Tag: Professional Development

Job of The Week: Disability Services Manager

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This week’s featured job is a Disability Services Manager for University Health and Wellbeing (job posting 1109647). If you are interested in enhancing access, opportunity, and success for everyone at Michigan State University, this position may be for you.

The Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD), in partnership with University Health and Wellbeing, provides leadership and support for access, inclusion, and disability-related accommodations across Michigan State University. RCPD assists with student and employee success by collaborating through an interactive process to determine and implement accommodations, connecting individuals with resources and technology, and ensuring accommodations are carried out efficiently. Through its programs and campus partnerships, RCPD promotes access and inclusivity and upholds MSU’s commitment to equity, well-being, and full participation in the academic, work, and campus experience.

Working closely with the director and RCPD team, you will identify needs, develop technology solutions, and build funding and strategic partnerships to advance MSU’s leadership in accessibility. Additionally, you will work with students, staff, and faculty to determine specific technological options to best address the barriers and needs of the RCPD accommodation operations. You will also ensure efficient coordination and implementation of support services in this hybrid position.

This position requires knowledge equivalent to a college degree and a minimum of three years of experience working in disability services or a related student affairs area. You should bring extensive knowledge of assistive and information technologies, disability-related laws, and the use of assessments, interviews, and documentation to determine and implement effective accommodations. You should communicate clearly in writing and presentations, work collaboratively with diverse partners, and be able to operate independently with minimal guidance. Find a complete list of required and desired qualifications in the job posting.

Learn more about RCPD on the MSU University Health and Wellbeing website. To learn more or apply for this position, please visit the MSU Careers website. Applications require a resume and cover letter, and should be submitted by February 10.

February Events Round-Up

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It’s almost February, which means it is time to share February events! This month holds many virtual and in-person opportunities in the Greater Lansing area for you to check out. Click the links below to explore future events and register if required. 

Campus Events

Black History Month Events at MSU: Michigan State University celebrates Black History Month each year in February and, this year, recognizes its 50th anniversary as a federal designation. This month is dedicated to highlighting the U.S. history of Black and African American people and their contributions to society. Across campus this month, colleges, units and student organizations will commemorate Black and African American history, culture and community.

February 7, 17, and 22 – MSU Men’s Home Basketball Games: Come visit the Breslin Center and cheer on the Michigan State Spartans Men’s Basketball Team at a home game this February! 

February 15 and 21 – MSU Women’s Gymnastics Home Meets: Jenison Field in MSU’s campus is home of the MSU Women’s Gymnastics Team! Come watch a home meet this February to support the team.

February 19, 20, 27, and 28 – MSU Men’s Hockey Home Games: Visit the Munn Ice Arena to support the MSU Men’s Hockey Team this season!

February 20 – Broad Underground: Latinx Experimental Moving Image: This Broad Underground screening is part of the MSU Latinx Film Festival (LxFF), a biennial, curated film festival that serves the Great Lake State of Michigan with a special focus on the Latino/a/x communities of Michigan State University, the greater Lansing area, and the mid-Michigan region.

February 14-22 – Echoes From The Banks of the Red Cedar: Discover the hidden potential beneath the surface through an innovative collaboration involving Alexandria Davis, Kevin Jones, MSU Dance Minors, College of Music students, and MFA candidate Niloufar Fallahfar. With elements of dance, dialogue, music, and sculpture, it celebrates our collective ability to grow and transform, even after long periods of dormancy. 

February 22 – Lunar New Year Celebration Concert: Now in its fifth year, this annual event celebrates the Lunar New Year with a special guest performance by renowned Chinese musician Dr. Haiqiong Deng. Through a program titled Nature, Music, and Convergence, Deng presents a musical journey highlighting the expressive traditions of the zheng and qin, offering a rich reflection on cultural identity, memory, and innovation.

Learning Opportunities 

HR’s Organization and Professional Development Courses:

February 10, 11 and 12 – 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. By learning how to capture, clarify, and organize incoming requests, participants are more likely to make strategic decisions about where to invest their time and energy in ways that improve results and decrease missed deadlines, mistakes, and stress.

February 19 – Cultural Competency I: One of MSU’s guiding principles is to lead inclusively, actively, and intentionally to promote full participation and a sense of safety and belonging for all employees and staff. Join us in building cultural awareness and inclusiveness skills that strengthen cultural competence!

February 19 – 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.

February 26 – The Spartan Experience: This training is grounded in real MSU examples, team activities, and self-reflection. Whether you work in student services, facilities, finance, or academic support, you’ll walk away with tangible strategies to elevate your service mindset and make a positive impact, one interaction at a time.

MSU University Health and Wellbeing Options:

February 2, 9 and 16  – Informal Mindfulness:  Spartan Resilience Education invites you to learn informal mindfulness skills to help you find a sense of balance in your life.This class will teach you some basic, informal mindfulness skills that can help you center and find a sense of balance while you move through your busy days.

February 3, 10, 17, and 24 – Developing Emotional Resilience: This course gives you the opportunity to explore the difference between emotional literacy, emotional intelligence and emotional resilience, identify the difference between clean pain and dirty pain, explore the connection between emotional resilience and value guided living, and more. 

February 11 – WorkLife Wellbeing: Navigating Change in the Workplace: This session explores practical strategies for navigating change, both personally and within your team. Participants will learn how to build resilience, support others, and lead through uncertainty with clarity and confidence.

February 16 – Relaxing Under the Stars: Visit Abrams Planetarium for a peaceful experience of a guided constellation tour using the Digistar projection system, followed by calming music under a starry sky—perfect for stress relief and mindful relaxation.

Every Monday through April 27 – Desk Decompress: Gentle movements can help counter the effects of sitting at a desk and leave you feeling more relaxed. Take a few minutes to decompress while stretching and strengthening from head to toe. Most movements can be done sitting or standing. Balance exercises may be included.

MSU Retirement Plan Administrator Resources:

Fidelity Black History Month Toolkit: For Black History Month, Fidelity put together some tips, tools, and resources to help you save more, plan better, and create a financial legacy.

February 12 – TIAA: Yours, mine, ours: Finances for blended families: Figuring out how to handle the finances when bringing different families together is not always easy. In this webinar you’ll get insights on budgeting and cash flow management, Estate planning and legal considerations, retirement planning and long-term goals, and managing differing financial priorities. 

February 24 – TIAA: Managing your finances during and after a divorce: Divorce can bring significant financial changes. From splitting assets to updating beneficiaries and creating a new financial plan, this webinar provides tools to help you take control with clarity and confidence.

Family-Friendly Events

February 7 – Family Day: SEE: First Saturday means Family Day at the MSU Broad Art Museum! Make creative connections with our exhibitions through free hands-on and interactive family fun throughout the museum, and explore creative possibilities of light and darkness in connection with Jan Tichy: Darkness. 

Recurring weekly on Sunday, Friday, Saturday – 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.

February 20 – Night Out in Nature for Kids:  At Harris Nature, the kids will explore the trails with flashlights, enjoy nature activities, and meet live animals. Pizza dinner is included.

February 28 – LEGOpalooza: Visit the Impression 5 Science Center for LEGO®Palooza 2026, an annual fundraising extravaganza packed with LEGO®-themed activities for all your friends and family!

Greater Lansing Area Events

February 4 – FIERCE Women in Sports: FIERCE Women in Sports, created on the principle that Females Ignite Empower Respect Collaborate and Engage with one another to expand our networks and strengthen relationships, is honoring National Girls & Women in Sports Day by inviting women from across the Greater Lansing region to come together and celebrate the power of sport. Whether you’re an athlete, coach, mentor, supporter, or leader — this event is for all!

February 7 – Old Town Lansing Chocolate Walk: At the Old Town Chocolate Walk, you will travel the neighborhood and collect chocolates at each location to support the Old Town Commercial Association and contribute to keeping Lansing’s Old Town revitalized. With your ticket you receive a custom box, punch card, map, and chocolates at every stop!    

February 8 – Super Bowl Lansing 5k: Start this year’s Super Bowl Sunday with a fun and fast 5K run/walk through beautiful Downtown Lansing, right in front of the State Capitol! Get in a healthy, fun race—then head off to enjoy your Super Bowl party feeling great!  

February 15 – Chinese New Year Celebration: The Greater Lansing Chinese Association and Meridian Township will co-host the annual Chinese New Year Celebration at the Meridian Mall, providing an afternoon of cultural activities and fun for the community. 2026 welcomes the Year of the Horse!

Farmers Markets

1st, 3rd, and 5th Saturdays (January-April) – Meridian Farmers’ Indoor Market: The Market will move indoors to the JCPenney corridor of the Meridian Mall Starting on Saturday, November 29 and will run through April.

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.

Job of The Week: Research Security Compliance Analyst

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This week’s featured job is a Research Security Compliance Analyst II for MSU’s Office of Research Regulatory Support (job posting 1105356). If you are interested in supporting the Research Security Program with data analytics and partner with units across campus to ensure compliance with federal regulatory requirements related to international engagement, this may be the role for you. 

The Office of Research Regulatory Support (ORRS) provides leadership and support for research regulatory compliance across Michigan State University. ORRS facilitates research by assisting faculty, students, and staff with regulatory requirements and ensuring research activities are conducted in a safe, legal, and ethical manner. Through its regulatory programs and support units, ORRS promotes the responsible conduct of research, assures compliance with applicable regulations and university policies, protects research subjects and public health, and upholds the objectivity and integrity of research.

In this position, you will coordinate with the Office of Sponsored Programs on congruency checks between federal awards, biosketches, current and pending support disclosures, and commitment disclosures. You will work with the Office of Export Control and Trade Sanctions and Research Security Program to run restricted party screening and review analytics for visas, visitors, and other international engagement. Additionally, you will conduct security risk assessments for international engagements, outside activities, visiting scholars, and more. This position requires ample interaction with many units across MSU’s campus to align business processes and mitigate compliance risks. Find a complete list of responsibilities in the job posting.   

This position requires knowledge equivalent to a college degree in data analytics, legal studies, business administration, and three to five years of experience working in a university setting, with data analytics, and sponsored research. You should also have experience reading and interpreting complex regulatory requirements and running data analytics. Find a complete list of required and desired qualifications in the job posting. 

Learn more on the MSU ORRS website  and MSU Office of Research and Innovation website. To learn more or apply for this position, please visit the MSU Careers website. Applications require a resume and cover letter, and should be submitted by February 3.

Job of The Week: Office Assistant IV

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This week’s featured job is an Office Assistant IV for MSU Information Technology (IT) (job posting 1106959). If you are interested in providing administrative support to a large central IT department and enabling MSU’s excellence in education, research, and outreach, this may be the role for you.

MSU Information Technology provides the primary leadership for strategic, financial, and policy initiatives affecting IT across Michigan State University. MSU IT offers technology resources that support MSU’s mission of providing education, conducting research, advancing engagement, and supporting staff, faculty, students, alumni, and visitors alike at MSU. 

Working in a business partner model, you will work with MSU IT’s departments to provide support to executive directors, support staff, students, and guests in the operational run of the department. You will support the director and senior leadership with calendaring, scheduling, communications, and more. Additionally, you will maintain departmental records, process and track financial processing, and provide reception services in the Office of the CIO. Find a complete list of responsibilities in the job posting.

This position requires knowledge equivalent to two to three years of college or technical school, and one to three years of related or progressively more expansive work experience in maintaining ledgers, departmental operations, and employment. It is desired that you have experience with SharePoint and spreadsheets, large meeting and event coordination, and strong attention to detail. Find a complete list of required and desired qualifications in the job posting.

Learn more on the MSU IT website. To learn more or apply for this position, please visit the MSU Careers website. Applications require a resume and cover letter, and should be submitted by January 27.

Job of The Week: Nurse Practitioner

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This week’s featured job is a Nurse Practitioner for the College of Human Medicine (job posting 1100444). If you are interested in caring for patients in skilled nursing and assisted living facilities within the Lansing community, this may be the role for you.

The College of Human Medicine is dedicated to educating exemplary physicians, discovering new knowledge, and providing service both at home and abroad. By providing outstanding care and promoting the inclusion and needs of all people, the College of Human Medicine fosters an environment that enhances its community. MSU Health Care Family Medicine is a practice of mainly family physicians, nurse practitioners, and staff who provide the full spectrum of primary care services for adults and children at two locations within the MSU Clinical Center.

In this position, you will be a part of a group of geriatric physicians and nurse practitioners who deliver high-quality care to older adults and many care facilities across Lansing. You will work closely with geriatricians in a team-based care model, delivering continuity of care, acute care, preventive care, and hospital discharge management. You will provide a welcoming environment for residents and students in all patient care settings. 

This position requires knowledge equivalent to one to two years of post-bachelor’s degree work, such as a master’s degree in nursing, or one to three years of work experience in direct nursing care. The position also requires possession of a current license to practice as a Registered Nurse and specialty certification as a Nurse Practitioner in the State of Michigan. Find a complete list of required and desired qualifications in the listing. 

Learn more on the College of Human Medicine website. To learn more or apply for this position, please visit the MSU Careers website. Applications require a CV/cover letter and should be submitted by January 13.

New Year, New Professional Development Courses

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As we step into 2026, it’s the perfect time to set your professional development goals—and we’ve got exciting opportunities to help you thrive this year. 

New or Updated Courses for 2026: 

  • Spartan Excellence Learning Series on January 27 and 28: Through a sequence of skill-building modules, participants will learn how to define problems, analyze processes, design improvements, and implement sustainable solutions. By integrating Lean methods within the broader Operational Excellence framework, the series helps create lasting practices that enhance efficiency, transparency, and the overall Spartan Experience.   
  • Travel Expense Report Processing on March 10: Learn the essentials of submitting accurate travel expense reports at MSU. This session will walk you through the required documentation, Concur tips, policy highlights, and best practices for timely reimbursement. 
  • Engaging and Empowering Teams on March 11: Leaders can learn evidence-based strategies to engage and empower employees, understand employees’ perspectives, and reflect on and assess your own supervisory practices. 
  • Mental Health First Aid on March 18: This evidence-based training that teaches participants how to recognize the signs and symptoms of a mental health crisis and help someone who may be experiencing one. 
  • Five Behaviors: Personal Development on April 16: Based on the book The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni, this course helps individuals become better teammates. This program is for individual contributors. Using activities, videos, and discussion, participants learn the behaviors that will enable them to become better teammates. 

Upcoming Courses in January or February 

  • Crucial Influence  |  Virtual  |  January 27, 28, and 29  |  9 to 11:30 a.m. 
  • Getting Things Done  |  Virtual  |  February 10, 11, and 12 |  9 to 11:30 a.m. 

You can find all of HR Organization and Professional Development’s courses on the HR website. This is the perfect time to reflect on your goals and plan for the year ahead. What skills do you want to build? What challenges are you ready to tackle? With so many opportunities on the horizon, we’re here to help you make 2026 your most impactful year yet! 

Job of The Week: Executive Secretary II

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This week’s featured job is an Executive Secretary II for the College of Veterinary Medicine (job posting 1100619). If you are interested in providing support and assistance to the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, this may be the role for you.

The MSU College of Veterinary Medicine prides itself on diversity, innovation, integrity, compassion, and collaboration. Their vision states, “Together we will be the destination for teaching, innovation, care, and service,” with a mission of learning, discovering, healing, and protecting. The Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL), a service unit within the College of Veterinary Medicine, is a full-service and accredited laboratory for companion animals, horses, livestock, laboratory, zoo, and wildlife species. Additionally, the lab performs more than one million tests per year on samples submitted from all around Michigan, the United States, and more than 25 countries. 

In this position, you will perform administrative support to the Executive Director of the VDL and interact with chairs, directors, faculty, administrators, professional veterinary organizations, and more. The Executive Secretary represents the VDL and the College of Veterinary Medicine in a professional manner. You will review, direct, and draft responses to the Director’s mail, manage the Director’s calendar, develop meeting agendas, and coordinate routine lab activities. Additionally, you will aid in laboratory operations and help with customer and stakeholder interactions. Find a complete list of responsibilities in the job posting. 

This position requires knowledge equivalent to that of a high school education with five to eight years of related work experience. You should have experience working in a laboratory environment with safety and security measures, be collaborative by nature, remain calm under pressure, and have effective written and verbal communication. 

Learn more on the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory website. To learn more or apply for this position, please visit the MSU Careers website. Applications require a resume/CV, cover letter, and three professional referees and should be submitted by January 13.

Research Assistant II, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, December 30 application due at careers.msu.edu

Job of The Week: Research Assistant II

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This week’s featured job is a Research Assistant II for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (job posting 1098880). If you are interested in working with the MSU Field Crops Pathology Program and assisting with disease-focused field research across Michigan, this may be the role for you.

The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources provides students with an academically challenging environment where they put their knowledge and skills into practice, not only on campus but around the globe. The Chilvers Field Crops Pathology Program, part of the MSU Field Crops Pathology Program,  investigates diseases of soybean, corn, wheat, barley, and dry bean—combining field and laboratory research to advance disease management strategies and improve crop productivity. The program uses various new technologies and GPS-guided equipment and works closely with industry and academic collaborators. 

In this position, you will work closely with the field and laboratory teams to organize, design, plant, maintain, and harvest field research trials. You will be responsible for collecting and analyzing samples and data, coordinating and conducting disease scouting, plant vigor assessments, and treatment evaluations, among other duties. Find a complete list of responsibilities in the job posting.

This position requires knowledge equivalent to that of a four-year degree, preferably in Plant Pathology, Agronomy, Entomology, or other plant-related fields. You should have three to five years of work experience in overseeing research projects and laboratory operations, operating and maintaining laboratory equipment, performing specialized and challenging analytical techniques, and designing research strategies. Effective communication, organizational, and teamwork skills, along with a commitment to safety and a passion for field-based plant disease research, are desired. 
Learn more on the MSU Field Crop Pathology website. To learn more about or apply for this position, please visit the MSU Careers website. Applications require a cover letter, resume, three professional references, and two letters of reference, and should be submitted by December 30.

Screenshots of calm health app on mobile devices

Introducing Calm Health: A New Mindfulness Resource for MSU Employees 

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MSU is committed to staff and faculty success, which includes helping employees and their families care for their mental, physical, and emotional well-being. We are excited to share that Calm Health, a mindfulness app designed to support mental and physical health, is now available at no cost to MSU employees and their dependents aged thirteen and older who are enrolled in an MSU health plan. Calm Health is designed to help you stress less, sleep better, and live more mindfully. 

What Does Calm Health Offer? 

Calm Health includes self-guided programs developed by psychologists to address specific mental health symptoms like anxiety and depression, physical health conditions like diabetes and cancer, and life stages like parenting, retirement, and menopause. Based on your goals and brief in-app screenings, you will receive personalized recommendations to support your health journey. Resources include: 

  • Sleep support to help you unwind  
  • Guided meditations 
  • Breathing exercises 
  • Calming music and soundscapes 
  • Mindfulness videos 
  • Daily self-guided activities  
  • Evidence-based clinical programs  

How Can You Access Calm Health?  

No credit card, payment information, or subscription needed! Calm Health is free to all MSU employees, and their dependents (age 13 +) enrolled in an MSU health plan. Start your Calm Health journey through any of these options: 

  1. Register Using the Direct Link: Register for Calm Health using this link. 
  1. Download the Calm Health App: Search the Calm Health app from the App Store and Google Play and use the access code: “BCBSMI” during the registration process. This code is not case sensitive. 
  1. Through Your Blue Cross Member Account: Login to your Blue Cross member account and click on Find Care. Scroll down to Find Behavioral Health Support and click on the Find Help button. Click on the Live and Work Well link. Scroll down to The Calm Health app and click on the Learn about Calm Health link. 

Building healthy daily habits that support your mental and physical wellbeing doesn’t have to be time consuming or costly, and Calm Health is the perfect first step. Explore Calm Health for yourself, choose tools that fit your lifestyle, and feel more mindful and balanced every day!  

overhead view of a person taking notes while working at a laptop.

Professional Goals and the Resources to Help You Reach Them

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For many, the start of a new year brings a desire to set new goals – both professionally and personally. As you reflect on the past year, try to pinpoint areas you’d like to work on. Check out What’s Your Plan: Six Steps to Align Your Goals with What’s Important to You if you don’t know where to start. You’ll learn how creating a personal strategic plan can provide a “vision and structure for your professional life and an anchor for you to connect with during periods of change.”

Review the common work-related goals below to see if any resonate with you, and use the articles and learning opportunities provided by HR’s Organization and Professional Development (OPD) department to help you reach them.

As you think about what you want to work on in the coming year and beyond, consider tying them to your Performance Excellence goals (for support staff). For more information about how to set yourself up for success as you identify goals, check out this When SMART Meets HARD: Setting Goals that Matter article.