Tag: learning opportunities

June Events Round-Up

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

Summer is here, and there are many in-person and virtual events on campus and in the Greater Lansing area this June. Check out upcoming events for you and your family to celebrate and embrace the start of summer! Visit the links below to explore upcoming events and register if required. 

Campus Events

June 7 – Family Day: SUSTAIN: The first Saturday of the month means Family Day at the MSU Broad Art Museum, and this month we are exploring how we are connected to the land. You and your family can stop by the museum to make prints using local nature materials in connection with  Farmland: Food, Justice, and Sovereignty. 

June 8 and 29 – Music and the Garden: The MSU College of Music and Beal Botanical Garden invite you to a celebration of nature, music, and imagination, and explore this year’s theme of “Understanding Our World.” Take this opportunity to see plant collections in new ways and see how MSU gardens are being reimagined for the future. 

June 12 – MSU Juneteenth Celebration: Attend the 5th annual MSU Juneteenth Commemorative Celebration on Thursday, June 12, from 5:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Multicultural Center. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. This year’s theme is A Juneteenth Renaissance: Bridging Freedom’s Legacy and Tomorrow’s Vision. 

June 15 –  Museum Tour: Deep-Rooted with Beal Botanical Garden  Join Applied Ethnobotanist and Education Director of the Beal Botanical Gardens, Maeve Bassett, to learn about the social, historical, and political narratives within plants in the garden and artwork in the MSU Broad Art Collection.

June 21 – Growing Queer Care: Join Morgan Doherty (Ph.D. Candidate, Community Sustainability, Michigan State University) and Taylor Hartson (Ph.D. Candidate, Sociology, University of Notre Dame) to learn more about the work of queer farmers in the midwest for a Talk + Listen session. 

Family-Friendly Events

June 4 – Motivated by Nature 2.25-mile Trail Run/Walk:  Celebrate Global Runners Day and immerse yourself in a 2.25-mile trail loop through the 100-acre Harris Nature Center and Eastgate Park. Proceeds go to the Harris Nature Center Foundation to help fund the Nature Exploration Area expansion and for bus scholarship programs that help get students in the Greater Lansing area to attend education programs at the center. 

June 7 – Old Town Chalk of the Town: Visit Old Town Lansing to watch live as chalk art is created on the sidewalks by artists, visit unique boutiques, try a new restaurant, and more. 

June 16 and 23 – Sensory Friendly Hour at Bath Township Library: On the third and fourth Mondays of each month, visit the Bath Township Library for sensory-friendly hours. Staff will dim lights, provide sensory-friendly toys, fidgets, and noise-canceling headphones for those seeking a calming environment to explore books. 

June 18 – Family Night Cruise-In: Bring the kids to the cruise-in at the R.E. Olds Transportation Museum! There will be a bounce house, games, and goodies for kids, plus popcorn and popsicles for all ages!

Greater Lansing Area Events

Select dates in June – Lansing Lugnuts Home Games: “Go Nuts” and cheer on your local Lansing Lugnuts baseball team at Jackson Field this month! Check out their website for themes, promotions, tickets, and dates for June games.

June 14 – East Lansing PRIDE: Come celebrate the fourth annual East Lansing PRIDE! The event will feature an open floor drag show, live music, art activities, vendors, giveaways and more. Be sure to follow Downtown East Lansing on Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date on this event!

June 19 –  Lansing Fiesta & Carnival: Visit Adado Riverfront Park in Downtown Lansing for a celebration of music, culture and community with a carnival, food trucks, and live entertainment!

June 5, 12, 19 and 26 – Summer Concerts on the Square: Summer is almost here, which means Summer Concerts on the Square in Charlotte! New bands will play recurring weekly on Thursdays until the end of August. 

June 20, 21, 27 and 28 – Pride and Prejudice On Stage: Whether you are a lifelong fan of Jane Austen or are new to the world of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, don’t miss experiencing one of the most beloved romantic comedies live on stage this June!  

Learning Opportunities

June 4 – Crucial Influence: Leaders must be able to influence behavior to achieve team goals and organizational objectives, and the Crucial Influence Model reveals why people do what they do and how leaders at every level can influence behavior for lasting results. If you are a mid to high-level leader who is responsible for directing change and improving efforts, this is a great course for you! 

June 17 – Cultural Competency II: Building Respect in the Workplace: Participants will engage in deep dialogue around power and privilege, positionality, intersectionality, and how these dynamics impact relationships in the workplace. 

June 19 – 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. Use your research to express what you do best and grow your overall confidence.

June 26 – Mandatory Reporting Obligations for RVSM: MSU’s Prevention Outreach and Education (POE) presenters will review the University’s Mandatory Reporting for Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct and Title IX policy and employees’ expectations under the policy. This training will also provide attendees with practices and support for those affected by RVSM. 

Farmer’s Markets

Beginning June 1 – The East Lansing Farmers Market: Visit Valley Court Park from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. every Sunday in June for some shopping and fresh air at the East Lansing Farmers Market (ELFM). Here you can purchase a variety of fresh goods, farm-grown here in Michigan, including vegetables, fruits, bread, cheese, honey, flowers, and so much more. No registration needed. 

Beginning June 3 – Downtown Dewitt Farmers Market: Come to the Downtown Dewitt Farmers Market for an evening of exploring small businesses, home-grown foods, treats, and more! Every Tuesday in July, join us from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. for some shopping, food trucks and fun in Downtown Dewitt on a warm summer night.

Beginning June 5 – South Lansing Farmers Market: The South Lansing Farmers Market is open Thursdays, and is located at the corner of Jolly and S. MLK in Lansing! Stop by for farm fresh fruits and veggies, fresh cut flowers, arts and crafts, natural body and household products, and a food court featuring Mexican, Chinese, Lebanese, and Southern Soul food – a little something for everyone!

Add Movement to Your Workday

Published on by Abigail Miller1 Comment

May is Global Employee Health and Fitness Month—an international event created to celebrate and promote healthy living for employers and employees. There are many ways you can keep active and add movement to your workday, and MSU offers a variety of resources to add excitement to your workday. Read more about incorporating activity into your professional life and enhancing your health and agility. 

General Tips

MSU University Health and Wellbeing’s Move More @ Work campaign shares resources, information, and tips for adding movement to your workday, including:

  • Bring/wear a comfortable pair of shoes that allow for movement during breaks throughout the day.
  • Schedule physical activity throughout the day like you would a meeting, and make it a part of your routine.
  • Stay hydrated and eat a healthy lunch to keep your body fueled.
  • Invest in a walking desk! Walking/treadmill desks offer many benefits, including improved physical health, increased productivity, reduced back pain, lower blood pressure, and increased energy levels. 
  • March in place at your desk, or stand up every other time you send an email or make a phone call. 

Campus Resources

  • Register for Desk Decompress every Thursday from May 29 to August 14. This virtual 15-minute class will stretch and strengthen your wrists, neck, spine, and shoulders, all from the comfort of your own desk!
  • Move in the Garden is held most Wednesdays from July 9 to September 17 at 12:15. Free outdoor wellness program held under the Ginkgo Tree in Beal Garden that combines stretching, bodyweight strengthening, flow movements, and relaxation. Rain location: MSU Main Library
  • University Health and Wellbeing’s SPARTANfit team is offering 50% off their Fitness Assessment and InBody Body Composition Analysis through June 27 for faculty, staff, & their partners. The Fitness Assessment is designed to assess your current fitness level through a combination of resting and exercising evaluations. This assessment gives you valuable insights and advice to create a personalized fitness and wellness plan to achieve your health objectives!
  • Try out a group fitness class! MSU Recreational Sports and Fitness offers a variety of group fitness classes with membership pricing for MSU employees.
  • 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 through 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’s transportation fleet. 
  • Take a walk around campus! Check out the Campus Meditation Map to learn more about over 25 different landmarks across MSU’s campus. You can also follow the MSU Self-Guided Walking Tour to explore areas of campus you have yet to see while on a break.

Learning Opportunities

  • Ergonomic Best Practices for Workplace Comfort and Safety: No matter your role at MSU, all employees benefit from a functional and comfortable workplace setup. This virtual session explores the basics of ergonomics, injury prevention, standing desk use, and stretches and exercises to help reduce the risk of work-related pain and discomfort. 
  • Finding Time: Time Management Strategies for Busy Professionals: It is easy for to-do lists to seem never-ending, and even easier for tasks to pile up if you have a busy schedule. While we can’t borrow or bottle time, this class will discuss strategies for time management, efficiently allocate minutes, and relieve pressure and stress throughout the process. 

Sources:

“Be More Active during Your Work Day.” Www.Heart.Org, 16 Jan. 2024, www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/getting-active/how-to-be-more-active-at-work. 

Opening image provided by Freepik.

April Events Round-Up

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

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

Campus Events

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

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

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

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

April 12 – Museum Tour: Deep-Rooted with Beal Botanical Garden: Join Applied Ethnobotanist and Education Director of the Beal Botanical Gardens Maeve Bassett to learn about the social, historical, and political narratives within plants in the garden and artwork in the MSU Broad Art Collection. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Learning Opportunities

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Greater Lansing Area Events

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

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

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

Family-Friendly Events

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

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

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

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

Farmers Markets

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

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

September Events Round-Up

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

If you and your family are looking for activities in the upcoming month, you’ve come to the right place. September holds many virtual and in-person opportunities in the Greater Lansing area for you to check out. Click the links below to explore future events and register if required.

Campus Events

September 7: Family Day: PAINT: Join us at the MSU Broad Art Museum from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for Family Day. You and your family can pick up a paintbrush and create paintings inspired by the artwork of Samia Halaby: Eye Witness. Registration is required for this free event. 

September 9: Monday Night Open House: Visit the MSU Bug House in the Natural Science Building for a bug-themed evening! From 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., come to room 147 to meet live insects and arachnids from around the world. Visit our website for directions! 

September 29: Collage Making for Liberation with Rebel Betty: From 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., join Chicago-based artist Rebel Betty for a collage-making workshop at the MSU Broad Art Museum. Explore the exhibit in collaboration with Diasporic Collage: Puerto Rico and the Survival of a People, and be sure to register for this free event.

Learning Opportunities

September 12 & 26: Deepening Your Essential Skills: If you have completed a Spartan Resilience Education course, you are eligible to continue learning at this webinar. Here you can ask questions, raise topics, and build community with your peers. Be sure to register for this free course through the link above! 

Family Friendly Events

September 12: BealFest2024: The Apple of MSU’s Eye: Come to the Beal Botanical Garden from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. to attend their annual fall celebration. This year’s theme highlights trees, and the event will include activities, performances, demonstrations, and trees to adopt for everyone. More information to come, so stay tuned!

September 13: 1920s Murder Mystery Dinner: Michigan Princess is hosting a brand new and immersive Murder Mystery Dinner experience from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Enjoy live music, interactive murder mystery entertainment, buffet-style dinner, and more all while cruising down the Grand River. The roaring twenties theme allows you to immerse yourself in the experience and play your own unique storyline for the evening. Tickets are $85/person and can be purchased at the link above. 

September 14: Lansing Princess Day: Experience a fun-filled day with your favorite princesses at Lansing Princess Day at the Ramada Lansing Hotel. Here you can experience 10 performances and activities with your little ones, including a meet-and-greet session with photos, hugs, and autographs. This event runs for approximately 90 minutes and all guests must purchase a ticket to attend. Little ones are encouraged to dress up as their favorite princess. Be sure to purchase your tickets soon, and check out the website for more information. 

September 19–22: 517 Hispanic Heritage Festival: Join us for a weekend of celebration this Hispanic Heritage Month for a weekend of fun, education, and entertainment in the Downtown District of Michigan’s State Capital! Come observe the largest display of Hispanic cultures, art, food, music, dancing, and more. On Saturday, September 21, the main event “A Taste of Hispanic Heritage Festival,” will take place from 3:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and will be closing the 100 and 200 blocks of Downtown Lansing. Check out the website for more details and parking information. 

Farmers Markets

Farmer’s markets are beloved events in many local communities allowing us an opportunity to support local farmers and small businesses and enjoy delicious produce, baked goods, and even homemade crafts and personal care items. Many Greater Lansing communities offer seasonal farmer’s markets. Find one near you at https://mifma.org/find-a-farmers-market/

Open Enrollment

Save the Date for October 3: The Open Enrollment Benefits Fair is early this year on Thursday, October 3 at Breslin Center. MSU benefit providers and MSU HR staff will be available to answer questions and/or help employees enroll in their benefits on-site at the Breslin Student Events Center. More information will be shared closer to the event date. Mark your calendar and stay tuned for details!