these dynamics impact relationships in the workplace. 

June 19 – Identify and Maximize Your Strengths:  Tap into your unique talents and complete the CliftonStrengths Assessment. Learn more about your natural patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving, and how they apply to your role in the workplace. Use your research to express what you do best and grow your overall confidence.

June 26 – Mandatory Reporting Obligations for RVSM: MSU’s Prevention Outreach and Education (POE) presenters will review the University’s Mandatory Reporting for Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct and Title IX policy and employees’ expectations under the policy. This training will also provide attendees with practices and support for those affected by RVSM. 

Farmer’s Markets

Beginning June 1 – The East Lansing Farmers Market: Visit Valley Court Park from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. every Sunday in June for some shopping and fresh air at the East Lansing Farmers Market (ELFM). Here you can purchase a variety of fresh goods, farm-grown here in Michigan, including vegetables, fruits, bread, cheese, honey, flowers, and so much more. No registration needed. 

Beginning June 3 – Downtown Dewitt Farmers Market: Come to the Downtown Dewitt Farmers Market for an evening of exploring small businesses, home-grown foods, treats, and more! Every Tuesday in July, join us from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. for some shopping, food trucks and fun in Downtown Dewitt on a warm summer night.

Beginning June 5 – South Lansing Farmers Market: The South Lansing Farmers Market is open Thursdays, and is located at the corner of Jolly and S. MLK in Lansing! Stop by for farm fresh fruits and veggies, fresh cut flowers, arts and crafts, natural body and household products, and a food court featuring Mexican, Chinese, Lebanese, and Southern Soul food – a little something for everyone!