Higher Education: Jobs Landed

I am responsible for directing MCAN's communication, marketing and technology strategies, as well as implementing the KnowHow2GOMichigan public awareness campaign.  
 
It was my experience through Central Michigan University's Volunteer Center that developed my desire to work in the nonprofit sector.  I have been working in Michigan's nonprofit sector for more than four years, and when this position became available with MCAN, I knew it was the perfect fit for my talent and passion.  I believe in MCAN's mission to dramatically increase Michigan's college participation and completion rates, particularly among low-income and first-generation college students of all ages. In order for Michigan to sustain a vibrant economy, our communities must be built on the foundation of a highly-educated population. It's extremely rewarding knowing I'm helping to ensure everyone in Michigan has the opportunity to access and succeed in post-secondary education.

As an environmental activist, particularly in the area of campus sustainability, my job is my dream job. The position was created right as I finished my Master's at Michigan State University in the department of Community, Agriculture, Recreation, and Resource Studies. I studied how best to communicate recycling to the campus audiences. In my job, I use the knowledge I learned during my graduate work and apply it to a wide variety of sustainability topics including energy, water, and transportation. In general, environmental work can get frustrating because the problems are wicked, but it's the people at MSU that I work with that keep me going. I created and manage a program called Environmental Stewards, where key persons in every department are trained on actions they can take and act as the resource person on what can be done to make their unit more sustainable. These people are amazing and inspire me every day. Additionally, I created and manage the Green Certification program, which gives science laboratories, offices, IT, kitchens, and living areas the ability to certify they are following the best practices. This coming year I'll be leading the effort for MSU energy transition outreach to get campus and public involvement in energy decisions. MSU has taken great strides to become more sustainable and I'm happy to have been there at those key moments and continue to help MSU. I think the greatest lesson I have learned from working on the outside to working on the inside is how difficult and multifaceted change is to operationalize because of the number of players and stakeholders involved.    

Follow me on Twitter @lolokramer

I oversee and supervise all of the schools career services programs and report to the Cooley Associate Dean of Career and Professional Development, Charles R. Toy. This involves working with prospective employers to develop job opportunities and matching those opportunities to qualified students or alumni. Our office provides a wide-range of services to the students including review of resumes, mock interviews, workshops, lunch and meetings with lawyers and on-campus employer interviews.

At the Land Policy Institute, I assist in research and outreach in the areas of place and prosperity, population dynamics, agriculture and green infrastructure by conducting statistical and spatial analysis, and crafting policy reports. I have also carried out research on the role of place attributes and their effects on public school quality in Michigan school districts. The outreach component of my work primarily entailed traveling to several Michigan cities as part of the Michigan Prosperity Initiative. For this initiative, I presented material on the emergence of the New Economy in Michigan with a strong emphasis on placemaking. I also helped facilitate group sessions in where a diverse range of stakeholders were tasked with forming regional strategic growth plans.
 
Having worked with the Land Policy Institute for close to four years, one of the best things about my job is having the opportunity to learn so much about Michigan. From public policy to land use to placemaking to economic and community development, I have learned a great deal about my home state. At the same time, I have the satisfaction of working with an organization that, as stated in its mission, is committed to Michigan. Additionally, the exposure I’ve had to such a wide range of scholars, leaders, stakeholders and citizens at Michigan State University and throughout many Michigan communities has been truly enlightening.

Follow me on Twitter @tylerb83

I provide outreach and awareness for University of Michigan-Flint at the Lansing Community College University Center. We offer two programs, an RN to BSN and a Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration and it is my job to assist prospective and current students with academic advising and general questions about these programs or programs they have questions about not offered at our site. In addition, I coordinate local marketing and conduct recruitment activities with Lansing Community College and local area organizations/businesses. I also correspond with and assist faculty, staff, and the general public. I have worked in higher education for almost 9 years and truly enjoy the work I do.

As an eProducer for Virtual University, I will be working with a variety of faculty from across campus to develop online course material. Given my career as a designer, I will have the chance to manage projects with a creative drive, and work to develop stimulating and creative material to enhance the learning process for students at MSU, through the use of online learning technologies and instructional design.

I manage and operate LCC TV The Link, a public access television station in Lansing (Comcast 15/31). LCC TV’s Comcast channels and online content provide educational, inspiring and entertaining programming to young professionals. With an emphasis on the arts, we provide local programs on community news, musicians, technology, films & more. By forming partnerships with community leaders, citizens, national media outlets and most importantly students, we tap into the greatest resource in our area to provide an outlet for the community to gain increased exposure.  I am currently working to increase the amount of original programming on the channel while working to extend our reach. I also manage and direct all online video content including live streaming, On Demand & You Tube & social media. Besides directing behind the scenes operations I also host/produce/write and edit several LCC TV shows.

Follow me on Twitter @nicsclafani

I am the developer, editor and manager of internal communications for Auxiliary Resources, part of the Residential and Hospitality Services at Michigan State University, which includes the MSU Union, Spartan Linen Services, Residential and Hospitality Services (RHS) Payroll, RHS Health and Safety, Balanced Scorecard, MSU Cable Services and Enterprise Business Systems Liason to RHS. I am the strategic planner of communication efforts; researching, planning, executing and evaluating communication plans based on departmental and unit goals. I am the social media content manager and supervisor for the MSU Union and University Activities Board (UAB), with the MSU Union Twitter feed reaching almost 1,900 followers, participant in the MSU Social Network, Spartan Connect.

I am also the Co-founder of Spartan Tweetup, a meeting of Spartan Twitter users that raised funds to donate in the wake of the Haiti earthquake. I am a trainer for RHS’ Celebrate State training program, developing team members in guest services principals, In addition to a member of the Information Services Advisory Board, RHS Divisional Commuinicators Network, MSU Communicators, RHS Centralized Payroll Project, Balanced Scorecard Implementation Team, MSU Union Master Plan Committee, MSU Union Office Suite Upgrade Project Manager and MSU Federal Credit Union Ambasador. Finally, I am the Co-host of Lansing Next on TalkLansing.net, Co-owner of la.ti.da events - a wedding and event planning service, Co-founder of Lansing Happy Hour Club, and a local commercial actor.