Performance development cycle, see article for text details.

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

Published on by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

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  and 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.

(left to right) Murtaza Lokhandwala, HR IT Assistant Director, Donna Donovan, HR Associate Vice President, Dana Bridges, BI Manager, Rajitha Mawilmada, Information Technologist.

Human Resources Represented at the Inclusive Excellence Awards

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We are proud to have MSU Human Resources (MSU HR) and the work of our outstanding staff presented at this year’s Inclusive Excellence Awards, hosted by the Office for Inclusive Excellence and Impact. The Inclusive Excellence Awards recognize the exceptional and innovative contributions of students, staff and faculty in advancing inclusive excellence in areas like teaching, research, programming, service, community outreach, and organizational change.

Nichole Ovenhouse, Educational Program Coordinator for MSU HR’s Organization and Professional Development team, was recognized as a partner within the Education Team, which was instrumental in ensuring access, sense of belonging, and dialogue as an essential part of MSU’s campus community.

Here’s what Nichole had to say about her work:

“It truly was an honor to be recognized as a campus partner of the Education Team at the Inclusive Excellence Awards.

I believe my role, and our department’s role within HR, has been to help provide a safe and inclusive space for individuals to attend our programs. Specifically related to this award though, my work has been to provide support and strategic partnership with the Office for Inclusive Excellence and Impact. By combining our program management infrastructure, registration system, and marketing, with OIEI content, I have been able to help elevate and make available to employees the Implicit Bias Series as well as one offering of MSU Dialogues.

This recognition only further proves how important this work is, and our hope is to continue to create and support programs that continue to bring this content to individuals across campus.”

MSU HR’s Business Intelligence and Data Analytics Team, represented at the event by Dana Bridges, BI Manager, and Rajitha Mawilmada, Information Technologist, was recognized as a partner within the Equal Opportunity Team, which ensures equal employment opportunity; identifies additional resources to support institutional compliance; and monitors human resources and personnel activities for compliance with MSU policies.

Here’s what Dana had to say about her team’s work and being recognized:

“IEI recognized the BI & Data Analytics team for our work in developing and enhancing HR reports and dashboards that support compliance efforts and inform talent planning. This work helps enable more comprehensive analysis and data-informed workforce planning aligned with the MSU 2030 Strategic Plan, particularly the Access, Opportunity & Excellence priority.

It was really meaningful being recognized. Our job is to deliver accurate and useful data and analytics, but we don’t always get to see how it’s applied in practice. Being at the event provided a valuable reminder of how our work contributes to broader institutional goals and supports our campus community.

This experience made me even more excited about the direction we’re heading. There are many opportunities to continue growing our analytics capabilities in ways that better support our campus partners. I’m especially interested in continuing to build relationships, understanding different perspectives and needs, and using that to shape reporting that’s useful and actionable. This recognition reinforced that our work is making a difference and motivates me to keep growing.”

These teams and individuals were recognized at the reception on April 3. Enjoy these photos that captured the moment:

  • Group photo of the award winners, including HR's Dana Bridges.
    Group photo of the award winners, including HR’s Dana Bridges.
  • Dana Bridges, BI Manager, Rajitha Mawilmada, Information Technologist.
    (left) Dana Bridges, BI Manager and Rajitha Mawilmada, Information Technologist.
  • (left to right) Murtaza Lokhandwala, HR IT Assistant Director, Donna Donovan, HR Associate Vice President, Dana Bridges, BI Manager, Rajitha Mawilmada, Information Technologist.
    (left to right) Murtaza Lokhandwala, HR IT Assistant Director, Donna Donovan, HR Associate Vice President, Dana Bridges, BI Manager, Rajitha Mawilmada, Information Technologist.
  • Sparty mascot sitting on the awards stage with the event speakers.
    Sparty sitting on the awards stage with the event speakers.
  • MSU President Kevin M. Guskiewicz speaking during the ceremony.
    MSU President Kevin M. Guskiewicz speaking during the ceremony.
  • MSU Provost Laura Lee McIntyre speaking during the ceremony.
    MSU Provost Laura Lee McIntyre speaking during the ceremony.
  • MSU Vice President and Chief Inclusion Officer Jabbar R. Bennett speaking during the ceremony.
    MSU Vice President and Chief Inclusion Officer Jabbar R. Bennett speaking during the ceremony.

May Events Round-Up

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

May Events Round-Up 

It is warming up this spring in East Lansing, and that means it is time for May events! This month holds many virtual and in-person opportunities in the Greater Lansing area for you to check out to celebrate the start of the new season.

Campus Events

Various dates in May: Abrams Planetarium: Black Holes: Discover the fascinating world of black holes and galaxy evolution in this engaging planetarium experience, where cutting-edge science meets stunning visuals. Learn how researchers combine observations, simulations, and innovative tools to explore black hole formation, presented in a way that’s both impressive and easy to understand. 

Various Dates in May: Home Baseball and Softball Games: Come cheer on the Michigan State Spartans Baseball and Softball teams at a home game this May! 

May 16 and 17: Annual Spring Arts & Crafts Show: Join UAB at the Annual Spring Arts and Crafts Show at the MSU Union Grounds (49 Abbot Rd). Enjoy one-of-a-kind, handmade products from hundreds of local artists and small businesses. 

May 27 – Beal Footprints: Beal as a Living Landscape: Join a guided tour of W. J. Beal Botanical Garden and explore its evolving landscape from pre-settlement days to its future vision. Led by Alan Prather, this talk highlights 150 years of changing relationships with the land and the garden’s enduring mission to serve the community. 

Learning Opportunities 

May 7: TIAA More Psychology: Beyond the Numbers: Money decisions are often driven less by logic and more by emotions, habits, and personal experiences. This webinar explores how mindset shapes financial behavior and offers practical insights to help you build confidence, understand spending patterns, and align your choices with long-term goals.

May 7 – Taming the Email Beast: Take control of your inbox in this virtual workshop designed to help professionals manage overwhelming email with a proven system for organization, prioritization, and reducing clutter. Learn strategies that work across platforms like Outlook and Gmail to boost productivity, improve communication, and feel more in control of your daily workflow.

May 12 – The Power of Habit: Learn how habits are created and how to replace undesirable habits with productive ones. You will learn how to spot your habit loop, turn bad days into good data, and create habits that get the results you want.

May 13: Women Talk Money: 6 steps to help maximize your retirement savings: Saving for retirement can be especially important for women due to unique financial challenges and longer life expectancies. This session provides a clear six-step approach to help you understand your options, build confidence, and maximize your retirement savings.

May 19 – Trauma Informed Leadership: Join the Trauma Services Training Network to learn the definitions of trauma, the signs and symptoms of trauma, 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.

May 19: TIAA Finance for New Grads: Starting your career is exciting, but building a strong financial foundation early is key to long-term success. This session covers essential skills like understanding job benefits, managing spending, choosing between pre-tax and Roth contributions, and building an emergency fund. 

May 19 and 20 – Spartan Excellence Learning Series: This two-day program equips employees with practical skills to improve processes, solve problems, and build a culture of continuous improvement aligned with the university’s mission and strategic goals. Through hands-on modules, learn Lean principles, structured problem-solving, and strategies to implement sustainable, collaborative changes that enhance efficiency and the overall Spartan experience.

(4 Day Program) May 20, May 27 June 3, and June 10 – Breaking Free From Stress: This course explores how thoughts and perceptions shape our experiences of stress, anxiety, and life challenges, both at work and at home. Participants learn practical principles for becoming less reactive, breaking unhelpful thought patterns, and building greater resilience, self-awareness, and steadiness through change.

May 21 – Everything DiSC Behavior Styles at Work: This course introduces Everything DiSC as a simple tool for understanding different behavioral styles and improving communication and working relationships. Participants complete required pre-work before attending the virtual session.

May 27: How a 529 can fit into your education savings strategy: This webinar explains how 529 plans work, who they’re for, and how they can support your education savings goals at any stage. It also covers investment options, contribution strategies, updated qualified expenses, and how a 529 fits into your broader plan for saving and investing for your children’s future.

Family-Friendly Events

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.

May 2: Family Day: Imagine:  First Saturday means Family Day at the MSU Broad Art Museum! Make creative connections with exhibitions through free hands-on and interactive family fun throughout the museum. 

May 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 – Abrams Planetarium Family Show: What are Stars? Discover what we’re made of and where it all began in this immersive show at the Abrams Planetarium. Journey through our cosmic origins, from the formation of hydrogen to the creation of carbon and life’s essential molecules, narrated by Andy Serkis.

May 24 – World Turtle Day at the Potter Park Zoo: Celebrate World Turtle Day at Potter Park Zoo with a fun, family-friendly event featuring educational stations, interactive activities, and hands-on learning about turtles. Included with standard admission, this special day highlights the importance of protecting turtles and their role in our ecosystems.

Greater Lansing Area Events

Various Dates in May – Lansing Lugnuts Home Game: Head to Jackson Field and “Go Nuts” cheering on the Lansing Lugnuts, where every game brings a fun and lively atmosphere. There’s always something exciting happening at the ballpark for fans of all ages.

May 16 and 17 – East Lansing Art Festival: The East Lansing Art Festival celebrates over 60 years of bringing high-quality art to the streets of East Lansing. Its mission is to foster community while promoting appreciation for art, culture, and creativity throughout the greater Lansing region.

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. 

Saturdays in May – Meridian Farmers’ Market: The summer schedule is here for the Meridian Farmers Market! Stop by every Saturday in May for farm-fresh ingredients, specialty foods ,handmade crafts and more.

Recurring Wednesdays – The Allen Farmer’s Market: Visit the Allen Farmers Market in Lansing for seasonal produce, artisan baked goods, gluten-free baked goods, pasture raised eggs, dry beans, fresh, delectable cheeses, hot and ready-to-eat foods, local meat and fish and fun activities. 

Celebrate Earth Day at MSU!

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

Earth Day falls on April 22, and is a great reminder to give a little extra care to the planet. While many of us already incorporate sustainable habits into our daily routines, this day is the perfect opportunity to take it a step further. Whether you’re at home or heading into the office, explore these simple tips and resources to live a little greener:

Use the MSU Recycling Center: The MSU Recycling Center always leads the charge for reusable materials at MSU. The center is open seven days a week for drop-off of materials. These materials include books, cardboard, glass, metal, plastics, and more. Read the Public Drop-off Recycling Center Guide to find their hours and what and how to drop things off. 

Join the Waste Warriors: The Surplus Store & Recycling Center’s Waste Warriors program cultivates waste reduction and the utilization of waste as a resource by training and empowering the MSU community to promote these practices among their peers. By becoming a Waste Warrior, you join a group of like-minded staff and faculty from across campus who each pledge to be part of the solution that will lead MSU down the path to zero waste. 

Shop at the MSU Surplus Store: The MSU Surplus Store and Recycling Center rethinks the way the MSU Community disposes of its used materials. Their innovative program allows us to reduce the amount of university material that goes to landfills, keeping MSU green. Shop from a variety of items, including books, electronics, furniture, office equipment, vehicles, and more. Additionally, check out the Community Reuse Program to drop off a wide variety of items for reuse and recycling. 

Join the MSU Arbor Day Annual Tree Planting: On April 24, 2026 at Noon at the northeast patio of Wells Hall by the Red Cedar River, hosted by Infrastructure Planning & Facilities and Landscape Services to support MSU’s sustainability efforts. The first 100 attendees will receive free trees from the campus nursery, and parking is available at Bessey Ramp #2 with access via the footbridges to Wells Hall.

Deep Rooted Tour Series: 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.

Beal Botanical Garden: Earth Day Volunteer Day:  On April 22, get down in the dirt and volunteer with your favorite botanical garden team this Earth Day from 10:00 a.m. to- 2:00 p.m. Beal Botanical Gardens will be hosting an all-hands volunteering extravaganza covering the entire garden, accompanied by music and refreshments! 

Red Cedar Cleanup: On May 1, join fellow Spartans in protecting the iconic Red Cedar River at Michigan State University! Volunteers will help remove litter and debris along the riverbank, supporting local wildlife, improving the campus environment, and making a visible impact on the community.

Use MSU Bikes on Campus: MSU Bikes provides support with commuter resources to help you bike to work with confidence, including a 1-on-1 Bike Commuter Assistance service, which helps you find the safest, lowest-stress route to and from campus to your neighborhood. MSU Bikes also rents bikes to departments for staff to use during the work day through their Department Fleet Services.

Use Sustainable Transportation Methods on Campus: The MSU Office of Sustainability shares many convenient and sustainable transportation options for all, including MSU Bikes or CATA buses to limit emissions from your vehicle. No destination in mind? Explore these campus walking maps to find your new favorite trail!

While Earth Day is just one day out of the year, it can serve as a reminder to jumpstart your sustainability efforts and connection with our planet. Go Green!

A desktop displaying items associated with financial planning, including a notebook, calculator, pen, coffee, piggy bank, clock, and calendar.

Guidance from Fidelity and TIAA: Financial Goals to Strengthen Your Future

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As a benefits-eligible employee, you may know about the generous retirement savings programs and resources MSU offers to help set you up for a successful retirement. However, MSU’s retirement plan vendors, Fidelity and TIAA, can help you with more than just retirement planning. Whatever your financial goals – such as funding a big purchase, paying down debt, or creating a sustainable budget – Fidelity and TIAA can help you create a plan to achieve them. 

Fidelity and TIAA are financial professionals who can provide strategies and advice to help you take charge of your finances. Review the goals below and then contact your vendor using the following information. 

  1. Create a Budget: Many people only have a vague understanding of their spending habits or financial situation. Between trying to comprehend financial jargon, figuring out your goals, and understanding how to balance debt, saving, and investing, it’s no wonder people often bury their heads in the sand. Luckily, Fidelity and TIAA have tools, resources, and advice to help us make a plan and stay on track. Learn More: 
  2. Build an Emergency Fund: Setting aside money for an emergency – such as unemployment, surprise medical or vet bills, or unplanned home repairs – is a key element of basic financial planning and often the first step advisors will recommend. According to TIAA, “you should aim to have enough to cover 6 months of expenses in a readily accessible account.” (TIAA, 2026). These living expenses include the things you absolutely must pay for each month, such as food, housing, utilities, child care, health care, transportation, debt payments, or similar. 

    The latest report released by the Federal Reserve found that 37% of adults would not be able to afford a $400 emergency expense (2025, Federal Reserve), which means they would have to use credit cards, personal loans, early retirement withdrawals, or ask family/friends for assistance. Saving towards an emergency fund – even if it’s only a small amount each month – can help you build a safety net to keep you out of debt. Learn more: 
  3. Pay Down Debt: The average American owes more than $105,000 in debt across mortgage loans, home equity lines of credit, student loans, auto loans, credit cards, and personal loans (Fidelity, 2025). While having debt isn’t necessarily bad – a mortgage loan, for instance, can help you build wealth and eventually own a home – having too much debt or high-interest debt can lead to financial stress. Fidelity clarifies, “Good debt is generally considered any debt that may help you increase your net worth or generate future income. Importantly, it typically has a low interest or annual percentage rate (APR), which experts say is normally under 6%” (Fidelity, 2025). 

    TIAA and Fidelity offer actionable steps to help you move in the right direction. Review the resources below for advice on managing debt and contact your vendor directly to receive personal financial advice. Learn more: 
  4. Maximize Your Retirement Investment: Most benefit-eligible employees1 are enrolled in the 403(b) Base Retirement Program, which consists of a 5% employee contribution of your eligible compensation and a generous university matching contribution of 10%. That’s an immediate two-for-one match of your investment for a total contribution of 15%. While this provides a great foundation for your retirement savings, you may eventually want to consider additional options. It’s important to note that the IRS places limits on how much employees can contribute to their retirement savings accounts each year. However, many people may discover there is a lot of room before their current contributions reach that limit. Fidelity and TIAA can help you determine what your retirement contributions should be to help you reach your personal retirement goals – whether that date is 30 years in the future or just around the corner. Learn more: 
  5. Plan Your Estate: According to TIAA, “More than two-thirds of Americans don’t have a will. If you die without one, state law determines how your assets are distributed.” (TIAA, 2026). Despite the challenging nature of the topic, creating a solid plan can give you and your family peace of mind and the confidence that your wishes will be carried out as desired. Learn more: 

Questions? We encourage you to reach out to Fidelity  (800-642-7131) or TIAA  (800-732-8353) with your financial or retirement planning questions. 

1 Certain types of employees are excluded from participating in the 403(b) Retirement Plan. Please see the 403(b) Base Retirement Program Eligibility Chart for more details.  

Sources: 

Building an Emergency Fund. TIAA. (n.d.). https://www.tiaa.org/public/learn/financial-education/building-an-emergency-fund

Good debt vs bad debt. Fidelity. (2025, October 116). https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/smart-money/good-debt-vs-bad-debt 

How to make a financial plan. Fidelity. (2024, February 21). https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/wealth-management-insights/how-to-make-a-financial-plan-video 

Report on the economic well-being of U.S. households in 2024 – May 2025. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. (2025, May). https://www.federalreserve.gov/publications/2025-economic-well-being-of-us-households-in-2024-executive-summary.htm   

Tips for managing and reducing your debt. TIAA. (n.d.). https://www.tiaa.org/public/learn/personal-finance-101/debt-consolidation 

Top Estate Planning Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them. TIAA. (n.d.). https://www.tiaa.org/public/invest/services/wealth-management/perspectives/estate-planning-pitfalls  

Your Calm Health App FAQs 

Published on by Abigail Miller2 Comments

We recently launched the Calm Health app for benefits-eligible MSU employees and their dependents (aged 13+) who are enrolled in an MSU health plan. Interested employees had the following questions about the app that we’d like to address below.

What is Calm Health?

Calm Health is a mindfulness app designed to support mental and physical health. It’s free to benefits-eligible MSU employees and their dependents (aged 13+) who are enrolled in an MSU health plan. It provides support for stress, anxiety, sleep, and overall well-being through guided programs, check-ins, and self-care tools.

How do I sign up?

You have three options to sign up:

  1. Use this Calm Health app direct registration link.
  2. Download the Calm Health app from the App Store or Google Play. Use the access code “BCBSMI” during the registration process. This code is not case sensitive.
  3. Login to your Blue Cross Blue Shield member account and click on Find Care. Scroll down to Find Behavioral Health Support and click on the Find Help button. Scroll down and select the Calm Health app tile to proceed.

After you sign up, you’re ready to complete the onboarding questions and start using the app.

Will MSU see my personal information?

No. Your privacy is protected, and the individual use of the app is confidential.

Where can I get help if I have technical issues?

You may submit a request for assistance with Calm Health or chat with an AI assistant. For additional help, contact MSU Human Resources at SolutionsCenter@hr.msu.edu or 517-353-4434 (toll free: 800-353-4434).

What kind of tools does the app utilize?

Calm Health is a leading, self-directed, self-care digital app that utilizes the following tools:

  • Sleep support
  • Meditations
  • Music to relax
  • Mindfulness videos
  • Soundscapes
  • Daily guided content
  • And much more!

It also includes short screenings to customize member experience, with self-guided, evidence-based modules and tools that allow you to go at your own speed. You’ll receive personalized recommendations for relevant resources with content written by psychologists.

What kind of support does the app provide?

The app supports stress, anxiety, sleep improvement, work-life balance, relationships, parenting, grief, life challenges, and emotional health, just to name a few.

What type of customer data is collected by Calm Health?

Calm Health collects user-provided data needed to deliver the service, including registration details (e.g., name, email, employee ID, and other non-sensitive identifiers), in-app activity, mental health screening and survey responses, self-reported conditions, goals, and topics.

Find the full details in the Calm Health Privacy Policy and Data Processing Addendum.

What type of data is stored at the member level vs. aggregate level (for monitoring utilization trends)?

At the member level, Calm Health stores the information needed to operate the service and comply with legal and contractual requirements (e.g., registration and eligibility attributes, app engagement, survey and program completion data) in Calm Health’s secure environment.

Calm Health will provide non-sensitive information to MSU showing overall member usage and engagement, governed by the access, privacy, and security controls set out in the Data Processing Addendum.

No personal or identifying information will be shared with MSU. Here’s an example of the type of non-identifying information Calm Health may share with MSU:

  • 400 employees and/or eligible dependents have registered for the Calm Health app
  • 100 joined a program
  • 50 members completed a program
  • 200 completed at least 1 self-assessment
  • 30% of members are aged 45-54
  • 80% registered as female

What are the retention practices for the retained data?

Calm Health will retain the employee’s personal data until the employee terminates their membership with Calm Health.

If you have additional questions or comments about the Calm Health app, please share them below!

Find Your Calm: Tools for Everyday Well‑Being

Published on by Abigail Miller1 Comment

April is Stress Awareness Month, a reminder that everyday stress can take a toll on both mental and physical health. Learning to manage stress effectively is an important part of maintaining overall well-being and happiness. MSU offers a variety of resources to employees to help you feel more balanced.

  • NEW – Calm Health App: Recently launched in late 2025, the Calm Health app is available at no cost to MSU employees and eligible dependents, offering personalized, psychologist-developed programs and tools to help manage stress, improve sleep, and support overall mental and physical well-being.
  • Campus Meditation Map: Beal Scholar Anhad Viswananth created this incredible meditation map to highlight the best spots to meditate around campus.
  • Fitness Resources to Stay 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.
  • University Health and Wellbeing (UHW): UHW supports our university community with health and well-being equitably woven throughout all aspects of Spartan life. They offer a variety of resources for employees, including:
    • Midday Moves:  Take a break from end of the semester stress with a Finals Flex stretch, mobility, and mindful movement routine. Bring an exercise mat or a towel. Two ways to join: in-person at the MSU Library or via Zoom.
    • Desk Decompress: Join one of these 30 or 15-minute virtual classes to relax and decompress while stretching and strengthening the wrist, shoulders, and spine. Join on a Monday for a full-body movement, or a join on a Thursday to work upper-body throughout April. 
    • 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.”
    • 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.
    • Listen to the Wellbeing at MSU podcast to hear from leaders across MSU.
    • View all UHW events, webinars, and more.
  • Walking at MSU: There are many things to see and do on MSU’s 2,100-acre campus. Join these MSU campus walking tours and make the most of our beautiful campus and gardens.
  • Breaking Free from Stress Course: This course offered by HR’s Organization and Professional Development department will help you learn how to be less reactive to other people and events and live your life from a deeper perspective of common sense and wisdom.
  • 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.

A Commitment to Wellbeing at MSU


As announced by MSU University Health and Wellbeing, Michigan State University was recently recognized as one of Michigan’s Best and Brightest in Wellness, earning the Best of the Best Large Business honor in 2025. This award, presented by the National Association for Business Resources, celebrates organizations that prioritize the health and wellbeing of their communities.

From mental health support and resilience programming to campus-wide wellness initiatives, this recognition reinforces MSU’s commitment to creating a supportive environment where Spartans can thrive.

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!

Mother’s Day Deals and Discounts

Published on by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

This Mother’s Day (May 10), show the special person in your life that you appreciate them with a thoughtful gift or experience – whether that’s your mom, mother to your kiddos, stepmom, mother-in-law, or anyone in your life who fills such a role.

MSU benefits-eligible employees can access many discounts and savings through MSU Benefits Plus. To access all the discounts, visit MSU Benefits Plus and sign up for a free account using your MSU email address.

Gifts and Flowers

  • From You Flowers: Enjoy 25% off a wide selection of bouquets, plants, gourmet gifts and more.
  • 1-800-Flowers: Enjoy up to 30% off their seasonal collections and 20% sitewide with code CSTREAM.
  • Chatbooks: Turn digital photos into high-quality photo books and keepsakes. Take 25% off everything on the site with code CORE25.
  • Wonderbly Personalized Books and Gifts: Create a personalized book for Mother’s Day or a variety of other occasions or people. Use code CORE25 at checkout for 25% off two or more books.

Food and Drinks

  • Jody’s Gourmet Popcorn: Customize your popcorn and get $15 toward your choice of gourmet flavor, box/tin, and a personalized note—delivered straight to your door!
  • Gearharts Fine Chocolate: Enjoy 15% off your order with code CORESTREAM15
  • Shari’s Berries: Save 15% on chocolate-covered strawberries and treats with code CSTREAM
  • OLIPOP: Stock up on prebiotic soda in classic flavors and save 20% with code CORESTREAM20

Experiences

  • W. K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary: Celebrate the nurturing power of nature on Mother’s Day with a rejuvenating walk at the Sanctuary! Moms are invited to enjoy free admission.
  • Wharton Center: MSU employees enjoy 10-15% discounts on select performances and discounts are offered to subscribers.
  • Tiqets: Save over 40% on Unbeatable Deals worldwide with access to top attractions, museums, zoos, and aquariums.
  • Royal Caribbean Cruises: Enjoy up to 60% second guest fare and more.

Find these discounts and many more by visiting the MSU Benefits Plus website. For questions, please get in touch with the MSU Benefits Plus customer care team at 888-758-7575. 

An open book in front of a large stack of books.

A Middle Manager’s Book Review: “Trust and Inspire” by Stephen Covey

Published on by Chelsey Fether1 Comment

This is the first installment of a new series where I, a middle manager who happens to be an avid reader, review leadership books to share what I learned and whether I think they’re worth the read.

For context, I’m the communications manager in MSU Human Resources. I have the privilege of supporting the outstanding team that promotes the services provided by all of the talented teams within MSU HR. I love reading, and through leadership books, I hope to learn how to better support my already amazing team.

Stephen Covey’s “Trust and Inspire” was a great first choice. I knew it would, at least in part, affirm a belief I already held, that people don’t want to be managed, they want to be led. A good leader doesn’t try to confine or control their employees. They simply work to provide the environment and resources that help them reach their potential. “Trust and Inspire” provided all that and more, including the historical context explaining why it might be tempting to default to a controlling structure and the benefits of providing a more trusting and supportive environment.

Takeaway One: We’re past the Industrial Age, so let’s lead accordingly

The Industrial Revolution was one of the first times in history when we began to see the still common workplace structure of employees taking orders from the person in charge. Covey refers to this leadership style as “Command and Control.” Command and control leadership is built around compliance, efficiency, being transactional, and maintaining the status quo. In today’s workplace, innovation is not only desired but expected, meaning we can no longer operate under the “Command and Control” model and expect innovation from our employees.

Takeaway Two: People achieve more when they are trusted and inspired

Much of today’s workforce consists of knowledge and service-based work with access to instant and ever-changing information. We are more innovative, creative, and collaborative than ever, even with the expansion of remote work. Leaders can best adapt to these new conditions under the “Trust and Inspire” model, characterized by commitment, transformation, growth, collaboration, and inspiration.

An easy way to distinguish the Command and Control and the Trust and Inspire models of leadership is to consider the differences between motivation and inspiration. During the Industrial Revolution, workers were motivated by their paychecks and being able to provide for their families, but not much more. Today, people choose their careers for many reasons beyond just a paycheck. We seek inspiration from our work—to make a difference in the lives of others, be innovative, creative, and part of something bigger than ourselves. As leaders, retaining top talent often comes down to getting out of the way and letting our employees be inspired to do their best work.

Takeaway Three: It’s not about me

“People have greatness inside them… so my job as a leader is to unleash their potential, not control them.” I’ve always been more aligned with servant-style leadership, and this book was a great reminder that I’m on the right track. I have a lot to learn, but I’m confident in my team’s ability to do great work if I support an environment that maximizes their potential. That doesn’t come from micromanaging, but from offering support, encouragement, and stepping in when needed to help remove, or at least adjust, barriers that might prevent them from reaching their potential.

Was it worth the read? Yes!

Stephen Covey’s “Trust and Inspire” was a great book. I recommend it to all leaders, regardless of the formal title. The message is modern, relatable, and applicable to real-life work. While I initially listened to the audio version, the paperback includes great visual aids for referencing and annotating. Give it a read (or a listen) and tell me what you think!

Borrow this book or recommend my next one!

Is there a leadership book you want me to read and then write about? Or do you want to borrow this book from me? Let me know! Email me at fetherch@msu.edu.

Thanks for reading!

A red ship made out of paper leading other ships in a new direction.

Because we’ve always done it that way.

Published on by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

Written by Sharri Margraves, EdD, SHRM-SCP, Director of HR Organization and Professional Development.

I really disliked some parts of being a supervisor in a new land. It’s hard—harder than most people admit. You inherit systems you didn’t design, relationships you didn’t form, and histories you don’t yet understand. You’re expected to bring fresh thinking and respect what already exists. No leader is hired to keep things the same. That tension shows up quickly in one familiar phrase: “Because we’ve always done it that way.” It’s frustrating when change needs to happen and it feels like inertia will never give way to momentum.

For many leaders, especially those new to an organization, this phrase can feel like a wall—talk to the hand. It can feel bad—an excuse, a form of resistance, or even a challenge to authority. Too often, it gets repeated outside the room as shorthand for “they don’t want to change.” When that happens, the phrase stops being a catchphrase to connect with others and starts casting staff in a negative light among peers, colleagues, and senior leaders.

Here’s the reframe: Because we’ve always done it that way (BWADITW) is a valid answer. It just isn’t a complete conversation.

“We’ve Always Done It That Way” Deserves Respect

When someone says “BWADITW,” they are often communicating more than just a habit and not just trying to get you to “leave well enough alone.” They may be signaling:

  • Historical constraints you haven’t seen yet
  • Past attempts at change that failed—or succeeded
  • Risk management in a regulated or high-stakes environment
  • Efficiency learned the hard way
  • Institutional memory that protects quality, safety, or trust
  • Contract or laws that must be followed

BWADITW usually reflects experience, not defiance.

Organizations don’t survive by accident. If something has been done the same way for a long time, it likely solved a real problem at some point. Generally, the leaders who came before you did the best they could with the situation and resources at hand. Treating BWADITW as dismissive—or reporting it as obstruction—erodes trust and undervalues the people who carried the organization forward before you arrived.

Strong leaders don’t shut this down; they lean in.

The Missed Opportunity: Not Asking the Next Questions

The gap of frustration isn’t that someone said, “Because we’ve always done it that way.”
The gap is stopping there. When leaders don’t ask follow-up questions, three things happen:

  1. Staff may feel dismissed and become less likely to share insights.
  2. Leaders miss operational intelligence that could accelerate improvement.
  3. Narratives form that position staff as resistant rather than knowledgeable.

BWADITW should be treated as an open door, not a closed one.

The Questions That Elevate Everyone

Here are a few simple, powerful follow-ups that increase collaboration and effectiveness:

  • Does this still work well today?
    Signals respect for the past while opening space for evaluation.
  • What works best about the current approach?
    Identifies strengths worth preserving.
  • Where does this process struggle?
    Invites honesty without blame.
  • If you could change one thing, what would it be?
    Empowers staff as contributors, not critics.
  • What do you think our stakeholders would value most here?
    Re-centers the conversation on purpose and impact.
  • What constraints should I understand before we consider changes?
    Demonstrates humility and systems thinking.

These questions do two things at once: They validate the work of those who have been there—and they create momentum for thoughtful improvement.

Quick Tips for Leaders When You Hear BWADITW

  • Pause your reaction. Annoyance is a signal to get curious.
  • Assume positive intent. Most people want the organization to succeed.
  • Document what you learn. Institutional knowledge is an asset.
  • Separate “always done” from “must be done.” Not everything old is sacred—but not everything new is better.
  • Share credit. When improvements happen, name the people whose insight made them possible.
  • Model how you talk about staff. How you describe these moments to others sets cultural norms.
  • Change causes people to be fearful—what if you eliminate their job?
  • Trust must be built over time. Building respectful cultures will help you get there faster.

Moving Forward Together

Honoring experience and driving change are not opposites. The most effective leaders do both—simultaneously. They recognize that progress doesn’t come from dismissing the past, but from building on it with intention. Remember the adage, slow is fast and small is big when thinking about improvements, aka “change”.

When leaders elevate their skill in these moments, they send a clear message:

  • Experience matters
  • Voices matter
  • Improvement is a shared responsibility

BWADITW isn’t the end of the conversation. For skilled leaders, it’s the beginning of a better one. Remember that all improvements involve change, but not all change causes improvement.