Spartans are amazing - I want to start there. Please know that what I am sharing today is to help other Spartans. We have amazing faculty and staff who are smart, kind, compassionate, and knowledgeable at MSU. One of the best parts of my job has been watching our Spartans help other Spartans. Many of the resources in the MSU WorkLife Office (WLO) allow this to happen, like our resource lists created through our many listservs. Consider joining these lists for times you need assistance, or in times when you can help others. 

Rachel Perez, WorkLife Consultant, joins the WorkLife Office at Michigan State University (MSU). She brings nine years of Human Resources experience as well as a bachelor’s degree from MSU’s Eli Broad College of Business. Rachel has served as an HR Coordinator and an Assistant Health & Safety Coordinator for the Student Life & Engagement division.

Rachel has a passion for working with MSU’s diverse faculty, staff, and students. Fostering MSU’s values of inclusiveness and equity, Rachel has proudly served as a Project Manager for MSU’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Steering Committee as well as a member of the DEI Advisory Board for Student Life & Engagement. She is a certified CPR/AED trainer and is trained in workplace violence prevention through the Crisis Prevention Institute.

Wholeperson note: Rachel teaches a Zumba class on campus.

Emerson Stehlik joins the WorkLife Office as a Student Clerical Assistant III. She is a second year student at Michigan State University studying General Business. Emerson was involved in several community service organizations throughout High School, such as the National Honors Society and Haslett Community Church Youth Group. There, she aided communities with various projects.

Wholeperson note: Emerson grew up as a competitive dancer at a local dance studio, Greater Lansing Academy of Dance / Premier Dance Company, where she now coaches competitive and recreational dancers.

We only know what we know. We’re asking for your help to tell us a what you know about your neighborhood and community. People new or returning to MSU and the surrounding areas ask us for information and we would love to expand what we know. Please help us with this short survey for the Community Compilation Project.

We understand how different the details of a new community can be. We can help you find banking, real estate, utility companies, and commercial resources like local markets and restaurants that offer international foods. We can help you find faith communities and information on schools and sports to help you get settled smoothly. We connect you with information on childcare, eldercare, health, and well-being resources. New hires and final-round applicants are encouraged to talk with the WorkLife Office to answer their questions and connect to resources.

The Outstanding Supervisor Award honors Michigan State University supervisors who have consistently demonstrated worklife sensitivity and support of the professional/personal needs of the employees in their unit. Supervisors of any level within the university, including support staff, directors, deans, administrators, and executive leadership.

Transparent communication is the act of both good and bad information being shared upward, downward, and laterally in a way that allows all to see the why behind the words. A workplace with transparent communication is a more collaborative and trustworthy workplace, with information being openly shared between employees and across levels of the organization. Learn ways to increase transparent communication in the workplace. If you would like a presentation, request a presentation on our website!

If you are new or returning to Michigan State University, the Greater Lansing area, Michigan or the United States, the WorkLife Office can help connect you to campus and community resources. Even if you aren’t new to the area, the Office has plenty of ways to help you locate the resources you need and become connected to your colleagues and your community.

Michigan State University recognizes that dual career partner assistance is an important aspect in recruiting and retaining outstanding, qualified and diverse faculty and staff. A dual career couple is one in which both heads of household pursue careers and at the same time, maintain a family life together. Dual career couples often face challenges finding jobs within a commutable distance to meet career goals for both partners.

Supporting dual career couples is important to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. Please help spread the word about Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC) dual career resources. MSU is a member of HERC, which means the MSU community has access to the resources and services within HERC. Contact Maranda Holtslcaw at holtscl@msu.edu with questions.

When schools finally fully re-opened, there was a presumed return to normalcy, to things being OK. But our kids are not OK. Especially our teens. They’ve experienced trauma that’s continuing to impact them and as their parents, you’ve been witnessing this first-hand. Social anxiety, depression, isolation, mood swings…or perhaps your kid seems too OK for everything they’ve experienced. You’re not alone and there are steps you can take to spot the signs, talk to your kids and get them support. Our guest, Jennifer L. Hartstein, PsyD, is a nationally known child, adolescent and family psychologist. A frequent guest on the national morning news shows, she’s often cited in print media, and is an in-demand speaker at conferences. Parents of teens and college kids, this webinar is specifically for you.

Please join us on July 12 from noon - 1 p.m.

If you are new or returning to Michigan State University, the Greater Lansing area, Michigan or the United States, the WorkLife Office can help connect you to campus and community resources. Even if you aren’t new to the area, the Office has plenty of ways to help you locate the resources you need and become connected to your colleagues and your community.

This is a 6-week series of classes that will run

Tuesdays, July 19 – August 23, 2022.

POWERFUL TOOLS FOR CAREGIVERS will benefit you whether you are helping a parent, spouse, friend, or someone who lives at home, in a nursing home, or across the country. This workshop focuses on self-care for you, the caregiver. The workshop will not focus on specific diseases or hands-on care.

Tuesday, August 9 from 1-5 p.m. (IN PERSON) in partnership with the Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau.

This is a very useful training for anyone working with graduate students, undergraduate students, faculty, or staff. It is a great way to learn more about the greater Lansing area to help others navigate and make MSU their “home.” The CTA Program gives participants the opportunity to build upon their knowledge of the local region, enhance their skills in serving customers, increase their awareness of information resources and discover the power of tourism! This session is now full - watch for more sessions in the academic year.