February Events Round-Up

Are you looking for activities for you and your family in the upcoming month? There are events (in-person and virtual) on campus and in the Greater Lansing community. Many events require registration, so be sure to click the links to learn more.

Campus Events

February 13The Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Awards Ceremony: Join the campus community in recognition of the exceptional and innovative contributions of students, staff and faculty in advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in teaching, research, programming, service, community outreach and organizational change.

Starts February 17Charlotte’s Web: Enjoy this classic story at the Fairchild Theatre from the MSU Department of Theatre. 

February 17 DIE/GEST Opening Reception (free): Visit the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum to see the opening of this interactive mixed media installation. This will include a special live music and spoken-word performance by jazz musician, Albert Marquès and Keith LaMar, a writer, artist and activist who has spent almost 30 years in solitary confinement on death row in Ohio.

February 26National Geographic Live: Head to the Wharton Center to learn all about whales.

Learning Opportunities

Starts February 7Implicit Bias Certificate (free): This series allows participants to examine the multiple facets of implicit bias and the impact on our community through a series of modules.

Starts February 7 Crucial Conversations for Accountability: This in-person series teaches nine powerful skills for resolving performance problems, strengthening trust and reliability and eliminating inconsistency through group discussion, real-time practice, and group support and coaching.

February 7 Disbursement Voucher Processing (free): This virtual class will provide detailed information about processing a disbursement voucher (DV) in KFS. 

February 8Building Cohesive Teams: Learn tactics for building collaboration within a team and skills for improving team performance in this virtual course.

February 10An Introduction to MSU Commons (free): This workshop will provide an introduction to the new open access platform, MSU Commons. This platform allows you to deposit your educational and scholarly work and connect with others. 

February 14Adoption Through Foster Care (free): The Family Resource Group is hosting this Zoom presentation to discuss the process of adoption through the foster care system.

February 15 Building a Framework for Resilient Leadership: Explore with other campus leaders some essential resilience skills required for effective leadership for the common good.

February 15Emotional Intelligence as a Foundation to DEI Work (free): As part of the “Confident Women Series,” this Zoom session will help you develop a deeper understanding of emotional intelligence as it relates to DEI.

February 15Identify and Maximize Your Strengths: This assessment identifies your natural patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving, so that you can discover what makes you exceptional and maximize your potential.

February 16 Creating and Sustaining a Positive Workplace: This humorous virtual session will cover the seven habits of negativity.

February 20Cultural Competency (free): This in-person session will cover cultural awareness and inclusivity skills that strengthen cultural competence.

February 21 Finding Time: Time Management Strategies for Busy Professionals (free): This class will explore strategies to more efficiently allocate your minutes, streamline workflow and relieve some pressure in the process.

February 22 Strategic Planning: Learn how to move from ideas to action in this virtual workshop.

Health and Wellness

Starts February 8Boundaries (free): This weekly Zoom workshop will help you learn how to establish boundaries in the workplace and at home.

Starts February 1Food and Nutrition Counseling (free): Take advantage of a one-on-one session with a registered dietitian to discuss how your lifestyle and eating habits may impact your health.

Family-Friendly Activities

Starts February 3Skywatchers of Africa: Visit the Abrams Planetarium to learn about the diversity of African astronomy in this new show. 

Starts February 5A Story of Survival Dinosaurs: Visit the Abrams Planetarium to see this fictional story about real-life dinosaur evolution. 

February 4 Family Day: EDIT (free): Join the MSU Broad Art Museum for their monthly family day. For this month’s theme, copy, cut and paste to see something new.

Starts February 11 Ice Safari: Visit the Potter Park Zoo to see ice sculptures and some of your favorite winter animals.

February 13Monday Night Open House (free): View insects from all over the world at the MSU Bug House. 

Starts February 25 Greater Lansing Orchid Society Show and Sale (free): Enjoy the beautiful flowers and exhibits while learning how to grow orchids.

Job of the Week: Assistant Director/Multicultural Development Manager

This week, MSU Human Resources features a posting from the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion for an Assistant Director/Multicultural Development Manager (posting 843580). The Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion guides and supports efforts to advance a diverse and inclusive campus community, consistent with MSU’s core values.

The Multicultural Development Manager would be working within the Diversity Research Network (DRN), which supports faculty of color and diversity researchers. They will supervise designated staff and oversee outreach efforts to promote and disseminate DRN information. They will also maintain a relationship with University Advancement to raise funds for the DRN. Find a list of all responsibilities on the MSU Careers website.

The future Multicultural Development Manager should be a highly motivated and innovative individual with a four year degree in behavioral sciences or business administration. It’s preferred that candidates have a master’s or Phd in education, social sciences or a related field. Their working knowledge should include five to eight years of experience in organizational development and diversity programming.

To learn more about the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion, visit inclusion.msu.edu. To apply for this position, prepare a resume, cover letter, report or summary writing sample, contact information for 2 professional references and apply here by February 7.

Nominations are Open for the Student Employee of the Year Award!

If you work at MSU, you know how important student employees are to the success of your department and the university. Do you know a student who consistently goes above and beyond in their work? Supervisors have the chance to recognize these exemplary Spartans by nominating them for the Student Employee of the Year award by February 10, 2023.

Find more details and the nomination form on the Department of Student Life website.

Eligible nominees must be:

  • Currently registered in an MSU degree-granting program.
  • Employed on student employee payroll for a minimum of three months between June 1, 2022 and May 31, 2023.
  • Nominated by their supervisor. Only one student employee may be nominated per supervisor. Complete an online nomination form here.
    Note: Graduate assistants, residence hall staff and other student employees who do not fall under the jurisdiction of MSU Student Employment or the Student Employee Payroll may not be nominated for this award. They are eligible for other recognition programs.

All nominees will be honored with certificates. The MSU Student Employee winner’s name is submitted for consideration for the State of Michigan competition. All nominees will be acknowledged at a reception on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center, Big Ten A. Learn more about the award on the Department of Student Life website.

Job of the Week – Extension Specialist: Health and Nutrition Institute Associate Director

This week, MSU Human Resources features a posting from MSU Extension for a Health and Nutrition Institute Associate Director (posting 835156). MSU Extension aims to be part of community conversations, maintain positive environments, and foster inclusivity. Learn more about MSU Extension.

The Associate Director is part of MSU Extension and the Health and Nutrition Institute (HNI), and provides statewide leadership and support of health, food safety and more. They will provide leadership to the institute’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) grant and Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP). They will also work with the HNI Director to provide support for HNI staff and program management. Find a list of all responsibilities on the MSU Careers website.

The applicant should have a Master’s degree in nutrition, food science, or a related health field of study, but a Ph.D. is preferred. Their working knowledge should include five years of experience in Extension or similar organization with an emphasis on nutrition education, food science or community and public health. They should also have experience and proven ability working productively with a team serving in both leadership and contributor roles and development of multi-disciplinary collaborations. 

To learn more about MSU Extension, visit www.canr.msu.edu. To apply for this position, prepare a resume, cover letter, four professional references and apply here by February 6. 

Job of the Week: Project Manager

This week, MSU Human Resources features a posting from the College of Arts and Letters for a Project Manager (posting 837257). The College of Arts and Letters educates actors, artists, designers, filmmakers, linguists, philosophers, poets, teachers, translators, writers and much more in a creative, learning and nurturing environment.  

The Project Manager would support the efforts of the Mellon Funded HuMetricsHSS initiative. This initiative creates and supports values-enacted frameworks for understanding and evaluating all aspects of the scholarly life well-lived and for promoting the nurturing of these values in scholarly practice. The Project Manager will develop, coordinate and implement projects affiliated with the HuMetricsHSS strategic initiatives. They will also analyze and summarize information and studies for use by management. For a list of all responsibilities, click here.

The future Project Manager should be a detail oriented communicator with a four-year degree in business administration, management or a related field. Their working knowledge should include project management, business analysis, facilitation and training with a focus on business management. Project Management certification is preferred. They should be extremely well organized and have excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills. This is a full-time 12-month end-dated position with expectation of annual renewal. 

To learn more about the College of Arts and Letters, visit cal.msu.edu. To apply for this position, prepare a resume and apply here by January 17.

Job of the Week: WKAR Project Engineer

This week, MSU Human Resources features a posting from the College of Communication Arts and Sciences for a WKAR Project Engineer (posting 836249). The College of Communication Arts and Sciences offers world-class training from faculty through innovation, dedication, individual strength and collaboration to students who continue to impress with notable accomplishments.

The WKAR Project Engineer is responsible for the technical aspects of the federal grant funded project, “Strengthening Equitable K-12 Access to Education to the Lansing Area Via Free Over the Air Service.” This position will coordinate and implement the technical and operational engineering aspects of WKAR’s ATSC 3.0 broadcast, which includes responsibility for equipment, programming, troubleshooting, and providing technical support collaboration with third parties.. For a list of all responsibilities, click here

The future WKAR Project Engineer should have a four-year degree in broadcast engineering, telecommunications engineering technology or a related field. Their working knowledge should include ATSC 3.0 broadcasting, its applications and Microsoft Office. They should also be comfortable in a virtual environment to provide training and resource support services. 

This is a limited term position for 18 months and has the opportunity to work in a hybrid work capacity.

To learn more about the College of Communication Arts and Sciences, visit comartsci.msu.edu. To learn more about WKAR, visit wkar.org. To apply for this position, prepare a resume, cover letter and apply here by January 19.

January Events Round-Up

Happy New Year! Are you looking for activities for you and your family to kick off the new year? There are events (in-person and virtual) on campus and in the Greater Lansing community. Many events require registration, so be sure to click the links to learn more.

Campus Events

January 17Sharks of the Arctic and Other Fossil Surprises (free): This MSU Museum program will explore fossil records and get a rare look at 50-million-year-old shark specimens.

Starts January 20 Blue Man Group: Experience a performance from the iconic group at the Wharton Center. 

January 21 Lunar New Year Celebration Concert: Celebrate the Lunar New Year at Cook Recital Hall with MSU artists and guests as they perform works by composers of Asian descent. 

January 22Celebration of the Beautiful Voice, Opera Theatre: Enjoy MSU Vocal Arts performances of scenes from operatic masterworks at the Fairchild Theatre.

January 29 2023 Running Start Live Pitch Competition (free): Witness student entrepreneurs in action as they pitch their innovative projects and music business ideas to a live audience and panel of judges. Audience members will have the opportunity to vote for the People’s Choice Award. 

Learning Opportunities

January 10How to Talk to Your Kids About Race (free): The Family Employee Resource Group is hosting this Zoom session to teach parents and caregivers about bias and racism.

January 12 Stable Links Workshop (free): This Zoom workshop will guide participants through the process of integrating journal articles, e-book chapters or streaming media into their course(s).

January 23Mendeley Demonstration and Q&A (free): This online session will allow participants to ask questions and learn how to utilize the Mendeley citation management program. 

January 25The 2nd Annual Malcolm X Muslim Studies Community Forum (free): This MSU Muslim Studies Program event will feature Leading American Muslim Scholars, Imam Omar Suleiman and Imam Abdullah Oduro.  

Health and Wellness

January 15SpARTan Wellness: JOURNALING (free): Come to the MSU Broad Art Museum and create a journal to help focus and reflect on your goals, hopes and anxieties in the new year. 

Starts January 23Blue Cross Winter Warm Up (free): Engage in physical activity during the winter months with this 5K training program. The program is open to walkers and runners of all ages and abilities. 

Starts January 25Finding Time: Time Management Strategies for Busy Professionals (free): This Zoom class will explore strategies to more efficiently allocate our minutes, streamline workflow and relieve some pressure in the process.

Starts January 31Active Office Workshop (free): Join this Zoom course to learn the best practices for staying active in an office setting. 

Family-Friendly Activities

January 4Together Let’s Sing, Dance and Jam!! (free): This virtual event will feature musical therapists from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services and allow those of all ages and abilities to move around. 

Starts January 6Ice Worlds: Visit the Abrams Planetarium to learn about the Arctic and Antarctic regions. 

January 7Family Day: DREAM (free): Join the MSU Broad Art Museum for their monthly family day. For this month’s theme, you’ll be creating dream worlds where anything can happen.

January 14Let’s Warm Up – Kids Cooking Class: Sweet Encounter Bakery is teaching children eight and up how to make some of winter’s favorite dishes.

January 15Sensory Friendly at Abrams Planetarium: Visit the planetarium this month for their sensory friendly hours.

Job of the Week: Accountant I

This week, MSU Human Resources features a posting from the Division of Student Life and Engagement for an Accountant (posting 832584). The Division of Student Life and Engagement engages students in active learning, ensures students are prepared for leadership roles and enhances educational environments. 

The Accountant position is responsible for providing accounting support and controls for a large division as it pertains to finances and budgets and will assist leadership and staff with accounting concerns. They will regularly interact with supervisors and purchasing to resolve discrepancies, provide accounting assistance and exchange information. They will also interact with the University Accounting Department, clerical support staff, student employees and university departments. For a list of all responsibilities, click here

The ideal candidate should have a four-year degree in accounting and one to three years of working knowledge in financial statement and report preparation. They should have experience with general ledger accounting and budgeting. They should also have knowledge of basic computer terminology and operations.

To learn more about the Division of Student Life and Engagement, visit sle.msu.edu. To apply for this position, prepare a resume, cover letter and apply here by January 3.

Work-Related Goals with Resources to Help You Achieve Them

Updated December 2023

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

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

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

Job of the Week: Extension Specialist – Fixed

This week, MSU Human Resources features a posting from MSU Extension Director’s Office for an Extension Specialist (posting 828709). MSU Extension aims to be part of community conversations, maintain positive environments and foster inclusivity. For more information about MSU Extension, click here

MSU Extension works to ensure that programming is delivered to diverse audiences, produces equitable impacts for all participants, and demonstrates partnership and inclusion for all groups. The Extension Specialist cultivates training programs, resources, materials and learning opportunities for MSU Extension staff members, community partners and other organizations and agencies across the state. 

Working as the MSU Extension Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Specialist, this role is a resource, in collaboration with the MSU Extension Director of Human Resources, on issues related to civil rights, diversity, equity, and inclusion that occur across the organization and within our community programs. They will report directly to the Director of Extension in coordination with the Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion within the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. For a list of all responsibilities, click here.  

The future Extension Specialist should be a multitasker with a Master’s degree in social services, cultural or ethnic studies or a related field. Their work knowledge should include three to five years of experience in DEI strategy and civil rights and equal opportunity laws and policies. The candidate should demonstrate drive, initiative and the ability to work productively with a team serving in both leadership and contributor roles. 

To learn more about MSU Extension, visit www.canr.msu.edu. To apply for this position, prepare a resume, cover letter, four professional references and apply here by January 5.