This weekâs featured job is a University Event Coordinator for Registered Student Organizations (job posting 957343), part of the Office of Spartan Experience. The Division of Student Life and Engagement is looking for an individual to supervise the registration of student organizations, plan events, and tend to fall and spring welcome events such as Sparticipation and Springticipation. The Office of Spartan Experiences pride themselves on creating opportunities for students to greater their relationships and goals with the school and their communities.
As the University Events Coordinator, you would be in charge of managing multiple existing initiatives while also implementing new initiatives that align with the schoolâs core values and inclusivity. You will collaborate with organizations such as the Spartan Leadership Center and the MSU Student Union Advisory Committee to carry out the tasks at hand. A crucial part of this position to be noted is you will be responsible for keeping student leaders safe, especially after late-night events. In this position, you will be responsible for running both committees associated with MSU and for enhancing the overall student experience.
To apply for this position, you should have a Bachelorâs degree in Public Relations, Communications, Business, etc. or have experience equivalent to one of those degrees. It is also important to have 3â5 years of work experience in PR or communications. You will be working heavily in planning and managing special events and use online tools such as spreadsheets, databases, desktop publishing and virtual presentations, so it is also crucial that you come in with background knowledge in these areas.
There are countless reasons to put off working on a project. Maybe youâre daunted by the size of it, or the deadline is far off, so you donât feel urgency to get moving. Whether your procrastination is the result of perfectionism, negative thought patterns, or even boredom, there are easy changes you can make to increase your motivation and complete high-quality work without missing deadlines.
Take charge of your day
Itâs easy to find excuses to not take action. I donât have time. Iâm too busy. Iâll do it later when things calm down. To move beyond procrastination, you need to take charge of your time.
Donât let external demands control your time. Deadlines and mundane tasks are likely a part of your days. Take charge of your schedule.
Minimize interruptions. Turn off your Teams, Outlook, and text notifications if you can. Block off time on your calendar. Prioritize your tasks. Ask yourself: What needs to be done now? What can wait until later?
Figure out and respect your preferred working methods and energy levels. Consider when youâre most productive and schedule your day accordingly.
Set small deadlines
If you sometimes feel like youâre accomplishing nothing, it may be because your idea of getting something done is too big.
Focus on the wins, no matter how small. Set small goals and interim deadlines throughout the day.
As you hit each small target, youâll build momentum and feel motivated to strive toward the next goal.
Achieve an optimal level of positive stress
We all face stress at work â deadlines to meet, unexpected problems to solve. It may sound counterintuitive, but a little stress can be a good thing. Positive stress can give you the energy you need to stay motivated. The key is to achieve an optimal level of healthy stress.
Know your limits. Find a challenge you can realistically take on.
Donât be complacent. Push yourself to achieve great things, one step at a time. Remember that a challenge should stretch you without breaking you.
Collaborate to stay engaged
When we pool our resources and expertise to work on a task with others, we share ideas, discuss options, and develop ideas as a team. One personâs enthusiasm might inspire you. New eyes bring new perspectives, which may help you look at a task in a new way.
To ensure your collaboration is effective, be sure you have a diverse group to offer different perspectives.
Allow some quiet space to build on the ideas that emerge.
Effective collaboration can be structured or informal.
Try these techniques to help you take action and leave procrastination behind, and look into self-paced, online elevateU resources for further motivation and guidance.
This weekâs featured job is a temporary position as a Laborer at Forest Akers Golf Courses for Infrastructure Planning and Facilities (job posting 956729). Forest Akers is the award-winning home course for Big Ten menâs and womenâs golf teams, earning Best Campus Courses four of the last six years, 2022 Best Golf Schools and Academies from Golf Digest, and more.
Forest Akers Golf Course is looking for someone to maintain and complete various routine tasks between their two public courses. In this temporary position, you will keep things in order and make the Forest Akers Golf Courses the most inviting place to be for students, staff and the community.
In this entry-level position, you will assist in performing maintenance tasks for specifically the East and West courses. Some of these responsibilities include mowing grass (including greens, tees, fairways, surrounds, etc.), seeding and sodding, and applying fertilizer. Additionally, you will also conduct preventative maintenance on the equipment, cleanup the courses, and perform maintenance on the irrigation systems regularly. MSU landscape services prides itself on helping employees maintain a positive work-life balance – capping you at 40 hours per week at the course.
To apply, you should have some knowledge of the tools, methods and materials utilized on golf courses. You should also have proper footwear, a good driving record, be comfortable lifting between 26-75 pounds, and be prepared to work in any weather condition. While those are the minimum requirements, it is desired the applicant is well-versed in golf course maintenance and snow removal, and have Michigan Commercial Pesticide Applicator License. If you are considering applying, be prepared for a collaborative environment and to understand different perspectives while navigating the technical aspect of the job!
Learn more about Forest Akers here. To learn more about the temporary position or if you are interested in applying, please visit the Careers at MSU website for more information.
Whether youâre planning a road trip, family picnic, or trip to the lake, there is so much to do in Michigan during the summer months. While these events can provide a ton of fun for your family, there are ways to make summer safer.
Tips for a Healthy Summer
Here are some tips to help keep you safe, stay informed, and keep the fun times rolling:
Sun Protection:Â Stay in the shade when you can, wear a hat, and donât forget about the sunscreen (at least SPF 15 is recommended for sun protection).
Stay Hydrated:Â Beat the summer heat and drink plenty of water.
Insect Protection:Â The best way to prevent mosquito bites and ticks is to wear insect repellent and long sleeves or pants. Check your clothing, body, and pets when you go inside!
Keep Cool:Â Take breaks from direct sunlight and use fans or air conditioning when needed. Take note of weather forecasts and plan events accordingly.
In addition to these tips, if you participate in a flexible spending account (FSA) you can use your funds to help pay for common summer necessities and camps for your kids.
Tips for Health Care FSA Funds
Save an average of 30% by using your Health Care FSA funds on the following eligible expenses that double as travel necessities:
Allergy medications
Blister care kits
Bug bite treatments
Orthotics/insoles
Sun reader eyeglasses
Sunscreen
SPF lip balm
Travel first-aid kits
Traveling neck pillows
UV detection stickers
And more!
Are you worried about buying something that isnât considered an eligible expense? Consider shopping at the online FSA Store for worry-free purchases since everything on the FSA Store website is a guaranteed eligible expense. Check out their monthly coupons and promo codes for additional savings.
If you donât have an FSA and are wondering if you should participate in one, learn more about the two types of FSAs available to benefit-eligible MSU employees on the HR website and consider enrolling in one or both types during the benefits Open Enrollment period in October this year.
The MSU Service and Retirement Recognition Award recognizes support staff employees celebrating a 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, or 45th work anniversary or a retirement falling between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023.
On May 13, we recognized over 600 employees celebrating long-term work anniversaries and retirements during an awards ceremony at the Kellogg Center. Our universityâs development and growth have been, in large part, due to the contributions made by its staff members, particularly those who have chosen to remain in the service of the university. This occasion was dedicated to those who have served the university through the years of its greatest development. It is a tribute to those who have found satisfaction in helping others and creating an impact for a better world.
MSU service and retirement award recipients and their colleagues, friends, and families during the ceremony. Some recipients are standing to acknowledge their years of service to the university.
MSU service and retirement award recipients and their colleagues, friends, and families during the ceremony. Some recipients are standing to acknowledge their years of service to the university.
Christina K. Brogdon, Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, addresses the award recipients during the ceremony.
Thomas Glasmacher, Interim Executive Vice President for Administrative Services, addresses the award recipients during the ceremony.
Scott Pohl (left) and Jody Knol from WKAR announced award recipient names during the ceremony.
Sparty thanks award recipients during the ceremony.
Sparty with a group of award recipients during the reception.
Sparty with a group of award recipients during the reception.
Sparty with a group of award recipients during the reception.
Sparty with a group of award recipients during the reception.
Sparty dancing to the live jazz band during the reception.
Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Christina K. Brogdon, and Interim Executive Vice President for Administration, Thomas Glasmacher, acknowledged award recipients and expressed their gratitude during the ceremony. Please review this yearâs awards program and watch a recording of the event below.
The university thanks these awardees for their talent, passion, loyalty, and contribution to our shared purpose. If you see a colleagueâs name in this yearâs awards program, be sure to congratulate them!
All photo credit: Dane Robison/TimeFramePhoto All video credit: Cheeney Media Concepts
When was the last time you celebrated failure? We are taught from a young age that failure is bad and something to fear. Because failures may bring negative repercussions, they are often hidden, ignored and downplayed. In reality, failure can be a powerful learning experience and is essential to success. When we embrace the idea of âfailing forwardâ, we develop perseverance, confidence and a new perspective on what it takes to succeed.
Types of Failure
Not all failures are the same, but each has important lessons to teach us.
Preventable failure happens in automated processes when a piece of equipment fails, a step is neglected or there is some other kind of malfunction. For this category, itâs important to determine how to best troubleshoot preventable failures. What safeguards are in place regarding people, equipment and environment? Make sure that all precautions have been taken to keep preventable failures from happening in the first place.
Complex failure happens when events or situations come together in unexpected ways that cannot be foreseen.
Intelligent failure is common in innovative projects and processes, where trial and error are simply part of the experiment.
Organizations and individuals best learn from all types of failures by having procedures in place, along with the willingness and readiness to actively detect, analyze and experiment within the workplace to catch errors quickly, learn from them, and embrace the growth and improvement that can be generated as a result.
Ideas for Action
Depending on the type of work you do, one of the three types of failure is probably more common than the others. Consider which is most likely to happen at your workplace and think about how you might handle that type of mistake or failure should it occur.
Come up with an example from your life for each type of failure: preventable, complex, and intelligent. Why did they happen, and how were they handled? Were the situations resolved? How did they affect you and others? Take some time to reflect on what you learned from these particular failures.
The Blame Game
If failure is essential to success, why does it feel so terrible when itâs happening? Failure and fault are virtually inseparable in most cultures and organizations. Every child learns at some point that admitting failure means taking the blame, and that pattern may then be reinforced in the workplace. One tremendous benefit of creating and encouraging a culture of psychological safety, in which the rewards of learning from failure can be fully realized, is that greater innovation and individual and organizational growth can occur.
The added challenge when it comes to reframing our ideas of failure is that the experience of failing is more than emotional â itâs also cognitive. We all favor evidence that supports our existing beliefs rather than alternative explanations. We also tend to downplay our responsibility and place undue blame on external or situational factors when we fail, only to do the reverse when assessing the failures of othersâa psychological trap known as fundamental attribution error. The courage to confront our own and othersâ imperfections with honest reflection and a focus on improvement and learning is crucial.
Ideas for Action
List a small number of failures youâve experienced over recent months. Can you recall how you felt and what thoughts occurred? Make a note of these feelings and thoughts. Can you identify a pattern? Is there a repetitive loop that you repeat every time you fail at something?
Take one of the failures from above, which initiated the repetitive loop you have identified. Write an alternative account of what happened.
The Importance of Leaders in Building a Learning Culture
Learning is inherently about failing. Leaders can create and reinforce a culture that counteracts the blame game and makes people feel both comfortable with and responsible for surfacing and learning from failures. They should insist on developing a clear understanding of what happened â not of âwho did itâ â when things go wrong. This requires consistently reporting failures, small and large, systematically analyzing them and proactively searching for opportunities to experiment. A work culture that recognizes the inevitability of failure in todayâs complex organizations and is willing to catch, correct and learn from failure leads to success, employee satisfaction and loyalty. A work culture that wallows in the blame game will not.
Itâs imperative for leaders to move beyond the false notion that if people arenât blamed for failures, theyâll become âlazyâ and stop putting in the effort to do their best work. In actuality, a culture that makes it safe to admit and report on failure can coexist with high standards for performance. Not all failures are created equal. Taking the time to analyze the reasons behind why a failure occurred before determining appropriate action will do far more for a team than assuming that assigning blame will lead to improvement in the long run.
One interesting study asked executives to estimate how many of the failures in their organizations were truly blameworthy; their answers were usually in single digits â around 2% to 5%. They were then asked how many failures were treated as blameworthy; they admitted that was closer to 70% to 90%. One unfortunate consequence of this scenario is that many failures go unreported, and their lessons are lost.
Ideas for Action
Assess whether your teams offer a sense of psychological safety. Do the members of the team have confidence that the team will not embarrass, reject or punish them for speaking up with ideas? Questions? Concerns? Mistakes? Are each person’s contributions valued? If you answered yes on each measure, that team possesses a strong sense of psychological safety.
Leaders and supervisors need to actively create psychological safety because their position of power or status naturally suppresses peopleâs ability to speak up. This can be done by publicly acknowledging their own fallibility and emphasizing the need for each personâs contributions. They can also respond positively when people do bring things forward. From the results of the preceding exercise, choose a team with a low or mid-level of psychological safety. Develop an action plan for how the team leader or manager can improve the level of psychological safety.
Like everything in life, reframing failure becomes easier with practice. When failures inevitably occur, remind yourself and others that failure is temporary, and failure is good even if, undeniably, it feels really bad when it happens. When something goes wrong, practice saying, “Something good is happening here.â Look for the greater message of the experience and expect it to, eventually, turn out for the good.
Fatherâs Day is right around the corner, and if you are still looking to show the dad in your life that you care, look no further than these discounts! Whether itâs your dad, husband, father-in-law or any other important guy in your life, take advantage of these exclusive Fatherâs Day savings using MSU Benefits Plus.
To access all the discounts, visit MSU Benefits Plus and sign up for a free account using your MSU email address.
Check out some of these deals that you can find through MSU Benefits Plus:
Sports
Forest Akers Golf Course â MSU employees with a valid MSU ID receive reduced rates on playing and shopping at the two 18-hole championship layout golf courses and two full-service golf shops!
Premium Seats USA â Get 10% off sporting event tickets on Premium Seats USA using the code CORESTREAM at checkout.
Technology
Dell â MSU Benefits Plus members get the best pricing available on all Dell PCs, electronics and accessories with the Dell Member Purchase Program.
Apple â MSU employees qualify for preferred pricing on all of Appleâs latest products. This includes employee pricing and ratings and reviews on accessories and software. Order from the online Apple EPP store and identify yourself as a Corestream member when purchasing.
Shopping and Entertainment
Tickets at Work â MSU employees can save up to 40% on movie tickets nationwide.
MSU Meat Lab â MSU employees with a valid MSU ID can receive a discount on quality meats and other items right on campus.
Restaurant.com â Save 20% on all gift certificates. Explore new restaurants, save at old favorites, or enjoy quality takeout meals with Restaurant.com.
Find these savings as well as many other benefits by visiting the MSU Benefits Plus portal. Sign up or log in today and have a fun, family-filled Fatherâs Day!
This weekâs featured job is an Occupational Safety Compliance Officer position for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) (job posting 955849). CANR is seeking an Occupational Safety Officer to enhance and lead the Collegeâs safety management program. In the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, students use science, technology, engineering, mathematics, business and creative design to tackle some of the worldâs biggest problems related to food, health and the environment.
In this senior-level position, you will oversee workplace health and safety for CANR faculty, staff, students, and visitors while building and fostering a safety-focused culture. In addition, you will develop, implement, evaluate, and continuously improve a comprehensive occupational health and safety management system. The Occupational Safety Officer will also investigate safety and health concerns and maintain records necessary to demonstrate compliance with applicable Federal, State, and local health, safety, and environmental regulations.
The ideal candidate for this position will have a Bachelor’s Degree in engineering, industrial hygiene, occupational safety, physics, chemistry or a closely related field. Five to eight years of related work experience in industrial/occupational safety and developing and delivering safety training is also required. Experience within an agriculture setting is preferred, but not required to apply.
To learn more, visit the CANR website. To apply for the position, please submit a resume, cover letter and three references to the MSU Careers website by June 11.
Congratulations to this yearâs recipient of the Ruth Jameyson âAbove and Beyondâ Award, Lori Fischer! This award honors a support staff employee who goes âabove and beyondâ in their job at MSU while pursuing a graduate degree concurrent with their employment. Lori is the Director of Operations for the Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. She has been with MSU for 13 years and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Management, Strategy and Leadership from Michigan State University.
Loriâs leaders and colleagues have this to say about her:
âLori’s commitment to her role as the Director of Operations at the Burgess Institute reflects the qualities embodied by Ms. Ruth Jameyson. Much like Ms. Jameyson, Lori has gone “above and beyond” in her duties, contributing significantly to the success and recognition of MSU’s entrepreneurship program. Under Lori’s leadership, the program has achieved remarkable milestones, including being recognized by the Princeton Review as one of the top 25 Undergraduate Entrepreneurship programs in the country.â
âFor as long as I have known Lori, she has been an advocate for helping students in the state of Michigan gain access to opportunities to develop their entrepreneurial mindset. The opportunity to work directly with Lori is one of the reasons I joined the Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at MSU.”
âLori’s passion for supporting student venturers and fostering entrepreneurial education has had a profound impact on the entrepreneurial ecosystem at MSU and beyond. Lori has demonstrated a genuine concern for students both in and out of the classroom. Her commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is evident through her initiatives at the Burgess Institute and her role on the Broad College’s Staff Leadership Committee’s Recognition Committee.â
Watch a video of Lori finding out she won the Ruth Jameyson Award below or on YouTube:
The Awards Ceremony
Lori Fischer seated next to Gliozzo Clerical-Technical Recognition Award Recipient, Meg Quine.
Award Selection Committee Chairman, Ray Gasser, along with colleagues, friends and family honor award recipients.
Lori Fischer speaking at the award ceremony.
(Left to Right) Christina K. Brogdon, Lori Fischer, Thomas Glasmacher, and Ray Gasser.
Gliozzo, Jack Breslin and Ruth Jameyson Award Recipients (Left to Right) Meg Quine, Ken Beer, Jesse Alvarez, Amanda Goll, Sarah Evans-Cain, Mark Fellows, Lori Fischer, and Darwin Meirndorf.
On May 13, Lori was honored at an awards ceremony at the Kellogg Center for the Ruth Jameyson, Jack Breslin and Gliozzo Clerical-Technical Award recipients. Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Christina K. Brogdon, Interim Executive Vice President for Administration, Thomas Glasmacher, and Award Selection Committee Chairman, Ray Gasser acknowledged Loriâs hard work and expressed their gratitude during the ceremony. A recording of the event is available below or on YouTube:
About the Ruth Jameyson âAbove and Beyondâ Award
This annual award recognizes a support staff member who most closely exemplifies the contributions, personal characteristics, and commitment to MSU demonstrated by Ms. Jameyson, going âabove and beyondâ what is reasonably expected to support the mission of MSU. In recognition of Ms. Jameysonâs own pursuit of a graduate degree while working at MSU, the award recipient must be pursuing a graduate degree at MSU or elsewhere concurrent with their employment at MSU.
Ms. Ruth Jameyson, who died in 2007 at the age of 100 years, served as the secretary to MSU President Robert S. Shaw from 1938 to 1941 and secretary/administrative assistant to President John A. Hannah from 1941 to 1969. She served as both greeter and gatekeeper to the numerous students, faculty and staff seeking to meet Dr. Hannah, as well as dignitaries from around the globe. Ms. Jameyson accepted roles and responsibilities far beyond her formal job description. Having arrived in Lansing with a bachelorâs degree in mathematics from Coe College, Iowa, Ms. Jameyson pursued a masterâs degree in economics at MSU while working full-time.
This award has been created and funded by friends of Ruth Jameyson; Barbara Sawyer-Koch, MSU trustee emerita, and Donald F. Koch, MSU professor emeritus.
All photo credits: Dane Robison/TimeFramePhoto All video credit: Cheeney Media Concepts
The Jack Breslin Distinguished Staff Award honors six MSU support staff members annually. Colleagues submit nominations of individuals who demonstrate the qualities of Jack Breslin, who served MSU as a student leader, honored athlete, top administrator, and steadfast advocate, personifying the âSpartan Spirit.â
Congratulations to this yearâs recipients: Jesse Alvarez, Ken Beer, Sarah Evans-Cain, Mark Fellows, Amanda Goll, and Darwin Meirndorf! These recipients display excellence in their job performance, supportive attitude, and contributions to MSU. On May 13, they were honored at an awards ceremony at the Kellogg Center along with the Ruth Jameyson Above and Beyond and Gliozzo Clerical-Technical Recognition award recipients.
You can learn more about each Jack Breslin award recipient below.
Jesse Alvarez
(left to right) Christina K. Brogdon (Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer), Jesse Alvarez (Jack Breslin Award Recipient), Thomas Glasmacher (Interim Executive Vice President for Administration), and Ray Gasser (Chairman).
Jesse Alvarez (right) accepting the Jack Breslin Award from the presenter.
Jesse Alvarez speaking during the awards ceremony.
Jesse Alvarez surrounded by MSU colleagues, friends, and family.
Jesse Alvarez is the Law Clinic Manager in the College of Law and has been in his role for 13 years. He is known for his dedication, kindness, and humor. Jesse manages daily MSU Law Clinic operations and assists with projects involving space, systems, and services. He is good-natured, patient, and is considered the best resource for questions regarding office procedures and clinic operations. Here is what his colleagues had to say about him:
âFor the purposes of the Jack Breslin Award, I challenge anyone to find someone who more deeply embodies the âSpartan Spiritâ than Jesse Alvarez. Jesse does his work with a deep love for Michigan State University and the people who come here to study and work.â
âJesse is that one-in-a-million staff person that ends up being the glue holding everything together. He is truly a friend and confidant to everyone he meetsâfaculty, staff, and students alike. He always goes above and beyond to help, often setting aside what he was working on to help. He is not simply the Law Clinicâs office manager, he is the heart of our operation, and he is bettering the lives of all of us.â
âIn everything he does, Jesse is mission-driven. He asks himself not whether a task is part of his job but how he can improve the services, both legal and educational, that we seek to provide. He thinks creatively about how to accomplish goals. His understated manner belies his passion for our work and the indispensable role he plays in making it happen.â
(left to right) Christina K. Brogdon (Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer), Ken Beer (Jack Breslin Award Recipient), Thomas Glasmacher (Interim Executive Vice President for Administration), and Ray Gasser (Chairman).
Ken Beer speaking during the awards ceremony.
Ken Beer surrounded by MSU colleagues, friends, and family.
Ken Beer is the Senior Fiscal Officer for the College of Communication Arts and Sciences Deanâs Office and has served MSU for over 22 years. Kenâs job duties include the management of all accounts and budget in the ComArtSci Dean’s Office. He is known as âSpartan Spiritâ and âSpartans Willâ personified. Ken is known, respected, and counted on across MSU for his extraordinary attention to detail, willingness to go the extra mile to help anyone who asks, and his ability to bring people together. Kenâs colleagues had this to say about him:
âKen possesses a remarkable ability to anticipate the needs of his department and proactively address them. He consistently seeks ways to enhance our processes and procedures, always with a humble approach that considers the well-being of faculty, staff, students and college leaders.â
âKen’s exceptional dedication, proactive approach, promotion of inclusivity, and unwavering commitment to the College and University make him a most deserving candidate for the Breslin Award. He is not only an asset to our college, but a shining example of what it means to be a Spartan.â
âKen is one of the most caring people you will ever meet. He is the personification of what it means to be the salt of the earth. Professionally, he is dedicated to modeling what it means to be an outstanding collaborative caretaker of the College of Communication Art and Sciences finances. Personally, his positive, supportive attitude for all whom he meets, no matter their origin or position in life, illuminates what it means to be a true MSU Spartan.â
(left to right) Thomas Glasmacher (Interim Executive Vice President for Administration), Sarah Evans-Cain (Jack Breslin Award Recipient), Christina K. Brogdon (Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer), and Ray Gasser (Chairman).
Sarah Evans-Cain accepting the Jack Breslin Award from the presenter.
Sarah Evans-Cain speaking during the awards ceremony.
Sarah Evans-Cain surrounded by MSU colleagues, friends, and family.
Sarah Evans-Cain serves as the Administrative Coordinator for the Lyman Briggs College. She has served MSU for over seven years and her duties include supporting the Assistant Dean, seven academic advisors, two career staff, supervising three student employees, and providing supportive service to 2,000 students and over 60 faculty in the college. She manages classroom scheduling, travel arrangements, calendaring for the SSA team, and academic processes like major changes, overrides, and degree certifications. Here is what her colleagues had to say:
âSarah is an outstanding coworker. Iâve been continually impressed with her ability to approach every situation with patience, respect, and professionalism. Sheâs our first line of defense and oftentimes the first impression visitors have of LBC. She has an uncanny ability to make students and families feel comfortable and heard so they leave feeling supported. Sarah is always the first person to jump in and help with any situation and represents what it truly means to be a team player. Not only has she helped us all become better employees and better serve our students, but she also creates a welcoming environment where we all feel we can grow and learn because weâre supported.â
âWhat truly sets Sarah apart is her patience and kindness. No matter how many times I’ve sought clarification or assistance, she has consistently responded with unwavering patience. Moreover, Sarah consistently goes above and beyond in the office. Her flexibility during times of adversity showcases her care for our success and well-being.â
âSarah adopts a well-rounded approach to ensure the success of both students and the team. Sarah’s approach to ensuring success is meticulously balanced, catering not only to the students but also to the team. Her empathetic and compassionate nature forms the backbone of her contributions while working with professional staff and students. Her exceptional foresight and intuition in assisting with the implementation of successful strategies are unparalleled, making her an invaluable asset to any team she works with.â
(left to right) Thomas Glasmacher (Interim Executive Vice President for Administration), Mark Fellows (Jack Breslin Award Recipient), Christina K. Brogdon (Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer), and Ray Gasser (Chairman).
Mark Fellows (right) accepting the Jack Breslin Award from the presenter.
Mark Fellows speaking during the awards ceremony.
Mark Fellows is the Communications Manager in the Office of the President and has been with MSU for 15 years. Mark helps lead the development of primary communications materials for MSU’s president and collaborates with University Communications to design effective communications strategies and cultivate communication opportunities for the MSU president. He also works to elevate the reputation of Michigan State University by increasing the visibility of the president and the university in the news media. His colleagues had this to say about him:
âNever one to settle for âacceptable,â always one to push for distinctive value in his writing, Markâs consistent adherence to a higher standard continues to guide his fundamental ethos and everyday approach to his work. While serving at a high level, and for the highest-profile leader at MSU, Mark has maintained a poised professionalism that embodies the universityâs land-grant ethosâhumble, hardworking, collaborative, forward-thinking, and inclusive.â
âThe maturity, poise and professionalism Mark exhibits in his daily work provide a model for all with whom he interacts, creating a multiplier effect that encourages all to reach for such high standards. His even presence and kind words have buoyed me and others up during some challenging times and inspired us to bring our best selves to work every day.â
âOverall, Markâs quiet, behind-the-scenes work has provided MSUâs presidents with solid support since 2009. It is the kind of work that is invisible to most, rarely lauded, but so fundamentally necessary to the daily needs of the president and the university. The unpretentious humility and keen intelligence of Markâs character have undoubtedly contributed to his success in this role, a success worthy of praise and of recognition as a truly distinguished staff member of this great university.â
(left to right) Thomas Glasmacher (Interim Executive Vice President for Administration), Amanda Goll (Jack Breslin Award Recipient), Christina K. Brogdon (Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer), and Ray Gasser (Chairman).
Amanda Goll (right) accepts the Jack Breslin Award from the presenter during the awards ceremony.
Amanda Goll speaking during the awards ceremony.
Amanda Goll surrounded by MSU colleagues, friends, and family.
Amanda Goll is the Deputy Chief of Staff for the Office of the President and has been with MSU for 13 years. She wears many hats in the Presidentâs office including human resources officer, budget officer, fiscal officer, supervisor of the office receptionist, and business administrative manager. In addition, Amanda engages in special projects which include representing the President’s Office on university committees, supporting project management, and implementation of key initiatives across campus. Here is what her colleagues had to say:
âAmanda is one of the most trusted sources for advice and counsel among fiscal officers and HR professionals on campus. Through multiple transitions of Presidents, she has been a calm and steady influence with the President’s Office staff. Amanda is also a helpful guide for new staff and a listening ear for both new and experienced staff in navigating the complexity of transition at the very top of the institution. Amanda does this by making herself available as an empathetic listener, who seeks to build relationships and trust among those with whom she interacts.â
âAmanda has an incredible âcan-doâ attitude that is both professional and welcoming. As one might imagine, the nature of issues she is often asked to resolve can be highly complex and sensitive in nature. Amandaâs creativity and intelligence enable her to handle such complex issues expertly and quickly. Her strong working relationships across departments contribute to her success in tackling what can be very thorny issues.â
âAmanda leads with a focus on being openâminded, calm, and patient. I know when I meet with Amanda that I have her undivided attention. She is connected and listens. She brings commitment and dedication to any topic and is a highly collaborative partner. Additionally, she is one to ensure all viewpoints are addressed. Itâs with her keen sense of listening and observation skills that she can identify and understand needs and initiate ways to support efforts to address those needs.â
(left to right) Thomas Glasmacher (Interim Executive Vice President for Administration), Darwin Merindorf (Jack Breslin Award Recipient), Christina K. Brogdon (Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer), and Ray Gasser (Chairman).
Darwin Merindorf accepting the Jack Breslin award from the presenter.
Darwin Merindorf speaking during the awards ceremony.
Darwin Merindorf surrounded by MSU colleagues, friends, and family.
Darwin Meirndorf is a boiler mechanic with Infrastructure Planning and Facilities and has been with MSU for 43 years. His work includes customer service, maintaining HVAC and boiler equipment, and coordinating with others across the university on essential mechanical system issues. Darwinâs colleagues had this to say about him:
âOver my years of service at the University, Iâve had conversations with a variety of individuals from different departments. Their stories and interactions are all the same when they speak of Darwin. They all talk about his hard work, knowledge, accountability, character, customer service and actions of going above and beyond his normal job duties. He is always the first person to help family, friends, and the community food bank outside of work as well. He is the type of individual who represents MSU in every aspect the university is looking for in an employee. I know in my heart he is very deserving of this award.â
âDarwin interacts well with customers and coworkers, showing care and consideration for others. During my time working with Darwin, I noticed that when dealing with customers, he would be sure to make initial contact with them to hear their concerns before going to work on the problem. This increases efficiency and reduces the need for a return call by knowing more than just the basic information relayed through the work order. In addition, he made sure to follow up with them to let them know the status of the situation, be it resolved or needing further action from him. Darwin has always been willing to assist anyone in the HVAC shop and make sure everyone is taken care of.â
âI would not be where I am today without Darwinâs knowledge and expertise guiding me and teaching me. Darwin will go anywhere and do anything to help solve my problems. He is priceless. Tears were in my eyes when I gave him a hug before he walked out the door for retirement in 2012, and I was elated when he returned to the university in 2016.â
