Tag: Professional Development

May Events Round-Up

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

If you and your family are looking for events in May, you have come to the right place! May holds many opportunities on campus and in the Greater Lansing area. Visit the links below to explore upcoming events and register if necessary. 

Campus Events

May 3 – Family Day: RESEARCH: First Saturday means Family Day at the MSU Broad Art Museum! Investigate art materials as playful research and see what different things art materials can do, inspired by the MSU students in the 2025 Master of Fine Arts Exhibition. 

May 8 – Beal Botanical Garden Tour: Spring Ephemerals:  Join Arboretum and Invasive Species Coordinator Carolyn Miller for a garden walk to enjoy the spring ephemerals in their floral display and maybe even spot some birds on the way! 

May 10 – 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.

May 19—Rest With Music: Music can heal, calm, and regenerate our mind, body, and spirit. Hosted by Health Promotion and Engagement, Abrams Planetarium is holding Rest with Music, live musical performances featuring a variety of musical styles and genres. Visit the website for available dates and times.

May 28 – Beal Footprints Walking Tour Series: Join Beal Botanical Garden and Campus Arboretum for lunchtime guided tours beginning at the Beal Pond. May’s tour is “Plant identification for everyone” by Director Alan Prather.

May 21 to June 1 – Hamilton: A revolutionary story of passion, ambition, and the dawn of a new nation, Hamilton is coming to the Wharton Center. Visit the Wharton Center website to read more about the musical and check out dates and ticket pricing. 

Greater Lansing Area Events

May 2—Teens and Adults with Disabilities Social Night: Teens and adults with disabilities can visit the Valley Farms Community Center for an evening of dancing, refreshments, and friends—old and new!  

May 17 – The Best of Lansing Festival: Celebrate the best of the best of downtown Lansing! This free event transforms Lansing into a playground of people of all ages coming together for huge inflatable obstacle courses on the Capitol Lawn, over 100 vendors featuring Lansing’s finest creations, and showcasing the Lansing City Pulse’s Top of the Town winners. 

May 17 and 18—East Lansing Art Festival: Visit the East Lansing Art Festival to celebrate its 62-year tradition of bringing high-quality art to the streets of East Lansing. Immerse yourself in the art, creativity, and culture of the Greater Lansing area community.  

May 22 – Thursday Night Live! Mason Outdoor Concert Series: “Thursday Night Live!” is a summer series of free musical entertainment hosted by the Mason Area Chamber of Commerce to bring various musical experiences and the community together. All ages are welcome to bring chairs and blankets to sprawl on the lawn and enjoy free entertainment with crafts, concessions, and more available. 

Family-Friendly Events

May 11 and 21—Impression 5’s Sensory Friendly Hours: You and your family can visit the Impression 5 Science Center’s select exhibits, which have been altered to reduce sounds, scents, and lighting stimuli. Guests can expect a small group capacity, pop-up activities, and maps designated for these select areas.

May 29 – The Spongebob Musical: Visit the Riverwalk Theatre in Lansing to see The Spongebob Musical – a cartoonish romp by Kyle Jarrow and Tina Landau. 

Select Dates in May – Lansing Lugnuts Home Game: Cheer on your local Lansing Lugnuts at a home game this season at Jackson Field! 

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. 

Learning Opportunities

May 1 – Conflict Management:  Learn how to resolve conflict, de-escalate situations, and manage crises in the workplace. This training will help you apply these tactics to real-life situations. 

May 6—Grammar Refresher: This virtual workshop will strengthen your grammar and usage skills and help you present a more professional image in the workplace. 

May 7 – Webinar – How Can I Afford College for my Kids or Grandkids? Hosted by TIAA, register for this webinar for helpful insights into how to make the best decisions when saving for a child’s future education. Learn why saving for college is essential, how to get started, how to avoid debt, and more. 

May 8—Identify and Maximize Your Strengths: Part 2 Unlock the Full 34: In this series, you will learn to 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. 

May 8, 15, 22, and 29 – Breaking Free from Stress: This four-part virtual series explores how awareness of your thoughts can bring your personal and work life together. Become a wise leader of your personal and work life, move beyond anxiety and depression, stay steady in difficult times, embrace change, and more in this webinar. 

May 13 – Records Management and Retention at MSU: Learn the rules, regulations, and strategies to help manage university records. 

May 14, 21, and 28—Setting Healthy Boundaries: This webinar teaches signs to know when it is time to set a boundary, the different types of boundaries we need to set, how to manage negative emotions that may come up when discussing boundaries, and more. 

May 15 – Webinar: Financial Wellness and Mental Health:  Learn the relationship between mental and financial well-being in this webinar hosted by the TIAA. Gather insights on how financial problems can impact mental health, how mental health impacts decision making, the importance of developing a personal wellness plan, and resources that are available to help. 

May 28 – Maximize Your Concur Travel Skills: Recommended for new-to MSU employees, this course teaches how to understand the Concur systems, create a travel request, book travel, reconcile travel expenses, and more. 

May 29 – 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 employee expectations under the policy. This training will also provide attendees with practices and support for those affected by RVSM. 

Job of The Week: Human Resource, Operations and Facilities Manager

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This week, we are featuring a job posting as a Human Resources, Operations, and Facilities Manager for the MSU College of Law (job posting 10095517).  If you are looking to provide HR expertise as a member of the leadership team of the College of Law, this may be the position for you.

The MSU College of Law is a driving force for justice and excellence rooted in equitable opportunity. It has a mission to transform legal practice and policymaking and apply legal expertise for the greater good. With 2,500+ graduates fighting crime and advocating for social justice, MSU College of Law gives students hands-on opportunities and fosters like-minded communities to learn to be leaders in the legal profession. 

In this position, you will manage and provide human resources expertise within the College of Law and partner with central and unit HR representatives to ensure alignment with all policies and procedures. You will represent the college in grievances, arbitrations, and workers’ compensation hearings, and you will resolve complex problems with staff and faculty. The manager will develop and oversee training programs and organize/conduct orientation programs, tours, and related activities for incoming employees. Additionally, you will maintain employment data to analyze and provide recommendations to employees, collaborate with the College of Law units on Talent Management, and address issues and develop strategies to address them, including internal complaints. Find a complete list of job responsibilities on the MSU Careers website.

This position requires a degree in Human Resources or similar and three to five years of work experience in accounting, management, budget preparation, and database system analysis and maintenance. It is desired that you are knowledgeable of faculty and support staff hiring processes, have a strong ability to maintain confidentiality, the ability to foster a cooperative work environment, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to enter, manage, track, and maintain sensitive data and manual records. 

Learn more about the MSU College of Law here. To learn more or apply, please visit the MSU Careers website. Applications require a cover letter, resume, and three professional references, and should be submitted by May 6.

Job of The Week: Nurse Clinician I

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This week, MSU Human Resources is featuring a job posting as a Nurse Clinician I for MSU Health Care  (job posting 1033014). If you are looking to work as a registered nurse with patient care as a top priority, this may be the role 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 missions are to deliver a personalized experience and a safe environment for all, train the next generation of clinicians, ensure equitable access, and offer the highest quality of care. MSU Health Care remains dedicated to providing an exceptional experience and enhancing life. 

In this position, you will evaluate patient status and implement care within the facility. You will work closely with the multidisciplinary team and are expected to uphold ethical and safe processes while keeping patient care as a top priority. Additionally, you will provide safe, effective, and culturally competent patient care while aligning with organizational policies and procedures. This position requires significant physical effort, involving lifting and maneuvering patients, extensive walking and standing, and visual and hearing acuity to communicate with patients. 

This role requires a degree in Nursing and one to three years of related or progressively more expansive work experience in nursing. This role also requires the possession of a current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of Michigan. Experience in surgery, heart and vascular, or urology practice setting is preferred. 

Learn more about MSU Health Care here. To learn more or apply, please visit the MSU Careers website. Applications require a cover letter, resume, and proof of a valid State of Michigan RN license and should be submitted by April 22.

Job of The Week: Assistant Director of Production

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This week, MSU Human Resources is featuring a job posting for an Assistant Director of Production for the Department of Athletics (job posting 1031692). If you are interested in leading high-end cinematography, working in a fast-paced and highly collaborative environment, and taking part in producing a new docuseries this fall, this may be the position for you. 

The Department of Athletics is seeking an individual who will help shape the visual identity of MSU Athletics through multiple forms of impactful content across all digital platforms. The Assistant Director’s creativity, technical skills, and storytelling abilities are crucial to bringing to life the stories of Spartan student-athletes and traditions for a diverse audience. You will be the lead producer for one of MSU’s flagship team docuseries under the Spartans All-Access umbrella. Additionally, you will film and edit game recaps and highlights, collaborate with producers to shoot, edit, and produce digital content, and mentor and support student employees engaged in post-production roles. You will deliver high-quality content under tight, sometimes “day of” deadlines, ensure brand consistency, and uphold color standards for Spartan Vision’s post-production workflow across all produced content. 

This role requires knowledge that is normally acquired by completing a degree in TV production, telecommunications, digital media, film production, or similar, and a minimum of three years of experience in producing video content for an athletic department, team, agency, or media brand. Additionally, you should be proficient in Adobe Creative Suite and PC environments and have experience with Sony camera systems. This position also requires excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work flexible hours on-site, including nights and weekends.

Learn more about the MSU Department of Athletics here. To learn more or apply, please visit the MSU Careers website. Applications require a cover letter, resume, and portfolio of work, and should be submitted by April 29.

5 Ways to Engage with Your Performance Evaluation Beyond an Annual Review

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Part of MSU’s appeal as a residential, land-grant institution is our vast array of programs, specializations, and priorities — not just for students but for staff and faculty. This diversity makes us great, and it also requires a need for case-by-case definitions of success and achievement from unit to unit and from person to person. 

One way to ensure you, your supervisor, and the university recognize and record your efforts is to tell your story through the Performance Excellence (PE) process. When many of us in non-supervisory, support staff roles discuss PE at MSU, we think of a supervisor-led annual review. In reality, PE encompasses an ongoing cycle of: 

  1. Performance Planning — Goal Setting and Development Planning 
  2. Continuous Feedback, Coaching, and Development 
  3. Annual Review — Collaborative Meeting with Employee and Supervisor Contributions 

Below are suggestions for ways to engage as an employee in the PE process and tell your story with confidence. 

1) Set SMART, HARD Goals and Find Ways to Measure Them 

On one hand, we know each employee’s experience and accomplishments extend well beyond quantitative data and one review each year. On the other hand, we also know that specific measurements — especially those backed by accurate numerical data — are a powerful and widely accepted way to determine success. 

One way to ensure the full picture of your story is told during the PE process is to take the lead when it comes to your own goal setting and measurement. Setting SMART, HARD goals is a great place to start. Consider the following: 

  • Your personal goals 
  • The goals of your department/unit goals 
  • Organization-wide goals/university strategic plan 

Goals are not something that should be determined solely by a supervisor and then assigned and evaluated once a year during your review discussion or performance planning session. Generating and adapting goals throughout the year is a collaborative process and one way you can contribute toward the narrative of your achievements. 

Read related article: When SMART Meets HARD: Setting Goals that Matter 

2) Track and Document Your Accomplishments 

Setting and measuring goals is a great place to start, but tracking and documenting your progress toward these goals is key. Block off some time on your calendar to regularly check results, generate data and document your progress in a way that makes the most sense for you and your role. You know your work, efforts, and accomplishments better than anyone else, which makes you the ideal person to collect and report this information. 

Read related article: What’s Your Plan? Six Steps to Align Your Goals with What’s Important to You 

3) Schedule Regular Check-ins 

In this environment of rapid change, it’s more important than ever to regularly check in with your supervisor to discuss progress, review and reevaluate goals, and receive feedback. Regular, continuous coaching allows an opportunity for you to reconnect to your unit’s and the university’s mission and ensure your goals continue to be aligned with this larger vision and objectives. 

As a university, we are working to shift the perception of PE from one yearly review to a wider focus on ongoing coaching, feedback, and goal setting. There’s no need to wait for your supervisor to schedule a meeting for you to touch base on these topics. You have the option of reaching out to your supervisor and setting up check-ins on a schedule that works for both of you. Even a brief 15-minute check-in can go a long way toward staying on track with goals and sharing the story of your work. 

TIPS 

  • Go to these meetings prepared with the documented progress and accomplishments mentioned above. 
  • Bring questions to help guide the conversation and make the time as useful as possible for both you and your supervisor. 

4) Contribute Toward Your Review 

Did you know that, as support staff, you have the opportunity to contribute toward all your PE discussions and submit documentation to include along with your official review forms? 

Review documentation that is imaged and kept on file with central HR includes your reviews (annual, probationary, and interim) and performance improvement plans. You have the option to include a self-review and/or other statements along with your documents on file. On an ongoing basis, this may be a summary that features the data you’ve been tracking throughout the year to share specific achievements and outcomes. 

TIPS 

  • Keep it brief. Unless documenting extraordinary circumstances, a 1–2-page document will be impactful and share the story of your performance. Due to system storage limitations, submitting a large quantity of documents with your review could possibly lead to some documents being excluded from imaging. 
  • Reference any additional documents on the official PE forms. Include a statement within the “Employee’s comments” section of the Annual Review to “See attached ______” (e.g., self-review, list of achievements) and indicate the number of additional documents. This helps central HR know an employee’s wishes for those documents to be imaged alongside their review. 

5) Utilize Your Resources 

HR’s Organization and Professional Development (OPD) department offers online PE resources and documents geared toward both employees â€Żand supervisors that can help guide and support you in all components of the PE process. OPD is in the process of reworking this online content for greater accessibility, inclusivity, and usefulness for all support staff, and we look forward to sharing these changes with you later this year. 

Additional recommended resources are listed below. Your MAU’s HR representative, central HR and OPD, and your union representatives are all available to work with you and help you share your story should you need specific guidance or assistance at any point during the PE cycle. 

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES 

Opening photo provided by Disability:IN.

Job of The Week: Generalist Counselor

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This week, MSU Human Resources is featuring a job posting for a generalist Counselor for the College of Osteopathic Medicine (MSUCOM) (job posting 1031414). If you are interested in providing direct mental health services to MSUCOM medical students and are passionate about helping others, this may be the role for you.

The MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine’s mission is to provide world-class osteopathic, student-centered graduate and medical education and research to foster community across patient-centered medical care. The Wellness and Counseling Office is committed to supporting MSUCOM medical students throughout their medical school journey by offering various mental health resources and wellness initiatives in a safe and confidential environment.

MSUCOM’s Wellness and Counseling Office is seeking a compassionate and skilled generalist counselor to provide direct mental health services to MSUCOM students. This part-time, on-call position offers a flexible 20-hour work week, 1039 hours in any twelve-month period. You will provide in-person and telehealth counseling support to students within the medical school throughout their education, clinical rotations, and across many different campuses. This role will provide support for a wide range of personal, academic, and professional struggles, including but not limited to stress, anxiety, relationship struggles, burnout, family worries, trauma, grief, and loss. You will implement strategic planning to help students through these individual issues and to enhance their overall health and well-being. 

This position requires maintaining confidential documentation of student sessions and completing case notes in compliance with MSUCOM policies. In addition, you will actively participate in weekly staff meetings and student orientation events, white coat ceremonies, and graduation. You will engage in clinical supervision, professional development opportunities, and other various duties needed to support MSUCOM’s Wellness and Counseling Office’s goals and student support. 

Desired qualifications include completing one or two years of graduate study beyond a bachelor’s degree, such as a Master’s in Social Work or a Licensed Professional Counselor, and one to three years of related experience in a counseling/mental health support setting. It is also recommended to have State certification as a Social Worker, Professional Counselor, or Marriage and Family Therapist (LMSW, LPC, LMFT). 

Learn more about the College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Wellness and Counseling Office here. To learn more or apply, please visit the MSU Careers website. Applications require a cover letter, resume, and a copy of your current State of Michigan licensure and should be submitted by May 2.

Your Guide to MSU Resources for Stress Reduction

Published on by Abigail Miller1 Comment

April is Stress Awareness Month! Daily stress can seriously impact both our mental and physical health. Taking control of our stress is key to living a balanced and healthy life. MSU offers a variety of resources designed to help you manage and reduce stress:  

Activities

  • Campus Meditation Map: Beal Scholar Anhad Viswananth created this incredible meditation map to highlight the best spots to meditate around campus. 
  • Staying Active: Watch your stress dissolve as you become more active this spring. Warmer weather is on its way, and it’s the perfect time to get outside and run, kayak, walk, or swim. Join a biking group in the Greater Lansing area or an MSU Recreation group fitness class to stay motivated. 
  • Finals Flex Midday Movement: Stop by the MSU Main Library to wind down from the school year and de-stress. Bring a mat or a towel, and get ready for breathing, stretching, and mobilizing exercises. 
  • Desk Decompress: Tuesdays and Thursdays from January 7 to May 1, join this 15-minute virtual class to relax and decompress while stretching and strengthening the wrist, shoulders, and spine. Register here for Desk Decompress for a midweek pick-me-up!
  • Walking at MSU: There are many things to see and do on MSU’s 2,100-acre campus. Follow these various MSU campus walking tours to make the most of our beautiful campus and gardens. 
    • On April 5, join the Red Cedar River Environmental Walking Tour and learn about the environmental history of the river at the heart of MSU’s campus. This 1.2-mile round-trip walk will start at the MSU Main Library and describe some interesting historical and environmental features of the river.
    • On April 10, join the Beal Botanical Garden for a Sensing Spring tour to learn about the science of nature exposure benefiting physical and mental wellbeing and how plant communities support each other, plus some ways we can be supportive in return.
    • On April 23, join Beal Botanical Garden and Campus Arboretum for lunchtime guided walking tours on the fourth Wednesday of each month, April through October.
    • On April 25, join IPF and Landscape Services for Arbor Day and help install native plant material along the riverbank, creating a new pollinator garden along the banks of the Red Cedar River.
  • Rest with Music: Music can heal, calm, and regenerate our mind, body, and spirit. Hosted by Health Promotion and Engagement, Abrams Planetarium is holding Rest with Music – live musical performances featuring a variety of musical styles and genres. Visit the website for dates and times available for you.

Learning Resources

  • Breaking Free from Stress Course: This course will help you become aware of how your own thought world operates to bring you your personal reality of your work and personal life.  Learning the basic principles presented in this course will help you see how to be less reactive to other people and events and how to live your life from a deeper perspective of common sense and wisdom. Eligible employees may use their Educational Assistance funds for this course.
  • Spartan Resilience Education Programs: University Health and Wellbeing provide opportunities for any Spartan, anywhere, to develop or strengthen the skills needed to effectively respond to their unique collection of challenges. Through a variety of media and teaching formats, they seek to ensure that resilience education is accessible, inclusive, and ever-present as part of the “Spartan Experience.”
  • How to Disconnect from Work: Taking time away from work, in the forms of breaks, vacation time, or strengthening boundaries around employees’ workdays, is important. View these resources to learn more about balancing your time and work schedule. 
  • Stress Reduction: MSU Health4U has plenty of resources to help you reduce your stress levels. Learn more in their Stress Reduction series of articles. 
  • Employee Assistance Program: The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a confidential short-term counseling and referral service provided at no cost to MSU faculty, staff, graduate assistants, retirees, and their insurance-eligible dependents who are located within the state of Michigan. Classes and resources to help reduce stress are updated on the EAP website often.
  • Avoiding Burnout: This article will help you learn how to avoid burnout and what to do if you’re experiencing it.

Stress can look different for each individual, so take care of yourself using these resources and beyond. Have another resource you’d like to add to the list? Let us know in the comments!

Opening photo of the Beal Botanical Gardens by MSU University Communications.

Job of The Week: Pharmacy Technician I

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This week, MSU Human Resources is featuring a job posting for a Pharmacy Technician I for MSU Health Care Clinical Services (job posting 983065). If you are interested in assisting pharmacists in various tasks, 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 missions are to deliver a personalized experience and a safe environment for all, train the next generation of clinicians, ensure equitable access, and offer the highest quality of care. MSU Health Care remains dedicated to providing an exceptional experience and enhancing life. 

In this position, you will be primarily responsible for assisting pharmacists in patient pharmaceutical care through billing, receiving, and preparing prescriptions for pharmacists to review. Additionally, you will provide patient assistance at the point of sale and perform other technical functions to support operations in the pharmacy. This job also requires significant physical effort and involves standing, lifting boxes, bending, and reaching for items. 

The education, experience, and skills required for this role include knowledge typically acquired from specialized training in a pharmacy technician program and six months to one year of similar work experience in a pharmacy setting, including computer and math skills. This role also requires a current State of Michigan Pharmacy Technician license and certification as a Certified Pharmacy Technician. 

Desired qualifications include a work history in a retail pharmacy setting, excellent customer service skills, great written and verbal communication skills, and a vaccine administration certificate. 

Learn more about MSU Health Care here.  To learn more about this position or apply, please visit the MSU Careers website. Applications require a resume and cover letter and should be submitted by April 8.

April Events Round-Up

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If you and your family are looking for events in April, you have come to the right place! April holds many opportunities on campus and in the Greater Lansing area for you to check out. Visit the links below to explore upcoming events and register if required.

Campus Events

April 4 – RCPD Annual Awards and Appreciation Reception:  Each year, the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities hosts an annual awards and appreciation reception to honor the outstanding achievements of scholarship recipients, exceptional faculty and staff, and generous donors supporting the RCPD mission.

April 5 – Red Cedar River Environmental Walking Tour: Take a tour on the banks of the Red Cedar and learn about the environmental history of the river at the heart of MSU’s campus. This 1.2 mile round-trip walk will start at the MSU Main Library and loop from the Kalamazoo Street Bridge to Farm Lane and back, with stops to describe some interesting historical and environmental features of the river

April 5 – Family Day: CREATE: The First Saturday of the month means Family Day at the MSU Broad Art Museum, and this month, you and your family have the opportunity to celebrate young artists with hands-on and interactive fun for all. 

April 8 – 13 – Chicago: Chicago is a Broadway classic that has it all: a story of fame and fortune with unforgettable music and dance and a battle for the spotlight. With over 27 years on Broadway, 10,000+ performances, 6 Tony Awards, 2 Olivier Awards, and a Grammy, this show, appearing at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts, is not one to miss! 

April 12 – 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. 

April 12-13 – The MSU Student Horticulture Association Annual Spring Show and Plant Sale: The Spring Show is the MSU Student Horticulture Association’s biggest event of the year! It’s a part indoor garden show and part plant sale, with a different theme every year. It’s perfect for plant lovers, those who are looking for cool garden ideas, or those who would like a small vacation from the cool grayness that is Michigan in early spring.

April 16 – Finals Flex Midday Movement: Stop by the MSU Main Library to wind down from the school year and de-stress. Bring a mat or a towel, and get ready for breathing, stretching, and mobilizing exercises. 

April 18 – Night at the Museum: Discover the journey of your food through hands-on art and science activities at the MSU Broad Art Museum! This event is partnered with themes presented in the Farmland exhibition and explores the questions of food knowledge, security, and justice against the background of MSU’s 170-year history in agricultural tradition. 

April 21 – Rest With Music: Visit the Abrams Planetarium for our once-a-month Rest with Music session. Music is powerful and can heal the mind, calm the body, and regenerate our mind, body, and spirit. Stop by for 40 minutes of healing, relaxation, and peacefulness for a small break from your busy work week.

April 24 – Take Your Child to Work Day: MSU employees are encouraged to bring their child or a special child in their life to work on Thursday, April 24th! Take Your Child to Work Day is open to all MSU faculty, staff, students, and community and highlights the university’s employee support. MSU units and departments will have events aimed towards kids aged eight to sixteen, but all ages are welcome. Be sure to sign up and confirm your participation here. 

April 25 – Arbor Day: Infrastructure Planning & Facilities and Landscape Services welcomes you as our guest to support the promise of keeping MSU green for future Spartan generations. Join the MSU Landscapers installing native plant material along the riverbank, creating a new pollinator garden on April 25th, 2025, at Noon along the banks of the Red Cedar River between Kellogg Ramp and Jenison Field House in lot 67 for the annual Arbor Day planting. 

Learning Opportunities

Recurring Tuesdays – Grief and Loss Support Sessions: If you are a part of the Spartan community and have experienced the loss of a loved one, pet, friend, co-worker, neighbor, or other, we invite you to join us for an online MSU grief and loss support session. Via Zoom, learn some skills and strategies to help you move through your grief process with more ease. 

April 1, 8, 15, and 22 – Navigating Hard Times with Empathy and Self-Compassion: This Zoom session is here to help give you tips and tricks to show up for your coworkers with love and compassion in tough times. Learn what high-quality self-care can look like and how self-compassion can help our healing process. 

April 9 – 12 – 18th Annual Muslim Studies Program Conference:  Join the MSU Broad Art Museum, the MSU Muslim Studies Program, and the Association for Modern + Contemporary Art of the Arab World, Iran, and Turkey (AMCA) to learn more about solidarity and Arab American art histories at this three-day online webinar. 

April 10 and 24 – Deepening Your Essential Skills:  If you have completed a course by Spartan Resilience Education, you are eligible to continue learning at this webinar. Here, you can ask questions, raise topics, and build community with your peers. 

April 11 – Teaching and Learning with ADHD: Hosted by the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the College of Natural Science, and the Center for Teaching and Learning Innovation, this seminar teaches strategies for addressing the unique challenges of ADHD in academia.

April 16 and 17 – Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue: This course teaches techniques that allow you to learn how to understand different opinions, find mutual respect, and work openly through disagreements. You will also learn ways to help foster inclusivity, psychological safety, and inclusion in this two-day course. 

April 22 – Building Cohesive Teams: Learn methods crucial to building collaboration within a team and skills for influencing team performance at HR’s Building Cohesive Teams course. Discover strategies to establish positive day-to-day collaboration and team awareness and cultivate trustworthiness in the workplace. 

April 24 – Strategic Planning: Learn how to move from ideas to actions in the workplace and gain a foundational base for implementing strategic planning in a unit in this workshop.  

April 29 – Introduction to Gender, Names, and Pronouns:  Check out this course to learn more about how to practice gender inclusivity with students and staff at MSU. 

Greater Lansing Area Events

Throughout April – MSU Science Festival: Let your curiosity take flight at the 13th annual MSU Science Festival! Visit the official website to view the 200 plus events that will be held!

April 1, 2, 5, and 6 – Puppy Yoga: Join Canines for Change for an adorable Puppy Yoga session the first week of April! Support the mission to train service and facility dogs, connect with adorable puppies and move your body.

April 5 and 19 –  Contra and Square Dance: All dances are taught, and no partner is needed at the Contra and Square Dance class. Wear loose clothes and comfortable shoes, and be prepared to have a good time! Stop by for a quick and fun dance lesson!

Family-Friendly Events

April 11 – Sensory-Friendly Night at Harris Nature Center: Harris Nature Center invites families and those with sensory processing needs to a special after-hours evening event. Friendly staff will have the building open and exhibits altered to reduce sounds and lighting. The center will also provide a quiet room and have sensory kits on hand. 

April 19 – Easter Egg Hunt on the Capitol Lawn and Bunny Hop on the Square: Join Downtown Lansing for the 61st Annual Easter Egg Hunt on the Capitol Lawn and the Bunny Hop on the Square. From events like Egg Scramble to collecting candy and dancing, there is something for the whole family. Street parking is free in Downtown Lansing on Saturdays, and local businesses will be open and have a variety of deals and promotions during the event. 

April 19 – Butterfly Day: Come visit the Indoor 4-H Children’s Garden to celebrate another beautiful season of “Butterflies in the Garden.” Here, you will discover the incredible butterfly life-cycle, create butterfly gardens to take home, and more. 

April 27 – Kanin Wren’s Taylor Swift Experience: Visit Grewal Hall for a Swiftie party like no other! Immerse yourself in the world of Taylor Swift with live music, photo opportunities, and more for all ages. 

Farmers Markets

Recurring Saturdays – Holt Farmers Market: Visit the Delhi Township Fire Department for one of Michigan’s premiere indoor farmers markets. The Holt Farmers market serves as a space to support local farmers and food growers, local artisans, and provide locals the opportunity to purchase wholesome, locally produced foods. 

Every Other Saturday – Meridian Farmers Market: Visit the Meridian Farmers Market inside the Meridian Mall! The market vendors offer farm, food, and crafts, and a majority of the products sold are locally grown or made.

Unlock Your Professional Potential with MSU Development Resources  

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Your Professional Growth Starts Here 

At MSU, we are committed to supporting your professional development through a wide range of learning and professional development opportunities. Whether you’re looking to advance your career, build new skills, or stay up to date with industry trends, our office and partners offer a variety of resources to help you succeed. 

New and Featured Course Announcements 

  • MSU Ethics Certificate (On-Demand in ElevateU): The MSU Ethics Institute is proud to announce the availability of a new on-demand learning certificate program, hosted on the ElevateU platform. The MSU Ethics Certificate Program equips Spartans with the knowledge and skills to navigate ethical challenges in our professional roles. Participants will explore core ethical concepts, approaches to ethical reasoning, and how to align personal values with professional conduct.
  • Spartan Experience Relaunch: Coming this spring is a refreshed and redesigned Spartan Experience learning program. The Spartan Experience program is designed to foster a culture of excellence by prioritizing customer satisfaction and maintaining a strong service mindset. Additional details will be published on the HR website and included in our monthly newsletter as they become available. 
  • New Lunch & Learn: Making the Most of Your Professional Development: Join us for a session focused on making the most of professional growth opportunities at MSU. Topics include an overview of Educational and Tuition Assistance, elevateU, and Organization and Professional Development courses. Registration is available in the EBS Portal.  
    • Thursday, April 24, Virtual, Noon to 1:00 p.m. 
    • Tuesday, June 3, Virtual, Noon to 1:00 p.m. 
  • Mandatory Reporting Obligations for RVSM: Provided by the Prevention, Outreach, and Education Department (POE), presenters will review the university’s Mandatory Reporting for Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct and Title IX policy, including an overview of prohibited conduct under the RVSM policy.  
    • Thursday, March 27, Virtual, 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. 
    • Monday, April 21, Virtual, 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. 
    • Thursday, May 29, In-person, 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. 
  • Trauma-Informed Leadership: Join the Trauma Services Training Network to learn the definitions of trauma, its signs and symptoms, and the ways that trauma may manifest in the workplace. Review the principles of trauma-informed practices, with an emphasis on approaches for leadership, including practical, trauma-informed strategies for supervisors managing difficult situations. 
    • Thursday, June 12, Virtual, 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. 

Explore Our Professional Development Resources 

ElevateU Recommendations 

How to Access elevateU 

Access elevateU via this direct link or via the EBS Portal using the directions below.  

  1. Log in to the EBS Portal with your MSU NetID and password. 
  2. Click on My Career and Training in the top navigation. 
  3. Click on the elevateU tile to open the application in a new window. 

Mobile App Version: Additionally, elevateU is available on your mobile device with the Percipio App. After you download the app, type elevateU into the field and log in with your MSU NetID and password. 

Additional Learning Resources 

Looking for more ways to grow? Many MSU partner offices provide specialized training and development programs. Check out their offerings here: 

Take charge of your professional growth today! Visit the HR website to explore all available learning opportunities. 

Article written by HR’s Organization and Professional Development Team.

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