WorkLife Connections Newsletter
May 2021
Upcoming Events
See what's happening this month.
Service Spotlight
The WorkLife Office has 5 listservs. The newest listserv is our resource list. This is a list where you can ask the other Spartan members for recommendations or referrals like: who has a reliable mechanic in the area? Does anyone know a therapist in town who works with teens? Who has an experienced handyperson they can recommend? And so much more. 
Webinar spotlight
Assertiveness: The secret ingredient for self-care and unlocking your untapped power.
screen picture of the Assertiveness presentation
Learning Objectives 
  1. Understanding important differences between assertiveness, aggression, passivity, and passive-aggressiveness.  
  2. How assertiveness facilitates self-care and well-being.  
  3. Strategies for increasing assertiveness for self-care and empowerment. 
person standing in a doorway with other colleagues behind
Well-being at Work
Well-being at work is important. It honors each employee as a complete person both inside and outside of work. The goal of the Well-being at Work guide is to provide evidence-based best practices in order to recruit and retain high-quality candidates and create healthier workplaces and teams, as we take care of our well-being and the well-being of each other.
zoom photo of a WorkLife student team meeting
Thank you to our fabulous student interns and staff
The MSU WorkLife Office is proud of the work our student interns and staff members provide to the MSU community. With a small staff, our students allow us to expand our reach while providing a learning opportunity for students in their areas of study.
MSU COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
Michigan State University is a large campus with many different opportunities. Sometimes, connecting with colleagues who share research interests or values can help make an enormous campus feel more like a community. Below are just a few suggestions about where you might get started. See what groups are available in the MSU community.
MSU receives national gold status as bicycle-friendly university
The League of American Bicyclists has awarded MSU a gold-level Bicycle Friendly University designation for the first time to recognize the university’s efforts to enable safe, accessible bicycling on campus.
The Spartans Will, Spartans WELL Podcast: A space where educators can dock to get a second wind 
During this biweekly podcast, guests respond to questions submitted by educators with stories and strategies that can inspire hope as listeners deal with challenging realities that have changed their lives. Spartans Will, Spartans WELL is hosted by members of the MSU Community with expertise in educator and student well-being. The podcast has been designed to let listeners know they belong, they matter, and they make a difference. 
FAMILY
Selfcare for Caregivers
Maya Angelou once said, “Nothing will work unless you do.” We can only effectively help others when we first take care of ourselves. According to the Family Caregivers Alliance, there are roughly 40 million unpaid caregivers in the US caring for those over 18 and according to the US Census there are around 63.1 million parents in the US. Are you a caregiver? The first step we can take toward self-care is to identify ourselves as caregivers.
Take Your Child to Work Year
Typically at MSU, we welcome children to campus to experience the many different career options available either within the campus community or through the education achieved here. Over the past year, kids have gotten a unique experience with watching the adults in their lives handling work - some at home and some still traveling to locations. In lieu of Take Your Child to Work Day, we asked the kids what they think about their parents' jobs. 
RESEARCH
person at computer looking frustrated
A Lit Match in a Hayfield
Marilyn Noble knew she had named the problem correctly when she started getting stopped in the supermarket. She would be, say, hefting a pineapple when someone would sidle up and start talking to her about being abused at work. 
WORK
Kelly Millenbah with a big banner
Outstanding Supervisor Series:
Dr. Kelly Millenbah
Dr. Kelly Millenbah is Associate Dean and Director for Academic and Student Affairs (OASA) within the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR). She is a manager who demonstrates her integrity with every interaction. People want to work for Millenbah – and they work hard for her. She is someone who makes Michigan State University a better place for several reasons.
Nominate Your Outstanding Supervisor
Members of the MSU community are invited to nominate a supervisor/administrator who consistently supports the work-life (professional/personal) needs of their employees/staff through positive leadership and managerial practices.
HEALTH & WELL-BEING
Food and Nutrition 
Eating well is so much more than getting enough nutrients. Good food and joyful eating – that's the beginning of the recipe for health.
two people doing meditation
Fitness On Demand
The Fitness On Demand™ platform delivers consistent, high quality fitness media and programming through a variety of channels, creating the ideal virtual fitness experience for any environment. Choose from over 1,000 different videos!
CAREER
person in dress shirt with arms crossed
HERC Webinar/Blog Series: What Works for Women at Work – Basic Patterns of Gender Bias and How to Navigate Them at Work 
In this blog post series, you will learn about the four distinct patterns of gender bias, and strategies to navigate workplaces shaped by subtle bias. 
Part 1: Prove-It Again 
Part 2: Tightrope 
Part 3: Maternal Wall 
Part 4: Tug of War
EVENTS
person smiling at computer
Work and Wellness Connect series Mondays at noon
A space sponsored by MSU WorkLife Office to connect with other faculty, staff, and post-doc Spartans with a focus on combating isolation, creating a community, and sharing resources. 

Positive Parenting Series
Guiding Principles for High Successful Parenting is a five-part parenting series for parents and other caregivers. This series will explore ways that families can be highly effective in raising their kids to be successful in school and in life.

jars of coins
TIAA Financial Webinar Series 
Check out the upcoming May financial webinar topics. Webinars are recorded and available for 90 days. Anyone can pre-register or access on-demand sessions at TIAA.org/webinars Reserve your spot today - REGISTER now for TIAA’s live webinars. 
May 11 at 2 pm – Halfway There: A Retirement Checkpoint 
screen shot of zoom web meeting
Women's Networking Association (WNA)
The WNA connects professional women across campus through meaningful and empowering relationships. Providing an opportunity for women to network and support one another is an essential step for building women's leadership at Michigan State University and in the Greater Lansing community.
person caring for elderly family members
Adult Caregiver Affinity Group
Every fourth Thursday at 12 noon
This group is intended to virtually connect MSU faculty and staff who have caregiving responsibilities for adults in their lives and those navigating assisting a senior in their life with changing care needs. This group is open to anyone interested in connecting with other adult caregivers or learning about issues such as how to care for yourself as a caregiver, how to start conversations about living situation changes, or how to navigate end-of-life choices conversations.
kid excited with a school
Family Affinity Group
Every second Thursday at 12 noon
A place for Spartans to connect on family-related topics with the goal of connecting, building community, and sharing best practices regarding raising or caregiving for children and caregivers.
graphic with words Lets Talk about Mental Health
NEW SERIES: Mental Health
Starting in May
What are we up against? How does COVID-19 impact our mental health? How to we care for ourselves and others? What resources are available and how to we access them? Let's talk about these and other important questions as we address the intersection of physical health and mental health in the COVID19 pandemic.
MSU WorkLife Office | worklife.msu.edu