HR's OPD team partners with employees, leaders, teams, and units across Michigan State University to strengthen leadership, enhance workplace effectiveness, and support meaningful organizational change. As internal consultants, facilitators, and learning strategists, the team works at the intersection of people, strategy, and culture to help the university thrive in a complex and evolving higher education environment.

Areas of support include:

• Individual Development
  • Professional and leadership skill-building programs
  • Career growth and capability development
  • Learning experiences aligned with university priorities
  • Support for employees at all career stages
• Team Development
  • Team training
  • Facilitation of trust, accountability, role clarity, decision-making and shared norms
  • Leadership team effectiveness and collaboration
• Organization Development
  • Strategic planning support
  • Organizational design guidance
  • Change leadership and transition support
  • Culture and alignment initiatives
  • Consultation for restructuring or new leadership transitions
• Educational Assistance Program Administration
  • Program guidance and administration
  • Employee support navigating eligibility and processes
  • Oversight to ensure consistency and compliance
• Tuition Benefit Program Administration
  • Management of employee dependent tuition benefit
  • Support for application and approval processes
  • Policy guidance and interpretation
  • Coordination across HR and academic partners
• Performance Excellence Program
  • Administration of the support staff performance management framework
  • Support for goal setting, feedback, and development conversations
  • Resources and guidance for supervisors and employees
  • Alignment of individual performance with organizational priorities
• Staff Recognition Programs
  • Administration of university recognition initiatives
  • Guidance on meaningful and equitable recognition approaches
  • Reinforcement of a culture of appreciation and engagement

“Our goal is simple: help people do their best work. When leaders have clarity, teams have trust, and organizations have alignment, the impact extends across the entire university.”