April Events Round-Up

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

It is officially spring in East Lansing, and that means it is time for April events! This month holds many virtual and in-person opportunities on campus and in the Greater Lansing area to celebrate the start of the new season.

Campus Events

Various Dates in April – Pride Month Events at MSU: Pride Month is dedicated to celebrating lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and/or queer, intersex, asexual and two-spirit, or LGBTQIA2S+, communities and histories. It is nationally recognized each year in June, a time when most Spartans have returned home for the summer. Michigan State University celebrates Pride Month in April, allowing Spartans to connect and celebrate pride with one another while they are still on campus.

Various Dates in April –MSU Men’s Baseball Home Game: Come visit the Jeff Ishbia Field at McLane Stadium and cheer on the Michigan State Spartans Men’s Baseball Team at a home game this April!

Various Dates in April – MSU Women’s Softball Home Game: Come visit the Secchia Stadium at MSU to cheer on the Michigan State Spartans Women’s Softball Team at a home game this April!

April 7 – 12 – Clue: Based on the fan-favorite 1985 Paramount Pictures movie and inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, Clue is the ultimate whodunit that will leave you dying of laughter and keep you guessing until the final twist at the Wharton Center this April.

April 9 – Beal Botanical Garden Tour: Spring into Conservation: Visit the Beal Botanical Garden for a spring tour exploring our diverse conservation efforts. This tour will focus primarily on Michigan’s rare plants, including our work preserving the state’s only fertile population of the Michigan Monkeyflower.

April 17 – 2026 RCPD Awards Reception: The Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD) Awards and Appreciation Reception, held at the MSU Multicultural Center, will celebrate the recipients of 10 scholarships and three Spartans (students, faculty/staff, and alumni) who have shown exceptional dedication to advancing belonging and inclusion on our campus.

April 26 – 2026 Izzo Legacy Race: The Izzo family has partnered with Playmakers to host this premium experience on MSU’s campus. The mission is to connect alumni, MSU, and Mid-Michigan communities in a positive celebration of Coach Izzo’s legacy. The events include a 5K Run/Walk, 5K Roll, 1/2 K Walk/Roll, Kids’ Races and a Virtual 5K; all events will focus on fitness, fun, family, Spartan spirit, and charitable giving!

Learning Opportunities

April 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 – Desk Decompress (Upper Body): 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 the neck, shoulders, wrists, and spine. Movements can be done sitting or standing.

April 6, 13, 20, and 27 – Desk Decompress (Full Body): 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.

April 7 – Building Awareness and Understanding the Intercultural Conflict Style Inventory (ICS): This April workshop introduces the Intercultural Conflict Style Inventory (ICS) to help participants understand their own and others’ communication and conflict resolution styles, improving cross-cultural interactions and problem-solving. Attendance is required for both sessions, with the second part taking place on June 2 to deepen understanding and apply strategies for navigating and resolving conflicts effectively.

April 7, 14, 21, and 28 – Navigating Hard Times with Empathy and Self Compassion: Spartan Resilience Education is offering a free, open session on practicing self-care and self-compassion, focusing on how to support ourselves and others during challenging times. Participants will learn key concepts like empathy vs. sympathy, core elements of self-compassion, and practical strategies to improve emotional support, avoid common mistakes, and enhance overall well-being and work effectiveness.

April 8 – WorkLife Wellbeing- Neurodivergence in the Workplace 2: Supporting Yourself and Others: The neurodivergence umbrella includes many common but often misunderstood disabilities. In this session, dive into how to support yourself and others and build a community inclusive of neurodivergent experiences.

April 12 – Out of the Darkness Walk: Hosted by UHW’s Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) in partnership with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), the Out of the Darkness Walk is an annual event that brings Spartans together to support suicide prevention and promote mental health awareness.

April 15 – A Guide to Names and Pronouns: This in-person course allows participants to learn appropriate and respectful ways to use names and pronouns to promote gender inclusivity in the workplace. Understand why safety and privacy around gender, names, and pronouns matter, as well as how to recover when mistakes happen.

April 16 – Five Behaviors: Personal Development: This program helps individual contributors become more effective teammates by exploring the Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team model through activities, videos, and discussions. Participants complete a pre-assessment and learn key behaviors that strengthen collaboration, trust, and team effectiveness.

April 16 – 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.

April 20 – Relaxing Under the Stars: Visit the Abrams Planetarium for Relaxing Under the Stars, a peaceful in-person experience held once a month. Each 50-minute session features a guided constellation tour using the Digistar projection system – perfect for stress relief and mindful relaxation.

April 22 and 23 – Strategic Business Analysis: Turning Requirements into Results: This two-day course builds skills in strategic business analysis, helping participants create clear, actionable requirements that align with organizational goals and deliver meaningful results. Through frameworks, hands-on practice, and stakeholder engagement techniques, learners gain confidence in eliciting, writing, prioritizing, and evaluating requirements for maximum business value.

April 24 – Midday Moves (Hybrid): Take a break from end of the semester stress with a Finals Flex stretch, mobility, and mindful movement routine, designed to leave you feeling more relaxed. Exercises will mostly be standing and on the ground, with seated options provided. Bring an exercise mat or a towel. Join in-person at the MSU Library or over Zoom!

April 29 and 30 – Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue: This program teaches techniques that allow you to make room for different opinions and perspectives, find mutual respect and common purpose, and dialogue openly. With these skills, you’ll not only work with others more effectively, but you can also help foster psychological safety and inclusion.

April 30 – Cultural Competency I: This course focuses on building cultural competence and inclusivity skills aligned with MSU’s commitment to fostering a safe, respectful, and welcoming workplace for all employees. Participants will develop self-awareness, challenge biases and stereotypes, and practice communication strategies like the CARES model to improve interactions and effectively address workplace concerns.

Family-Friendly Events

April 1 – 30 – MSU Science Festival: The MSU Science Festival is a free annual celebration of science, fueled by some of the basic elements essential to scientific inquiry: curiosity, wonder, and discovery. The festival is free and for lifelong learners of all ages!

April 4 – Family Day: PLAY: First Saturday means Family Day at the MSU Broad Art Museum! This month, find out why artists play with ideas as we celebrate the young artists in the Saturday Morning Art (SmART) pop-up exhibition, in collaboration with the MSU Department of Art, Art History, and Design.

April 5, 12, 19, and 26 – Abrams Planetarium Family Show: The Little Star that Could: Come see the story about an average yellow star on a search for planets of his own to warm and protect. Along his way, he encounters other stars, learns what makes each star special, and discovers that stars can combine to form clusters and galaxies.

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.

Greater Lansing Area Events

April 10 – Night at a Living Museum: Visit the Potter Park Zoo to Unlock a world of wonder and discovery at the Living Museum! These hands-on activities are designed for guests of all ages to learn about the care of animals at the zoo and our conservation efforts both locally and globally.

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.

April 4, and 25 – Meridian Indoor Farmers’ Market: Farmers’ Market Moves Indoors! The Market will move indoors to the JCPenney corridor of the Meridian Mall Starting on Saturday, November 29 and will run through April.

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.

Compound Interest: How Starting Early Supercharges Your Retirement Plan

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We are committed to helping our employees prepare for a successful retirement by offering several retirement savings plan options, along with tools and resources to help you reach your goals.

Most benefit-eligible employees 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, you may want to consider additional savings options. MSU also offers two additional savings accounts: the 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Program and the 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan.

How to Make a Retirement Savings Plan

It’s normal to have many questions when you start to plan for your retirement:

  • How early should I start planning?
  • How much do I need to save to retire comfortably?
  • Which plan(s) should I contribute to?
  • What can I do to maximize my savings?
  • Are my retirement goals attainable?

The answers will depend on your financial situation and retirement goals. We strongly encourage all MSU employees to make an appointment with their retirement vendor – Fidelity or TIAA – to discuss their options and develop a personalized savings plan. Fidelity and TIAA are financial professionals who can provide helpful strategies, tips, and actionable steps that can help you take charge of your finances.

Additionally, both Fidelity and TIAA have numerous resources – including articles, webinars, interactive tools, and more – to help you learn about saving for retirement and other financial goals.

The Power of Compound Interest

For younger MSU employees, creating a comprehensive retirement savings plan may not be a top priority. Between student loans, rent, childcare, and more, it can be difficult to set aside money for a day 30 to 40 years in the future. But the young have a huge advantage when it comes to saving money for retirement: more time. This additional time allows them to potentially benefit the most from compounding interest, which may lead to greater savings down the road.

Compounding interest basically means allowing an investment to earn money while continually reinvesting those earnings over time. The more time you have, the smaller your original investment may need to be. In the hypothetical example below, a 25-year-old starts saving $5,000 annually ($416 per month), and a 40-year-old starts saving twice as much but waits until age 40 ($833 per month).

A visual that shows the hypothetical example of a 25-year-old making $5,000 in contributions annually ending up with approximately $798,735 at retirement, while only contributing 200,000. A 40-year-old that starts saving twice as much, $10,000 annually, will only end up with $566,317 and contribute $250,000.

The 25-year-old ends up contributing less money over time – $200,000 versus $250,000 – but ends up with a higher balance: $798,735 versus $566,317. In other words, the 25-year-old contributes $50,000 less but ends up with $232,000 more than the 40-year-old who waited to save. As this example shows, younger investors may benefit from saving as much as possible as soon as possible.

If your retirement date is a bit closer, you can still take advantage of compounding interest. However, you may need to increase your monthly contributions to meet your retirement savings goals. Luckily, the IRS allows people who are aged 50 years or older to contribute an additional “catch-up” amount to their retirement plans each year.

To contribute a certain amount, such as $100 per paycheck, you can use the calculating tool to convert a dollar amount to a percentage. As you determine your contribution amount, please note the IRS places limits on how much employees can contribute to a retirement plan each year. Additionally, requirements in SECURE 2.0 Act began in 2026, and the new after-tax Roth option is now available. You can learn more on the After-Tax Roth and SECURE 2.0 Act HR webpage or the recent Q&A with HR’s retirement expert, Dan, about the SECURE Act 2.0 requirements and new Roth option. 

Of course, remember that investment returns are not guaranteed and will fluctuate — in some years you may have gains, and in other years you may have losses. But over time, any investment with a net gain will benefit from compounding.

How to Change Your Contribution

While your contribution to the 403(b) Base account is fixed based on your income, you can adjust your contributions to the 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Program and/or the 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan at any time. Follow these steps:

  1. Login to the EBS Portal with your MSU NetID and password.
  2. Select My Benefits from the top navigation.
  3. Click on the Benefit/Retirement Enrollment and Changes tile.
  4. Select Enroll/Change my Retirement/Health Savings Account Options from the dropdown menu and click Next. 
  5. On the Savings Plan screen, you’ll be able to edit your contributions to the 403(b) Supplemental and/or 457(b) Deferred Compensation accounts.
  6. Make sure you click through all the screens and hit Save to finalize the change to your contributions.

Questions? We encourage you to reach out to Fidelity (800-642-7131) or TIAA scheduling (800-732-8353) for your retirement planning questions. Visit the HR website for additional information on the retirement plans offered by MSU.

1 Please note that the example above is a hypothetical illustration only and is not intended to represent the past or future performance of any investment. The example assumes contributions are made monthly at a 6% annual effective rate, compounded monthly, and no withdrawals. Actual performance will vary with market conditions. Investing involves risk. There is no assurance that the goals will be met or that the solution or strategy will be successful. This example was developed in partnership with TIAA.

2 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.

Job of the Week: Communications Manager I

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

This week’s featured job is a Communications Manager I for the Department of Anthropology within the College of Social Science (job posting 1115667). If you are interested in developing, implementing, managing and sustaining a comprehensive creative communications strategy that aligns with the department’s goals, this may be the role for you.

The MSU Department of Anthropology studies human cultural and biological diversity across time and space using a range of approaches. Faculty specialize in areas including socio-cultural anthropology, archaeology, medical anthropology, physical anthropology, and anthropological linguistics. The department aims to better understand the human condition both globally and locally.

In this position, you will lead the development and execution of an annual departmental communications and content strategy aligned with recruitment, research visibility, and engagement goals. You will monitor and analyze social media analytics and audience engagement to inform content and strategy. Additionally, you will manage the website, update content, and develop story ideas related to the department’s research. Find a complete list of responsibilities in the job posting.

This position requires a degree in journalism, telecommunications, public relations or similar, and one to three years of experience working in public and media relations, publication production, marketing, advertising, or similar. You should have strong writing, editing, and verbal skills, experience developing and managing social media content and campaigns, and experience collaborating with diverse academic stakeholders. Find a complete list of required and desired qualifications in the job posting.

Learn more about the Department of Anthropology. To learn more or apply for this position, please visit the MSU Careers Website. Applications require a resume, cover letter, three professional references, and a link to an online portfolio of relevant creative communications work, and should be submitted by April 9.

Spartan scenes: Sailboat, Sparty, Tennis Ball

Get Active this Spring: Fitness Resources for MSU Employees

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Warmer weather on the horizon means more opportunities to get outside and get active! If you need some ideas to encourage you and your family get active this spring, the following resources and opportunities are available for MSU employees:

In-person Opportunities

  • Biking: One of the easiest ways to add exercise to your daily routine is to attach it to an activity or habit you perform already, such as your commute to work. 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 with their Department Fleet Services. Bikes are a great way to get around campus for meetings, lunches, errands, or a nice break! Save the hassle of traffic, offer a healthy alternative for your staff breaks/on-campus transportation, and avoid problems finding car parking by adding a bike to your department transportation fleet. If you’re working remotely, find several Greater Lansing area biking groups to join instead. The MSU Bikes Service Center also offers new and used bikes, rentals (long and short term), as well as a repair service.
  • Sailing, Stand-Up Paddleboarding, and Kayaking: The MSU Sailing Center is located on Lake Lansing in Haslett just east of campus. The Sailing Center strives to provide a safe, supportive, and welcoming learning environment for all participants. Consider participating in one of their many programs, including a learn-to-sail course, paddle sports, group outings, and private lessons. MSU employees can receive a discounted rate for membership.
  • Midday Movement Series: On the third Wednesday of each month, stop by the MSU Library for a variety of classes to help get you moving this spring! From 12:10 to 12:50 p.m., get your move on and bring athletic shoes, water, and a towel. Register here to save your spot.
  • Tennis: At the MSU Tennis Center you can book a court for singles or doubles or participate in one of their adult instructional classes or drill sessions. There’s something for everyone with classes geared toward both beginners and pro-level players.
  • Golf: MSU Forest Akers offers teaching programs for golfers of all ages and abilities, including adult group classes (currently full but waitlist available) or private instruction, and a casual golf league for all skill levels (league is full but fill out the form to sub). MSU employees can also access the golf range and courses at discounted rates.
  • MSU Recreational Sports and Fitness Services: MSU faculty and staff can purchase a membership to access the many services provided at MSU Recreational Sports and Fitness, including swimming, group fitness classes, and much more.

Virtual Opportunities

  • MSU Benefits Plus offers a bunch of fitness and wellness discounts, including gym memberships and personal training. After you log in to MSU Benefits Plus, select Deals from the top navigation, then Gyms and Health Clubs to see all current offerings.
  • Sign up for virtual chair yoga, midday movement series, and Desk Decompress through the Move More @ Work programs provided by University Health and Wellbeing.

Articles and Resources to Increase Motivation:

University Health and Wellbeing offers current, evidence-informed information employees can use to further their understanding of fitness. Topics covered include Benefits to Being Physically Active and Ways to Move More During the Workday.

Job of the Week: Farm Assistant Manager

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This week’s featured job is a Farm Assistant Manager for the Campus Livestock Centers with the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (job posting 1114608). This might be the role for you if you are interested in assisting in managing daily operations at the brand new state-of-the-art dairy research facility!

The Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center and MSU dairy herd support teaching, extension, and research. The Center provides learning opportunities for Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine students and regularly hosts dairy management programs. Research covers nutrition, physiology, breeding, and management, and the Dairy is MAEAP verified in Livestock and Farmstead Systems.

In this position, you will assist in oversight of daily operations at the MSU Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center to ensure the teaching, research and outreach missions are accomplished. You’ll manage the breeding program and oversee milking, feeding and treatment of dairy cattle. Additionally, you will be responsible for the hiring, training, supervision and evaluation of full-time, temporary, on-call, and student employees. Find a complete list of responsibilities in the job posting.

This position requires a bachelor’s degree in animal science or agriculture, at least one year of experience supervising employees in farm work or production, computer use and knowledge of farm equipment. Desired qualifications include specialized skills in dairy herd management, excellent communication skills, and experience in training for proactive health care and biosecurity programs. Find a complete list of required and desired qualifications in the job posting.

Learn more about the Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center. To learn more or apply for this position, please visit the MSU Careers website. Applications require a cover letter and resume and should be submitted by March 17.

Young family posing for a photo in the back of their car.

Don’t Miss Out on These Exclusive Employee Discounts for Spring Break!

Published on by Josh WorleyLeave a comment

Spring Break for many area schools is quickly approaching. Before finalizing your plans, review your exclusive employee discounts through MSU Benefits Plus to determine if any may be useful to your family.

To access all the discounts, visit the EBS Portal, click on the MSU Benefits Plus tile, and either log in or sign up for a free account.

Travel

  • Hertz Car Rentals: Save up to 25% off, plus a free day when reserving five or more days using discount code CDP 2276976 and combinable promotional code 211973.
  • Tickets at Work: Plan your getaway for less with up to 40% off hotel stays at top destinations worldwide.
  • Wyndham Hotels & Resorts: Save up to 20% off the best available rooms at participating hotels worldwide.
  • Vacasa Vacation Rentals: Employees, students, and their families who are planning a trip to Orlando or Disney World can save up to 15% off.

Entertainment

  • Premium Seats USA: Save 10% on ticket purchases to professional and collegiate sporting events, including football, baseball, basketball, hockey, tennis, golf, auto racing, wrestling, and more when you use promo code CORESTREAM.
  • Restaurant.com: Get 40% off orders of $25 or more by using discount code CORESTREAM40. Explore new restaurants, save at old favorites, or enjoy quality takeout meals.
  • Tiqets: Save over 40% on museums, zoos, aquariums and more worldwide. Save an additional 10% at checkout, just for MSU Employees!
  • Tickets at Work: Get exclusive pricing on Las Vegas shows just for being an MSU employee!
  • Universal Orlando Resort: Save on your Universal Orlando trip with Tickets at Work. For a limited time, get adult tickets at child prices on 3+ day tickets.

Find these savings as well as many other discounts by visiting the MSU Benefits Plus website. The MSU Benefits Plus Customer Care Team is available to answer questions at 888-758-7575.

Campus Deals

Planning a staycation instead of traveling? Check out these great discounts right on campus!

  • Wharton: Discounts are given to Wharton Center subscribers, and occasional 10-15% discounts on select performances are given to MSU employees.
  • Munn Ice Arena: Save on public skating during spring break. Employees receive discounted rates with valid MSU ID.
  • Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center: MSU Employees can receive special hotel accommodation rates when making reservations. A valid MSU employee ID may be required at check-in.
a group of three colleagues working together.

Fostering Excellence: Continuous Learning and Educational Assistance for MSU Support Staff

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

Michigan State University stands as a beacon of educational excellence, not only for its students but also for its dedicated support staff. At the heart of MSU’s commitment to fostering a culture of growth and development is the twin approach of continuous learning and educational assistance benefits tailored for support staff.

Continuous learning is a cornerstone of personal and professional development, and MSU recognizes its transformative power. For support staff, engaging in ongoing education and using it on the job brings many benefits to the individual and helps create a dynamic and adaptable workforce that contributes significantly to the university’s success.

  • Career Development: Continuous learning helps open doors to career advancement opportunities. MSU support staff have access to many professional development opportunities, from workshops to specialized training sessions, allowing us to enhance our skills in preparation for future positions. According to Gallup, 41% of employees consider career development a very important aspect of job satisfaction.
  • Enhanced Job Performance: Staying current with industry trends and best practices is essential for optimal job performance. MSU’s commitment to continuous learning ensures that staff are equipped with the latest knowledge and skills, directly impacting their ability to excel in their roles and contribute to the university’s operational excellence. Individuals can chart their path using educational assistance or elevateU, the free on-demand source for technical and essential skill development and certification prep.
  • Increased Engagement: 70% of the variance in team engagement is determined solely by the manager, according to Gallup. Continuous learning fosters a sense of achievement and personal satisfaction with a person’s job, and while resources are always slim—supporting continuous learning is essential for supervisors. Staff who feel supported in their educational pursuits are more likely to experience higher engagement, leading to a positive work environment and a deepened commitment to MSU’s mission. Gallup finds that engaged employees have 78% less absenteeism, 63% less safety accidents, and a 10% increase in customer loyalty.
  • Adaptability to Change: Adaptability is a key attribute in the ever-evolving professional landscape. Continuous learning instills resilience and the ability to navigate change effectively. Those empowered to participate in ongoing education will be well-positioned to embrace new challenges and contribute to the university’s culture of innovation.

Educational Assistance Programs at MSU

MSU exemplifies its commitment to the educational journey of support staff through robust educational assistance programs designed to remove financial barriers to learning. Educational assistance benefits and eligibility are governed by an employee’s respective collective bargaining unit agreement. Non-union employees and Academic Specialists also have educational benefits available to them.

Educational assistance benefits are available to help achieve educational and career development goals. There are two different aspects of educational assistance: non-credit courses and credit courses.

  • Non-Credit Courses: Eligible employees can take programs offered by HR’s Organization and Professional Development or IT Services, non-credit programs, seminars, and conferences. Most staff employee groups have $800 or $900 available annually for non-credit programs. APA members can utilize this amount to pay for credit classes.
  • Credit courses: Eligible employees can take courses at MSU or a non-MSU accredited institution, provided it is located in the state of Michigan. MSU courses are eligible for and processed as a tuition waiver, while non-MSU courses are processed as a reimbursement. Institutions that are considered to be primarily online only (such as the University of Phoenix) or institutions that are not Michigan-based are ineligible.

Please review the Educational Assistance webpages and Educational Assistance Eligibility by Employee Group summary for more details about Educational Assistance programs, eligibility, and the available benefit coverage. For questions, contact the HR Solutions Center at SolutionsCenter@hr.msu.edu or 517-353-4434.

References

Gallup. (2024, November 18), “How to improve employee engagement in the workplace.” Gallup.com. https://www.gallup.com/workplace/285674/improve-employee-engagement-workplace.aspx

Juyumaya, J., Torres-Ochoa, C. and Rojas, G. (2024), “Boosting job performance: the impact of autonomy, engagement and age”, Revista de Gestão, Vol. 31 No. 4, pp. 397-414. https://doi.org/10.1108/REGE-09-2023-0108

Job of The Week: Office Assistant IV

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

This week’s featured job is an Office Assistant IV for the Department of Economics in the College of Social Science (job posting 1114936). If you are interested in providing accounting, operational, and administrative support for a large, high-volume academic department, this may be the role for you. 

The MSU Department of Economics consists of three interrelated components: providing the highest quality instruction to students, conducting leading-edge research in economics, and providing service and leadership to professional communities.

In this position, you will support the Department of Economics Fiscal Officer, which includes supporting travel, reimbursements, vouchers, budget tracking, and financial compliance. Additionally, you will perform necessary operational and administrative functions required to support faculty, staff, and instructional activities. This includes scheduling rooms and coordinating logistics for seminars, conferences, and special events, maintaining departmental records, coordinating exam materials, and preparing financial records. Find a complete list of responsibilities in the job posting. 

This position requires knowledge equivalent from the first two to three years of college or technical school, and one to three years experience working in maintaining account ledgers, departmental operations, employment or related tasks. You should have experience in word processing, maintaining spreadsheets, and editing and composing correspondence. Find a complete list of required and desired qualifications in the job postings. 

Learn more about the Department of Economics. To learn more or apply for this position, please visit the MSU Careers website. Applications require a cover letter, CV/resume, and three professional references, and should be submitted by March 10.

March Events Round-Up

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

Spring is right around the corner, and that means it is time for March 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. Click the links below to explore future events and register if required. 

Campus Events

Women’s History Month events at MSU coming soon!

Various Dates in March – MSU Women’s Softball Games: Come visit the Secchia Stadium and cheer on the MSU Women’s Softball Team at a home game this March!

Various Dates in March – MSU Men’s Baseball Home Games: Come visit the Jeff Ishbia Field at McLane Stadium and cheer on the MSU Men’s Baseball Team at a home game this March! 

March 10 – Give Green Day: Join Spartans near and far on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, when we come together to make a better tomorrow. Give Green Day is a chance to make a difference to impact current and future Spartans.

March 11 and 12 – Uncommon Impact Begins Here Events: Join colleagues across campus March 11–12 — the two days following Give Green Day — for a series of drop-in activations including the Beaumont Tower Climb, an Ice Cream Giveaway, Historic Printing Press Experience, celebrating the faculty and staff who power MSU. 

March 15 – Jazz Orchestra with Harvey Mason: Legendary drummer Harvey Mason returns to MSU for the first time since his 2017 residency. Known for his genre-defining work with Herbie Hancock’s Head Hunters and countless jazz, funk, and fusion icons, Mason brings decades of innovation and groove to the stage in this powerful concert with the MSU Jazz Orchestras.

March 15 – Museum Tour: Deep-Rooted with Beal Botanical Garden: As spring enters the air, take the opportunity to 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.

March 18 – Create and Connect: An Upcycling Workshop: Recharge and reconnect at ‘Create & Connect’, a spring upcycling workshop for MSU employees and graduate students at the MSU Surplus Store and Recycling Center. Through creative activity and informal connection, this event supports wellbeing, belonging, and cross-campus relationships. 

March 26 – 2026 MSU César Chávez & Dolores Huerta Commemorative Celebration: Michigan State University is celebrating its 16th Commemorative Celebration on Thursday, March 26, 2026, honoring the legacies of local and national community leaders and organizers with a special on-campus dinner for MSU students, faculty, staff and local community leaders.

March 26-27 – Fate of the Earth Symposium: Engage with the complexity of sustainability and the messy, collaborative work of turning vision into action. Designed to spark collaboration and build momentum around shared goals, the event aims to strengthen networks and empower participants to take meaningful action toward a sustainable future in uncertain times.

Learning Opportunities 

March 3, 4, 24, and 25 – Spartan Excellence Learning Series: 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. 

March 11 – Engaging and Empowering Teams: Listening, Learning, Leading. Understand employee success by learning evidence-based strategies to engage and empower employees, understanding employees’ perspectives about what matters most to them at work, reflecting on and assessing your own supervisory practices to identify opportunities for growth.

March 12 – Identify and Maximize Your Strengths: Tap into your unique talents and complete the CliftonStrengths Assessment. Learn more about your natural patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving, and how they apply to your role in the workplace.

March 13 – Midday Moves: Get into the March Madness action with some midday movement. Between school spirit and good luck, we’ll have to find out where the next round takes us. This session will ensure everyone leaves a winner. Two ways to join: in-person at the MSU Library, or via Zoom link provided.

March 18 – Mental Health First Aid: Higher Education: Developed by people with lived experiences of mental health challenges and professionals, this course teaches early intervention techniques and improves mental health literacy to help you understand, identify, and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges.

March 25 – Writing Policies and Procedures: It can be challenging to write policies and procedures in clear terms that can be understood by all. This virtual course will share proven strategies to successfully take on this task and provide methods for creating easy-to-understand resources. 

March 30 – Cultural Competency II: Building Respect in the Workplace: This in-person class allows you to engage in deep dialogue around power and privilege, positionality, intersectionality, and how these dynamics impact relationships in the workplace. Participants will learn ways to improve communication and treatment of team members and learn actionable practices and strategies.

Family-Friendly Events

March 1 – 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!

March 7 – Family Day: SPEAK: 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. All ages are welcome. Join us as we make art that shares ideas in surprisingly creative ways, presented in celebration of Youth Art Month.

March 8, 15, 22, and 29 – Abrams Planetarium Family Show: Dinosaurs: Bring your family and friends to the Abrams Planetarium to learn about Celeste: a child fascinated by dinosaurs. Watch her exciting adventure to learn about the start of earth and travel back in time to learn all about dinosaurs and their extinction. 

March 14 – Pi Day 5k: Join us for a Pi Day 5k at Hawk Island Park.

Greater Lansing Area Events

March 1 – Lighthouse Lookout Paint and Sip: Grab your friends or a date and join us as we paint and sip during brunch at Lansing Brewing Company! Local artists inspire and instruct Wine and Canvas classes with step-by-step instructions to create your finished masterpiece on a 16×20 canvas. Everyone leaves with a personal masterpiece.

Recurring Weekly on Wednesdays – Live Trivia Night at HopCat: Join us at HopCat East Lansing every Wednesday for Sporcle Live Trivia! Two rounds, two chances to score prizes. 

March 6 – An Evening With The Erly: Formed in 2018, The Erly features an ensemble of musicians that all contribute to lead vocals and solos. Trading in platform shoes for cowboy boots, OH10 reveals The Erly’s roots with a stripped back, rambunctious arrangement, and portrays a story about how they were once stranded in Ohio. Visit Horrock’s Tavern to hear them live for yourselves! 

March 19 – March Madness Trivia: Visit High Caliber Karting & Entertainment for March Madness Trivia Night, where college basketball history, legendary teams, and unforgettable tournament moments take center stage.

Farmers Markets

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

March 7 and 21 – Meridian Indoor Farmers’ Market: Farmers’ Market Moves Indoors! The Market will move indoors to the JCPenney corridor of the Meridian Mall Starting on Saturday, November 29 and will run through April. 

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. 

Job posting for an Engineering/Physicist Accelerator II for the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams. Application deadline is March 25. Please apply at careers.msu.edu.

Job of The Week: Engineering/Physicist Accelerator II

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

This week’s featured job is an Engineering/Physicist Accelerator II for the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (job posting 1114038). If you are interested in supporting the mechanical engineering department on design, production, assembly, implementation, and more, this may be the role for you.

The Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) at Michigan State University is a world-class research and training center, hosting the most powerful rare-isotope accelerator. FRIB is where researchers come together to make discoveries that change the world. They study the properties and fundamental interactions of rare isotopes and nuclear astrophysics and their impact on medicine, homeland security, and industry.

In this position, you will produce and document effective design solutions by developing system-level models and concepts. You will create 2D and 3D drawings in order to support engineering designs of technical equipment, and present design solutions and convene design reviews for feedback. Additionally, you will interact with project leaders and subject matter experts to turn technical requirements into design solutions, and assist in reviewing design layouts, testing, and modifications. Find a complete list of responsibilities in the job posting.

This position requires a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, physics or a closely related field. You should have 36 months of experience working in a mechanical engineering field or similar one, and experience in fabrication techniques, electronics, and mechanical and electronic drafting and computer systems, using CAD. Find a complete list of required and desired qualifications in the job posting.

Learn more about the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams. To learn more or apply for this position, please visit the MSU Careers website. Applications require a cover letter and resume, and should be submitted by March 25.