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Back to School Discounts for the 2026-2027 School Year

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Whether your family loves shopping for back to school, or they dread it every year, MSU Benefits Plus has you covered. All benefit-eligible employees can log into the MSU Benefits Plus portal through MSU’s multifactor authentication system and find dozens of discounts to get you and your family heading back to school in style without paying full price. 

Below are just a few examples of what might be useful this time of year. 

Electronics and Technology

Technology is now an essential part of the school supply list so enjoy extra savings on those investments through a variety of retailers, even here at MSU. 

  • Apple: Save up to 10% on Apple devices and accessories through the Employee Purchase (EPP) program.
  • Dell: Get the best pricing available on all Dell PCs, electronics and accessories.
  • HP: Up to 50% off HP computers and accessories through their EEP.
  • Lenovo: Take advantage of exclusive savings on Lenovo PCs, accessories, and innovative AI-powered technology.
  • Microsoft Office: Save over 50% on Office 2024 and even more on previous versions.
  • MSU Tech Store: Purchase all kinds of tech with prices exclusive to MSU staff, faculty, and students.

Apparel and Beauty

Everyone wants a great outfit for their first day of school, whether you’re a student, an educator, or even if it’s just another day at the office. 

  • Pair Eyewear: Start the new year in style with customizable glasses you’ll love and get a free gift with purchase using code CORESTEAM-GIFT.
  • Bombas: 25% off a purchase of $85 or more with code Exclusive25 (plus a pair is donated with every pair purchased!).
  • Crocs: Save $20 off a purchase of $100 or more using the code SUNNYDEAL20.
  • Spartan Spirit Shops: Visit any Shop in person and show your Faculty/Staff ID for 20% off!

Education 

Learn a new skill, stock up on textbooks for those fall courses, and show your Spartan spirit, all at a discount through these local organizations. 

  • Spartan Bookstore: 10% off new and used books when you show your ID.
  • Student Book Store: 10% of your whole purchase (excluding computer software and calculators) when you show your ID.
  • Method Learning: Up to 20% off SAT/ACT prep, college advising and more.

For all of these discounts and more visit the HR Website or the MSU Benefits Plus portal. Employees can also call Benefits Plus at 888-758-7575 with any questions. Back-to-School is on at Michigan State!

The Sparty Statue on campus.

Seeking Nominations for Support Staff Awards

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We are seeking nominations for three prestigious awards available to support staff: the Ruth Jameyson Above and Beyond, Gliozzo Clerical-Technical Recognition, and Jack Breslin Distinguished Staff awards! 

All award nominations are due Monday, October 26, 2026. 

Ruth Jameyson Above and Beyond 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 “above and beyond” what is reasonably expected in supporting the mission of MSU. In recognition of Ms. Jameyson’s 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. Learn more about the award on the web page,  Ruth Jameyson Above and Beyond Award. 

To nominate an employee, complete the Ruth Jameyson Above and Beyond Award nomination form and return it to Ray Gasser at gasserra@msu.edu by October 26.   

Gliozzo Clerical-Technical Recognition Award 

The Clerical-Technical Recognition Award is presented annually to a Michigan State University support staff member performing Clerical-Technical duties. The recipient is selected from nominations received by the CT Recognition Award Selection Committee. The award is sponsored by the Thomas and Concettina Gliozzo Endowment Fund to recognize outstanding MSU Clerical-Technical employees. Learn more about the award on the web page,  Clerical-Technical Recognition Award. 

To nominate an employee, complete the Gliozzo Clerical-Technical Recognition Award nomination form and return it to serviceawards@hr.msu.edu by October 26.

Jack Breslin Distinguished Staff Award 

This award is presented annually to six university support staff members selected by the Jack Breslin Distinguished Staff Award Selection Committee from all nominations received. The award is named in honor of Jack Breslin, who served Michigan State University as a student leader, honored athlete, top administrator, and steadfast advocate. Jack was the personification of the “Spartan Spirit.” His strong and innovative leadership played a pivotal role in MSU’s growth and development as the nation’s premier land grant institution. Learn more about the award on the web page,  Jack Breslin Distinguished Staff Award. 

To nominate an employee, complete the Jack Breslin Distinguished Staff Award nomination form and return it to serviceawards@hr.msu.edu by October 26. 

The new location for the MSU Child Development Laboratory. Become a Spartan of Profound Impact.

Jobs of the Week: Positions Available at the New Early Childhood Education Center in Lansing

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

This week we’re featuring two new positions for the MSU Child Development Laboratory (CDL) in their new education center in Lansing: CDL Assistant Director (job posting 1140659) and CDL Head Teacher (job posting 1146009). If you are interested in working with the Child Development Laboratory supporting early childhood education, one of these roles may be for you! 

The CDL provides high-quality early childhood education for children from birth to age five while serving as a teaching and learning site for MSU students. Through active, child-centered learning and strong family partnerships, the NAEYC-accredited program supports children’s growth and prepares future early childhood educators.

The CDL Assistant Director will support the programming at the new Lansing site and meet the quality standards of NAEYC, Great Start to Readiness, State of Michigan, and HDFS. Additionally, you will oversee day-to-day operations including finances, fundraising, marketing, operations, human resources, staffing, and compliance. This role requires a Masters of Child Development or Early Childhood Ed, CPR/First Aid certification, strong organizational and communication skills, and experience supporting staff development. Preferred qualifications include experience with diverse families, early childhood teaching, staff supervision, and fundraising. Find a complete list of required and desired qualifications in the job description. 

The CDL Head Teacher will provide high-quality care and education for infants and toddlers in a classroom setting at the new Lansing site. Responsibilities include planning and implementing developmentally appropriate curriculum, supervising support staff and MSU lab students, collaborating with families and HDFS faculty, and maintaining compliance with state licensing requirements and the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct. This role requires a Masters of Child Development or Early Childhood Ed and CPR/First Aid certification. It is desired that you have experience caring for infants and toddlers, knowledge of early childhood development, and the ability to build positive relationships with children and families. Find a complete list of required and desired qualifications in the job listing. 

Learn more about the Child Development Laboratory and the College of Social Sciences on their websites. Review of applications for the CDL Head Teacher position begins on July 30 and for the CDL Assistant Director position begins on August 1. Please submit a resume, cover letter, transcripts, and a list of 3 references with your application on the MSU Careers website.

A bunch of yellow flowers and a clear blue sky in the MSU campus gardens.

August Events Round-Up

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August is here, and summer is heating up! If you and your family are looking for activities to make the most of this summer, you’ve come to the right place. Check out these upcoming events for you and your family, and use the links below to learn more and register where required.

Campus Events

August 9 – Garden Edition: 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.

August 13 – Beal Botanical Garden Tour: Forest Bathing: Join Beal Community and Sustainability Coordinator, Angelica Bajos, at the Beal Botanical Garden for a summertime rest. Take time to connect with the garden and indulge your wellbeing through forest bathing invitations.

August 16 – Music and the Garden: The MSU College of Music and Beal Botanical Garden invite you to this year’s Music and the Garden series, an outdoor celebration of music, nature, and community. Hands-on activities take place prior to a performance by an MSU College of Music student ensemble, and guests are welcome to bring chairs or blankets. August features Tayovan Trio.

Open August 22 – We Are This Land: Meditations on the Great American Experiment: Visit this new large-scale group exhibition that occupies nearly all the main galleries at the MSU Broad Art Museum. The exhibition is organized around five guiding topics: civics, history, family and kinship, map-making, and care for the environment. This approach creates a forum for open dialogue and engagement while offering critical perspectives on our nation’s place within broader historical timelines and the wider world.

August 26 – Meet the Spartans: Visit Spartan Stadium this August for an event all things MSU!  Here you will find opportunities to take photos with Head Coach Pat Fitzgerald, get team autographs, meet the Michigan State Dance and Cheer teams and enjoy opportunities to take photos with Sparty and Zeke throughout the evening!

Learning Opportunities 

August 6 – TIAA: Live long and prosper: Your guide to understanding longevity: This TIAA webinar teaches you how to think about your longevity across financial, physical, mental and social dimensions; longevity’s impacts on financial caregiving, and how having longevity literacy can impact your retirement planning. 

August 12 – Women Talk Money: All about the Roth: Choosing an IRA can help shape your tax picture today and in retirement. But between Roth, traditional, rollovers, and conversions, navigating your options can feel like a lot. This webinar from Fidelity is here to break it all down to help you feel confident in how your IRA (or IRAs) fit into your plan.

August 12 – Everything DiSC: Productive Conflict: This in-person course provides learners with techniques to improve self-awareness around conflict behaviors. Apply DiSC assessment results to better understand our personal responses in conflict, and teach participants how to curb destructive thoughts and behaviors so that conflict can become more productive, improving workplace results and relationships. Pre-work will be sent and must be completed before the course begins. 

August 12 – Identify and Maximize Your Strengths, Part 2: Unlock the Full 34: Exploring your CliftonStrengths results does not have to end with the top 5 talents. Here, you will Identify individual talents utilizing the CliftonStrengths Full 34 Report, evaluate the impact of identified talents on the individual, the work and relationships, and determine how to further develop natural talents into strengths utilizing the tools provided. NOTE: This session is designed exclusively for those who have previously attended an offering of Identify and Maximize Your Strengths through OPD. 

August 13 – Roadmap to Retirement: If you are an MSU employee, and you have decided to retire within a year or two, this half-day workshop covers a range of topics critical to your successful retirement.

August 18 – Take control of your financial life: 5 steps to save money and manage debt: This TIAA webinar demonstrates how you can effectively set goals, balance your budget, and use debt wisely. 

August 20 – A closer look at the costs of long-term care: In this two-part Fidelity webinar on health care costs in retirement, learn more about strategies to financially prepare for long-term care.

August 20 – The Spartan Experience: This training is grounded in real MSU examples, team activities, and self-reflection. Whether you work in student services, facilities, finance, or academic support, you’ll walk away with tangible strategies to elevate your service mindset and make a positive impact, one interaction at a time.

August 20 – Creating and Sustaining a Positive Workplace: This in-person course provides humorous insight into the seven habits of negativity, including tips to stop gossip, techniques for getting along with others, and strategies to reap the many benefits of a positive and engaged workforce.

August 25 – SET for Success Series Part 2: Ergonomics: Regardless of your role and daily job tasks at MSU, everyone benefits from an ergonomically sound workplace. This zoom session will explore the basics of ergonomics, injury prevention, how to set up your workstation, standing desk use, and stretches/exercises to help reduce the risk of work-related pain. The recommendations in the class can be applied in your on-campus or home office.

Family-Friendly Events

Various Dates in August  – Lansing Lugnuts Home Game: Head to Jackson Field and “Go Nuts” cheering on the Lansing Lugnuts, where every game brings a fun and lively atmosphere. There’s always something exciting happening at the ballpark for fans of all ages.

August 8 – Young Eagle Rally (Free Airplane Rides for Kids): Young Eagles Aviation Day at the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), Chapter 55, will offer free airplane rides for kids 8-17. A number of pilot volunteers will be there to give these rides and introduce the kids to the world of aviation and inspire them to explore careers in the field. Note: All event days are weather permitting. 

Recurring Fridays and Saturdays – Toddler Time at Launch Lansing: Visit Launch Lansing Trampoline Park during select times to enjoy children’s music, visits from Joey the kangaroo, and a special toddler section with your little ones. 

Greater Lansing Area Events 

August 3 – 8 – Ingham County Fair: The 172nd Ingham County Fair is here! Visit the fairgrounds for the best family friendly entertainment including rides, games, and food for all! 

August 6 and 20 – East Lansing Moonlight Film Festival: The Moonlight Film Festival is back for the 2026 season! Movies are shown at Valley Court Park and start at dusk (approximately 9 p.m. in August). This month’s movies are Labrynth and Super Mario Galaxy.

August 6, 1, and 20 – Summer Concerts on the Square: Summer is wrapping up, and now is the chance to attend the last few Summer Concerts on the Square in Charlotte! New bands will play recurring weekly on Thursdays until August 20. 

August 8 and 22 – Majestic Morning Yoga: Join the Lansing Free Yoga Project and learn from yoga instructors from across Lansing at the Fish Ladder Music Park as they lead you in an inspirational yoga practice! This beginner focused class is designed to get you moving in the morning. 

August 15 – Old Town ArtFeast: Mark your calendar and get ready for a day filled with creativity, community, and culinary delights at Old Town ArtFeast! This beloved event brings together two of life’s greatest joys- stunning art and delicious food- right in the heart of one of Lansing’s most vibrant neighborhoods. 

Recurring Tuesdays – DeWitt Farmers Market: The 2026 Downtown DeWitt Farmer’s Market is being held every Tuesday until October! Here you will find  the freshest produce, locally farmed meats, fresh eggs, delicious baked goods, and locally produced foods. 

Recurring Saturdays – Holt Farmers Market: 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. 

Saturdays in July – Meridian Farmers’Market: The summer schedule is here for the Meridian Farmers Market! Stop by every Saturday this month for farm-fresh ingredients, specialty foods, handmade crafts and more.

Recurring Wednesdays – The Allen Farmer’s Market: Visit the Allen Farmers Market in Lansing for seasonal produce, artisan baked goods, gluten-free baked goods, pasture raised eggs, dry beans, fresh, delectable cheeses, hot and ready-to-eat foods, local meat and fish and fun activities. 

Looking to cool off from the hot August sun? Check out these nearby swimming pools and lakes to dive into summer! 

Apply for the Child Care Assistant job posting within the College of Social Sciences by July 28.

Job of the Week: Child Care Assistant

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

This week’s featured job is a Child Care Assistant for the College of Social Sciences (job posting 1145733). If you are interested in working with children at the MSU Child Development Laboratory within the Department of Human Development and Family Studies and support the Head Teacher, this may be the position for you.

The MSU Child Development Laboratories (CDL) provide high-quality early childhood education for children from birth to age five while serving as a teaching and learning site for MSU students. Through active, child-centered learning and strong family partnerships, the NAEYC-accredited program supports children’s growth and prepares future early childhood educators.

In this role, you will support the Head Teacher in order to provide high-quality early care and education in a classroom setting. You will implement planned activities and participate in the assessment of children. Additionally, you will work closely with families while maintaining professional conduct per the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Code of Ethical Conduct. Find a complete list of responsibilities in the job posting.

This position requires knowledge normally acquired by completing one year of college, technical, vocational, or trade school and six months to one year of work experience in providing childcare or an equivalent combination of education and experience. The NAEYC requires a minimum of a CDA or 12 college credits in early childhood education, child development, elementary education or early childhood special education. Preferred qualifications include a degree in early childhood education, child development, elementary or special education. Additionally, it is desired that you have certification in infant, child, and adult CPR and first aid, and experience caring for children from birth to age three. Find a complete list of required and desired qualifications in the job posting.

Learn more about the MSU Child Development Laboratories. To learn more or apply for this position, please visit the MSU Careers Website. Applications require a cover letter, resume, 3 letters of recommendation, 3 references, and should be submitted by July 28.

On the left, there is a green text box with a dotted Spartan helmet and the words "Service Manager IV, Unit: Infrastructure Planning and Facilities Application Deadline: August 4". On the right there is a photo of Beaumont tower from the ground, looking upward.

Job of the Week: Service Manager IV

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

This week’s featured job is a Service Manager IV with Infrastructure Planning and Facilities (job posting 1146208). If you are interested in operations leadership, team development, and helping maintain a safe, clean, and welcoming campus environment, this may be the position for you.

MSU Infrastructure Planning and Facilities (IPF) plans, builds, maintains, and beautifies MSU’s physical campus environment in support of its education, research, and outreach missions. The unit’s team of over 1,000 professionals keeps MSU running 24/7/365 by meeting the infrastructure needs and providing expert analysis to support long-term planning goals. Together, they ensure that MSU’s campus remains a safe and inspiring place to work, learn, and grow. 

In this position, you will lead IPF’s Custodial Services department, which oversees campus custodial operations, pest control, and the IPF Campus Events Office. Responsibilities include managing business operations, budgets, staffing, and contracts while ensuring compliance with environmental and safety regulations. You will recruit, develop, and mentor supervisory staff, lead customer engagement initiatives, oversee operational planning, monitor performance through key metrics, and help drive continuous improvement across campus services. The role also includes participating in emergency response efforts, supporting capital renewal planning, and fostering strong partnerships with campus stakeholders and external vendors. Find a complete list of responsibilities in the job posting.

This position requires a degree in business, finance, human resources, or a related field, along with five to eight years of progressively responsible experience supervising custodial or related operational activities, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Preferred qualifications include experience in higher education or research environments, experience managing pest control operations, and strong leadership, problem-solving, technical, and communication skills with a focus on innovation and continuous improvement. Find a complete list of required and desired qualifications in the job posting.

Learn more about Infrastructure Planning and Facilities. To learn more or apply for this position, please visit the MSU Careers website. Applications require a current resume detailing education and experience, as well as a cover letter expressing interest and qualifications, and should be submitted by August 4.

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Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace

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When you think of upskilling — learning new skills — at work, what comes to mind? Perhaps learning new software or working toward a certification or degree. There’s no question that many in-demand skills are technical in nature, but there’s also a critical need for what are sometimes described as “soft” skills, particularly strong emotional intelligence (EI).

EI allows us to build and maintain relationships and influence others — important skills no matter your position and area of work — and research has found people with greater EI tend to be more innovative and have higher job satisfaction than those with lower EI. Utilizing emotional intelligence in the workplace can enhance decision-making and social interactions and improve your ability to cope with change and stress.

The good news is that, like technical skills, soft skills such as EI can also be learned and improved.

Emotional Intelligence: What It Is

To strengthen your emotional intelligence, it’s important to know what it entails. Most definitions of EI include the following components:

  1. Perception and expression of emotion — Noticing your own emotions and picking up on the emotions of others, as well as the ability to distinguish between discrete emotions.
  2. Using emotion to facilitate thought — How you incorporate emotions into your thinking processes and understand when and how emotions can be helpful for reasoning processes.
  3. Understanding and analyzing emotions —The capacity to decode emotions, make sense of their meaning, and understand how they relate to each other and change over time.
  4. Reflective regulation of emotion —An openness to all emotions and the ability to regulate your own emotions and the emotions of others to facilitate growth and insight.

Measuring Your Emotional Intelligence Skills

Do you find you relate to either of these statements?

“I want to improve my EI skills, but don’t know where to start.”

“I already have strong emotional intelligence skills. This isn’t an area I need to work on.”

As with any skill, we all have varying levels of aptitude for EI and may feel overwhelmed about where to begin.

One interesting study found that 95% of participants gave themselves high marks in self-awareness. However, using more empirical measures of self-awareness, the study found that only 10-15% of the cohort demonstrated true self-awareness. Consider the following characteristics typical of people with higher and lower EI skillsets as one way to better gauge your skillset:

Potential indicators of higher EI:

  • Understanding the links between your emotions and how you behave
  • Remaining calm and composed during stressful situations
  • Ability to influence others toward a common goal
  • Handling difficult people with tact and diplomacy

Potential indicators of lower EI:

  • Often feeling misunderstood
  • Getting upset easily
  • Becoming overwhelmed by emotions
  • Having problems being assertive

It’s important to note that these potential indicators can also stem from other causes and vary significantly depending on the day and situation.

Learning and Developing Emotional Intelligence

As few as ten hours of EI training (i.e., lectures, role-playing, group discussions, and readings) can significantly improve people’s ability to identify and manage their emotions, and these benefits are sustained six months later.

No matter your current EI skillset, it may be helpful to try the following exercises:

  1. Notice how you respond to people — Are you judgmental or biased in your assessments of others?
  2. Practice humility — Being humble about your achievements means you can acknowledge your successes without needing to shout about them.
  3. Be honest with yourself about your strengths and vulnerabilities, and consider opportunities for development. Even though it might make you cringe, it’s helpful to get others’ viewpoints on your emotional intelligence. Ask people how they think you handle tricky situations and respond to the emotions of others.
  4. Think about how you deal with stressful events — Do you seek to blame others? Can you keep your emotions in check?
  5. Take responsibility for your actions and apologize when necessary.
  6. Consider how your choices can affect others — Try to imagine how they might feel before you do something that could affect them.

Interested in further increasing your EI skills? Check out the resources below to get you started.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

elevateU Featured Topic: Emotional Intelligence | Short videos, self-paced online courses, and more

Everything DiSC: Agile EQ | Instructor-led offering from HR Organization and Professional Development | Wednesday, September 23

Sources

https://www.ottawa.edu/online-and-evening/blog/october-2020/the-importance-of-emotional-intelligence-in-the-wo

https://positivepsychology.com/emotional-intelligence-eq

https://professional.dce.harvard.edu/blog/how-to-improve-your-emotional-intelligence

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Your Top Questions About MSU’s Optional Retirement Plans

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Whether this is your first job out of school or you’ve been working for 40+ years, it’s important to make sure you’re taking advantage of every opportunity to prepare for your eventual retirement. Most benefit-eligible employees* are aware of and enrolled in the 403(b) Base Retirement Program (BRP) offered by MSU, which consists of a 5% employee contribution of your eligible compensation and a generous university matching contribution of 10% – an immediate two-for-one match of your investment – for a total contribution of 15%. While this provides an excellent foundation for your retirement savings, most employees will eventually want to consider additional savings options for their retirement.

In addition to the BRP, eligible employees also have the option of enrolling in two additional retirement programs: the 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Program and the 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan. Enrollment in one or both optional programs can help employees meet their retirement savings goals, making it easier for them to transition to retirement.

New in 2026: SECURE 2.0 Act and After-Tax Roth Option

Earlier this year, MSU’s retirement plans were enhanced in alignment with the federal SECURE 2.0 Act to include a new requirement and an option for Catch-up contributions as well as a new After-tax Roth Contribution option for all eligible employees. Learn more on the HR webpage, After-Tax Roth and SECURE 2.0 Act.

Answers to Top Questions about Optional Retirement Plans

We’ve compiled a list of the top questions we receive as employees think about enrolling in these optional plans:

  • Q: Is there a minimum contribution amount required for one of the optional plans? What about a maximum amount?

    A: Employees may elect any percentage contribution, as all contributions are based on a percentage of eligible pay. For example, 1.50% would be an acceptable contribution election. Employees wishing to contribute a certain amount, such as $100 per paycheck, can use the calculator to convert a dollar amount to a percentage.

    Maximum contribution amounts are set by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) each year. Information on current IRS limits, including Age 50 Catch-up contributions, can be reviewed at Maximizing Your Retirement Plan Contributions.

  • Q: Does contributing a small amount, such as $25 a month, make a difference in the long run?

    A: We encourage employees to work with their financial advisors or retirement vendors for assistance in deciding how much more to contribute. You may be surprised how a small contribution over a long time can impact your retirement account balance, and you may want to take advantage of compounding earnings as you save for retirement.

  • Q: What are the main differences between the 403(b) Supplemental and the 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan?

    A: Generally, the differences are when an individual can access the funds and the loan provisions. Also, the 403(b) Supplemental contributions must be added to the Voluntary 403(b) Base contributions when calculating the IRS maximum contributions, whereas the 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan has a separate IRS maximum limit. A more detailed comparison of the two different optional accounts can be found in the Retirement Plans Comparison chart.

  • Q: Can I enroll in an optional retirement plan account at any time?

    A: Yes, retirement plan elections can be made at any time. This includes beginning or canceling enrollment, increasing or decreasing contribution percentages, and changing vendors. Depending on payroll schedules and deadlines, there may be a delay when contributions start or stop. For more detailed information, please visit the HR website at Enroll or Make Changes to Retirement Plans.

For more information about available retirement plans from MSU, please review the retirement resources on the HR website and the MSU Retirement Plans Enrollment Guide. Find instructions to enroll in these optional retirement plans at any time throughout the year. Please contact the HR Solutions Center with any questions at SolutionsCenter@hr.msu.edu or 517-353-4434.

*Note: Certain types of employees are excluded from participating in the 403(b) Retirement Plan. Please see the 403(b) Base Retirement Program Eligibility Chart for more details. 

On the right, there's the Sparty Statue with the view looking up at an angle. To the left, there's the JOTW details for the Communications Manager II for Eli Broad College of Business, applications due July 14.

Job of the Week: Communications Manager II

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

This week’s featured job is a Communications Manager II for the Eli Broad College of Business (job posting 1144268). If you are interested in developing strategic communications, creating engaging content, and helping elevate the college’s reputation through storytelling and media relations, this may be the role for you.

The Eli Broad College of Business proudly develops global business leaders through collaboration, innovative research, and meaningful community engagement. Guided by its vision, Broad Spartans work hard, work smart, and work together to positively transform organizations and society.

In this position, you will develop and execute strategic communications plans that align with the college’s priorities while increasing visibility, engagement, and reputation. Responsibilities include creating and managing content for the college’s newsroom, newsletters, social media channels, and external media outlets, leading public relations initiatives, coordinating communications campaigns, and supporting content management and communication platforms. You will also collaborate with University Communications, University Advancement, and the MSU Alumni Office, maintain vendor relationships, manage projects and workflows, ensure compliance with university branding and accessibility standards, and supervise student employees. Find a complete list of responsibilities in the job posting.

This position requires a degree in journalism, telecommunications, marketing, advertising, public relations, or a related field, along with three to five years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public relations, marketing, media relations, or a related area. Preferred qualifications include experience with social media platforms and management tools, WordPress, AP style, project management software such as Asana, strong interpersonal and communication skills, exceptional attention to detail, and the ability to lead projects from concept to completion. Find a complete list of required and desired qualifications in the job posting.

Learn more about the Eli Broad College of Business. To learn more or apply for this position, please visit the MSU Careers Website. Applications should be submitted by July 21.

An open book in front of a large stack of books.

A Middle Manager’s Book Review: “The Making of a Manager” by Julie Zhou

Published on by Chelsey FetherLeave a comment

This is a series where I, a middle manager who happens to be an avid reader, review leadership books to share what I learned and whether I think they’re worth the read.

As I started drafting this blog, I was prepared to write about why The Making of a Manager by Julie Zhuo wasn’t really for me. But after reflecting on the book, I realized there were several valuable insights worth sharing. Coincidentally, most of those takeaways came from the first 100 pages.

The book is described as a guide to building trust, navigating uncertainty, and understanding what separates great managers from average ones. While it covers a broad range of management topics, three ideas stood out to me and have already started shaping how I think about leading my team.

Everything Goes Back to the People

This chapter resonated with me because I’m part of a small team of four. Although we work mostly remotely, we’ve built strong relationships and a high level of trust. Reading this section made me realize, however, that I’ve been making an important assumption.

We rarely stop to define what “great work” looks like for our team and our individual work.

Having a strong team doesn’t eliminate the need for clear expectations. In fact, it makes those conversations even more important. Moving forward, I will incorporate discussions about what success looks like into our one-on-one meetings and performance planning conversations. I want everyone to understand not only what they’re expected to do, but also how they can excel in their work.

Trust Is Built Through Honest Conversations

One of the book’s strongest messages is that trust is the foundation of effective leadership. A specific piece of advice that stood out to me was to “strive for all your one-on-one meetings to feel a little awkward.”

At first, that idea felt counterintuitive. But the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. The conversations that create trust often involve difficult feedback, coaching, or acknowledging our own mistakes. Those moments can be uncomfortable, but they’re also where growth happens.

Zhuo encourages managers to “strive to be human, not a boss.” That’s an approach I try to take with my team. When I make a mistake or recognize that I could have handled something differently, I talk about it openly and share what I’ve learned. My team doesn’t expect perfection, but they do deserve a leader who is committed to continuous improvement.

Invest Time in Helping Your Team Succeed

The book also reinforced feedback I recently received from my own supervisor: make one-on-one meetings more intentional and consider setting an agenda.

Historically, my one-on-ones have followed a familiar pattern. We spend a few minutes catching up personally, discussing current projects, and talking about any support that’s needed. While that approach works, Zhuo suggests adding more structure to ensure important topics don’t get overlooked.

Her framework includes discussing priorities, aligning on what “great” looks like, exchanging feedback, and reflecting on what’s working and what isn’t. I especially appreciate the emphasis on two-way feedback.

Too often, conversations about expectations and performance are reserved for annual reviews when they should be happening throughout the year. If we expect great work year-round, we need to provide guidance and feedback year-round as well.

I also believe effective leadership requires regularly asking team members how I’m doing and what they need from me to be successful. After all, my success as a leader is measured by how well I support theirs.

As a result of reading this book, I’ll be making a few changes to how I approach one-on-one meetings and feedback conversations. Sometimes a small adjustment in how we communicate can make a meaningful difference in how we lead.

Was it worth the read? Yes.

Even though most of my takeaways were found early in the book, I still think it was worth the read overall. Since much of Zhou’s management experience comes from working in tech startups and I work here at MSU, I didn’t think that every chapter was applicable to my role. However, the advice I did find helpful was timely and useful and will have a positive impact on my team.

Borrow this book or recommend my next one!

Is there a leadership book you want me to read and then write about? Or do you want to borrow this book from me? Let me know! Email me at fetherch@msu.edu.

Thanks for reading!