Job of The Week: Physical Therapist Assistant

This week, MSU Human Resources is featuring a job posting as a Physical Therapy Assistant for MSU Health Care (job posting 959405). If you are interested in helping patients improve their mobility and functional abilities, this may be the position for you.

From joint ventures and partnerships to leveraging expansive clinical research and expert educational strengths for our patients, MSU Health Care focuses on providing healing and caring to all. 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 work under the supervision of a physical therapist to help patients improve their functional abilities and mobility in both recovery and everyday needs. You will provide hands-on treatment to patients and assist with therapeutic exercises. Additionally, you will be responsible for supporting patients of all ages in their recovery process. Work hours for this role will vary as necessary to accommodate clinic operations. 

The education, experience, and skills desired for this role include an associate’s degree in Physical Therapist Assistant from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). You should also have six months to one year of related or progressively more expansive work experience in administering physical therapy treatments. 

Learn more about MSU Health Care on their website. To learn more about this position or apply, please visit the MSU Careers website. Applications require a resume, cover letter, and a Valid State of Michigan Physical Therapist Assistant License and should be submitted by February 19.

February Events Round – Up

If you and your family are looking for events in February, you have come to the right place! February 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

All MonthBlack History Month Events: Michigan State University celebrates Black History Month each year throughout February. This month is dedicated to highlighting the U.S. history of Black and African American people. Colleges, units, and student organizations will host commemorative events across campus.

February 1Family Day: Grow: The first Saturday of the month means Family Day at the MSU Broad Art Museum! Join from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. to make creative connections, explore sculpting art, and learn about how food grows at this free event! Registration for this event is highly encouraged. 

February 1 – 21 – These Are For You, I Hope This Helps: Ring Shouts and Standards: Join us at the RCAH LookOut Gallery on the 2nd floor of Snyder Hall for the 14th Annual Perspectives in African-American Experience: Emerging Visions Residency and Exhibition featuring the work of artists Darryl D’Angelo Terrell and Samiya Bashir. 

February 10 – 14Love Data Week: Celebrate all things data during Love Data Week, Feb. 10-14. Michigan State University is participating in Love Data Week by hosting data events and educational opportunities geared toward faculty, staff, and students. Learn more on the Institutional Research website.

February 8, 11 and 18MSU Men’s Basketball at Home:  Join us at the Breslin Center to watch MSU Men’s Basketball play. Visit the website for ticket information and to see the full season schedule.

February 11 – 16 – MJ The Musical: Michael Jackson’s unique and unparalleled artistry is coming to the Wharton Center! Join us to see this multi Tony-Award winning new musical centered around the 1992 Dangerous World Tour to get a rare view of the creative mind and spirit that launched Michael Jackson’s career into legendary status. Tickets are available for purchase here.

February 13, 20, and 27 Slavery to Freedom: An American Odyssey: MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine Annual Dr. Willian G. Anderson Lecture Series gives the community the chance to interact with multicultural leaders from all areas. Hear from three distinguished speakers at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts and be sure to secure your tickets here.

February 15 – June 29Nabil Kanso: Echoes of War Exhibition: This exhibit, located at the MSU Broad Art Museum, follows the artist Nabil Kanso’s mission to create awareness about historical events and show solidarity with those suffering globally. Read more about the exhibit and get your free tickets here. 

Family – Friendly Events 

February 1 – 28Snow Tubing at Hawk Island County Park: The Hawk Island Snow Tubing Hill is excited to welcome families and friends to embrace the winter season and enjoy some tubing! Warm-up stations, concessions, and rental tubes are available for purchase. Check out ticket pricing and available sessions here!

Recurring Sundays February 2 – 23 Abrams Planetarium February 2025 Children’s Feature Show: Join children’s entertainer Fred Penner in exploring things from the colors of the rainbow to the reason for the seasons through song and immersive environments. Children are encouraged to participate while learning about the planets, constellations, the moon, and more. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online here. 

Greater Lansing Area Events 

February 21 – 23 – Michigan Nordic Fire Festival 2025: The Michigan Nordic Fire Festival, held in Charlotte, Michigan, is an event held during the last weekend of February featuring fun activities including battles, combat performances, archery, sled races, and more. There will also be chances to participate in contests, try new foods, and more for the whole family. Check out our website for times, parking information, and location details.

February 27th – Lansing Symphony Orchestra at the Robin Theatre: Visit the Robin Theatre in Lansing for the unique, intimate concerts of contemporary chamber music from the Lansing Symphony Orchestra. Visit the website for more information on the Lansing Symphony Orchestra and to secure tickets now! 

February 22ndOld Town 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! Secure your tickets here.

Farmers Markets

Recurring SaturdaysHolt 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. Be sure to check out the website for more information! 


Every Other SaturdayMeridian 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.

Job of The Week: Event Coordinator

This week, MSU Human Resources is featuring a job posting as a Project and Event Coordinator for the College of Engineering (job posting 1015740). If you are interested in event coordination, national travel, administrative support, payment and registration management, and logistical support, this may be the role for you.

The MSU College of Engineering prides itself on developing practice-ready engineers and computer scientists, solving complex transdisciplinary problems, driving economic development, and providing innovative and engaging teaching and a culturally rich and inclusive environment. With many research, educational, outreach, and engagement goals on the horizon, the College of Engineering is recognized as a leader in solving global problems and supporting students and alumni. 

In this position, you will plan and execute logistics for conferences, workshops, and seminars, collaborate with planning committees and hotels to manage travel and vendor exhibits and provide on-site support. You will arrange air travel and car rentals, process reimbursements, manage office supplies, coordinate payments for events and training, and assist with processing conference registrations and payments. You may travel up to four to eight times per year to support NCPP conferences and training programs. 

The education, experience, and skills desired for this role include a degree in Public Relations, Communications, Business, or a related area, as well as one to three years of related and more expansive work experience in managing and planning special events. Experience in word processing, database, spreadsheet, desktop publishing, and presentation software is required. You should be organized, skilled at managing events, and have experience collaborating with diverse stakeholders and MSU financial systems. 

Learn more about the College of Engineering. To learn more about this position or if you are interested in applying, please visit the MSU Careers website. Applications require a resume, cover letter, and three professional references, and should be submitted by February 18.

Job of The Week: VDL Client Service Center Supervisor

This week, MSU Human Resources is featuring a job posting as a Veterinary Diagnostic Lab (VDL) Client Service Center Supervisor for the College of Veterinary Medicine (job posting 1015732). If you are interested in supervising and managing the VDL and its support staff, this may be the position 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 Lab, a service unit in the College of Veterinary Medicine, is a full-service and accredited laboratory for all 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 manage a workload of five support staff and one temporary on-call employee who answers phones, provides clerical support for laboratory sections, and rotates through the reception areas. You will also provide high-quality, consistent customer service internally and externally and manage VDL client complaints. Additionally, you will monitor call volume, create monthly schedules, manage time off requests, interview, hire and train temporary personnel, and collect and maintain records and data. 

The education, experience, and skills desired for this role include two to three years of college or technical school experience with coursework in a field related to the job and one to three years of related work experience. You should be organized, detail and team-oriented, relaxed, customer service focused, and a problem solver. Experience in a laboratory setting requiring specific safety procedures is desired. 

Learn more about the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Diagnostic Lab. To learn more about this position or if you are interested in applying online, please visit the MSU Careers website for more information. Applications require a resume, cover letter, and three professional references, and should be submitted by January 28.

Job of The Week: Career Services Coordinator

This week, MSU Human Resources is featuring a job posting as a Career Services Coordinator for the Student Development and Leadership Department’s Career Services Network (job posting 1013039). If you are interested in providing career advising to students and recent alumni from all areas of campus, this may be the role for you.

Career Services Network’s mission is to lead MSU in providing valued career resources and connections that empower students and allow them to grow professionally. The Career Services Network helps students and recent alumni (within 2 years of graduation) declare their major, explore career fields and industries, apply for part-time jobs and internships, prepare for interviews, and more through one-on-one virtual and in-person advising sessions.

In this position, you will support the development of early-stage career planning and education through tabling events, programs, presentations, and resource development. You will provide career advising to Spartans and administer career assessments in individual and group settings utilizing the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Strong Interest Inventory, and Focus 2. Additionally, you will partner with colleagues across campus to deliver joint programming including general and career exposure workshops, and provide referrals to specific college career staff as students progress in their career paths. The Career Services Coordinator will promote the Career Services Network at large-scale events, including orientation and admissions, and connect students and alumni with staff and administrators for further resources.

The education, experience, and skills desired for this role include a master’s degree in education, counseling, or a related field, as well as one to three years of related work experience with university students in an advising role or human resources. You should have excellent communication and customer service skills and the ability to build relationships with other units and departments at MSU. You should be willing to take initiative and function as a team player with a common goal in this role. 


Learn more about the Career Services Network here. To learn more about this position or if you are interested in applying online, please visit the MSU Careers website for more information. Applications require a resume, cover letter, and professional references, and should be submitted by January 28.

Did You Sign Up for an FSA for 2025? Find Tips and Resources to Get Started.

Welcome to 2025 and your flexible spending account (FSA) funds! If you signed up for a 2025 FSA during Open Enrollment last October, you’re on your way to saving money on out-of-pocket medical and/or dependent care expenses. MSU’s FSA plan administrator is HealthEquity/WageWorks. If this is your first time participating in an FSA, make sure you register for your online HealthEquity/WageWorks account.

If you have a Dependent Care FSA, you can use pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible dependent care services, such as child or adult daycare, preschool, and before/after school programs. Find a complete list of eligible dependent care expenses here.

If you have a Health Care FSA, you can purchase various products and services with pre-tax dollars – which means it’s like a 30% off sale on eligible expenses. 1Find a complete list of eligible health care expenses here. Some items2 you may not know about include:

  • Allergy medication
  • Anti-bacterial hand sanitizer
  • Bandages
  • Braces
  • Breastfeeding classes
  • Cough syrup
  • Eyeglasses
  • Feminine Care Products
  • First-aid kits
  • Hearing aids
  • Humidifier/air filter
  • Pain relievers
  • Pregnancy tests
  • Prescriptions
  • Smoking cessation drugs
  • Sunscreen
  • Thermometer

To make shopping for eligible health care FSA expenses easier, visit the online FSA Store for the largest selection of guaranteed FSA-eligible products.

Managing Your FSA Account

Managing your HealthEquity/WageWorks account is quick and easy with the EZ Receipts App. You’ll love the convenience of submitting claims, uploading receipts, and checking account balances directly from your phone.

What if I still have funds left over from my 2024 FSA?

Not to worry – if you still have funds left over from your 2024 FSA, you have until March 15, 2025, to use these funds and until April 30, 2025, to submit receipts to substantiate these claims.

How Do I Sign Up for an FSA?

Benefits-eligible employees are eligible to enroll in an FSA during Open Enrollment in October each year or if they experience a qualifying life event.

Questions? For more detailed information contact HealthEquity customer service directly at 877-924-3967 or visit the HealthEquity/WageWorks website.

1 Assumes a combined tax rate of 30%, including FICA, state, and federal income taxes. Actual amounts may vary.

2 Some items may require a doctor’s prescription or other documentation from your doctor. Please see your account details for more information.

Announcing the 2025 New Leader Development Series and Course Catalog

As we step into 2025, it’s the perfect time to set your professional development goals—and we’ve got exciting opportunities to help you thrive this year.

The 2025 New Leader Development Series is Here!
Registration for our signature leadership program opens this Thursday, January 9, at Noon, and closes Tuesday, January 14, at 3 PM. If you’re ready to take your leadership skills to the next level, this program is for you.

Acceptance announcements will be made on January 15, and we’ll kick things off together on Tuesday, January 21. Spaces are limited, registration applications will be completed via a link posted on the course web page.

Explore the 2025 Course Catalogue
We’re also excited to share that our 2025 course catalog is now live. While only courses running January through June are currently listed, more offerings will be added throughout the year. Whether you’re looking to sharpen specific skills or explore something entirely new, our courses are designed to support your growth. Check out what’s available now here and remember, the Educational Assistance Program may be available to you.

Notable upcoming January opportunities

Start Planning Your 2025 Journey
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 2025 your most impactful year yet.

Course announcements will continue to be shared monthly via the OPD Newsletter.

We hope to see you in one of our programs soon.

Job of The Week: Farm to Youth Network Coordinator

This week, MSU Human Resources is featuring a job posting as a Farm to Youth Network Coordinator for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (job posting 1008512). If you are interested in collaborative work with the Center for Regional Food Systems (CRFS) to develop regionally integrated and sustainable food systems, 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 Center for Regional Food Systems’ vision is a thriving economy, equity, and sustainability for Michigan, the country, and the planet with a mission of engaging the people of Michigan in applied research and education to develop sustainable food systems. 

In this position, you will collaborate with statewide stakeholders both virtually and in-person to grow partnerships in early care and education and farm-to-school programs. You will actively engage in outreach, technical assistance, and collaboration with CRFS colleagues and partners. You will manage newsletter communications across networks, work with the Communications Team to manage social media, write grant proposals and reports, pursue future grant funding, and attend quarterly staff retreats and workshops. Additionally, you will build connections to improve school spaces in partnership with the Lake Michigan School Food Systems Innovation Hub Grant Technical Assistance Fund.  

The education, experience, and skills desired for this role include a degree in Educational Theory and Methodology or a similar area and one to three years of work experience. You should have experience overseeing conferences, organizing training materials, budgeting and maintaining records, and supervising.. Experience in Farm to Youth, Farm to Institution, or food systems-related programming is desired. You should be willing to do minimal traveling, demonstrate strong leadership and teamwork skills, and have a high ability to self-direct and balance a combination of these tasks. 

Learn more about the College of Agriculture here and the Center for Regional Food Systems here. To learn more about this position or if you are interested in applying online, please visit the Careers @ MSU website for more information. Applications with a resume, cover letter, and references should be submitted by December 3rd. 

Professional Goals and the Resources to Help You Reach Them

For many, the start of a new year brings a desire to set new goals – both professionally and personally. As you think about 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.

Job of the Week: Development Associate

This week, MSU Human Resources is featuring a job posting as a Development Associate for University Advancement (job posting 40001226). The Development Associates Program in University Advancement provides entry-level positions allowing the university to recruit and hire individuals with the skills to be successful fundraisers. If you are interested in fundraising, this may be the role for you.

University Advancement looks to the future with optimism and a growth mindset, and its mission is to advance the Spartan impact. By securing support through talent, service, gifts, advocacy, and more, University Advancement’s main goal is to create long-lasting connections with the Spartan community, building a better tomorrow for MSU. 

In this position, you will work within an environment heavily concentrated on mentorship and professional coaching to teach the art and science of fundraising at MSU. You will coordinate prospect identification efforts with college and unit teams, annual giving, and alumni engagement officers while building and managing a development portfolio. You will cultivate, solicit, and steward leadership annual and entry-level major gift prospects, and meet first-year fundraising benchmarks. Additionally, you will collaborate with the annual giving team to follow up on leads and ensure timely and efficient engagement with potential donors. You will also be responsible for developing personalized fundraising approaches to achieve goals and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders. 

The education, experience, and skills desired for this role include a degree in communications, public relations, or marketing and up to six months of progressively more responsible work in professional fundraising or related fields. You should have strong organizational, interpersonal, written, oral, and communication skills. Additionally, both in-state and out-of-state travel is required throughout the year. 
Learn more about University Advancement here. To learn more about this position or if you are interested in applying online, please visit the MSU Careers website for more information. Applications require a resume and cover letter and should be submitted by January 2nd.