Hoping Forward

As we look ahead to 2022, a priority of mine continues to be staff and faculty success. It has become clear that stronger caregiver support is needed as many are navigating significant personal challenges, in addition to substantial workloads. My hope for 2022 is to create a comprehensive university-wide caregiver program that further supports our Spartan community.

Samuel L. Stanley Jr., M.D.
President

In the new year, I hope that each Spartan will have peace of mind, be in good health and obtain personal fulfillment. I hope that members of our community will continue to grant themselves and each other grace as we traverse these uncertain times together. And I hope that Michigan State University will make significant progress toward realizing its vision of becoming a more diverse, equitable and inclusive institution.

Jabbar R. Bennett, PhD
Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer
Professor of Medicine, College of Human Medicine

I’m hopeful for the continued camaraderie, team work, positive interactions and solutions that Spartans exhibit every day!

I look forward to being a part of all the accomplishments, achievements and consistent efforts in problem solving and navigating challenges in 2022, as well as celebrating our successes.

Todd Bradley
Senior Learning and Organization Development Specialist
MSU Human Resources

I am sincerely hopeful that in 2022, more of us will see that the scientists who have brought us vaccines, tests, statistics and recommendations have been doing their best in a world of uncertainty. That they are not trying to dupe us, they’re trying to save us.
I hope that as individuals and institutions we do not squander this opportunity for reflection and reevaluation.
Mostly, I hope that we choose the path of gratitude and kindness whenever possible. And remember, the Dalai Lama says- it is always possible.

Claudia Finkelstein
Associate Professor Health Programs
College of Human Medicine

In 2022, I am hopeful that people will receive relief. Relief from the pandemic, and from increased personal and professional stressors. It is important to maintain hope (and for me personally, also faith). Hope can reduce helplessness and increase happiness as we look towards a brighter future. I am hopeful to resume more regular connection with family and friends. I am hopeful that soon we can begin using the term “post pandemic” and that this experience has instilled a stronger sense of compassion. I’m also hopeful that society, including the workplace, will retain some of the virtual offerings and opportunities for ease of access and convenience. Overall, I am hopeful that despite what we’ve all been through, that we keep hope alive!

Ashley Green, PhD
Assistant Dean for Administration
Director for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
International Studies and Program

Hope is: faith in what is to come, a desire for something to happen, an expectation for the future. Yes, I would definitely say I have a lot of hope for 2022! I am hoping for more summer camping with my family, memories created, and laughter shared. I hope to be able to connect with even more Spartans this year (whether it be virtually or in-person) to exchange resources and knowledge in a way that helps us all grow and make campus better each day. I am always so inspired by the amazing research, outreach, creativity and care that happens on our campus and honored to be in the company of so many outstanding students and colleagues; they keep my hope alive!

I’m also ready and feeling energetic about putting in the work, too! I don’t want to just hold on to my hopes as I move through the days, but I want to be intentional this year about the manifestation and realization of my hopes. Sometimes it is hard and sometimes I’ll feel tired, but to help MSU and other Michigan HERC institutions that I serve or to see the smiles on my children’s faces after I stayed up all night planning something fun for us, will make it all worth it. This year, my friend Kelsey Oosterhoff (she works at IPF on campus and is dear to my heart) inspired me to try and focus on gratitude for all the things in life…even the tough stuff. The reality is that the hard work is worth doing and I am grateful to get the chance to put in the effort to see this year’s hopes come to fruition!

Maranda Holtsclaw, MPH
Director, Michigan Higher Education Recruitment Consortium

Hope is a powerful thing. Hope is to want something to happen or to be true and to feel that it is possible. I hope that our Spartan community will stay safe and healthy-both physically and mentally. It has been a long two years with many struggles and challenges. I hope we experience more of the beautiful things in life during 2022. My hope for us is to experience more love, joy, hope, laughter, success, and peace. I am hopeful that the issues that have been in the spotlight during the pandemic lead to changes to better support people inside and outside of work, including flexible work options, improved caregiving resources, and continued mental health supports. If the WorkLife Office can be a support to you, please reach out. You are not in this alone.

Jaimie Hutchison, MA, LPC
Deputy Director
MSU WorkLife Office

It is hard to think of anything other than hoping people remain safe in this pandemic. Beyond this, I am looking forward to what 2022 brings as my son graduates from high school and plans to attend Michigan State University fall 2022. I am hopeful that his college experience is filled with wonderful memories, lifetime relationships, and limitless opportunities for a successful and meaningful life.

Meaghan Kozar, PhD
Interim Project Manager—Inclusive Campus Initiative

Life since COVID has taken on a whole new perspective, and we’ve all been unsettled into this constant state of shift and overwhelm. We’ve succumbed to this new normal and are trying to do our absolute best, together! This state of being has also afforded us the opportunity to reflect and reprioritize the areas of life that are most meaningful. For me, it’s family, friendships, quality time, and being uber-aware of my energy aura. In 2022, I have placed a higher value on self-care, connection, mindfulness, and setting healthy boundaries. I take time for me, nurture relationships, give grace to others (especially myself), and welcome positivity in all aspects of work and life. I’m hopeful that our MSU community will shift to see the good all circumstances, accept what is, and continue to press forward toward progress – not perfection. Happy 2022!

Christine Leese
Chief of Staff
IPF

Our family is hopeful to have a safe and restful season into 2022; so that our minds be (re)freshed, spirit be (re)juvenated, and our energy be (re)charged for the next stage of life. I personally am hopeful for everyone taking time out to care of self and others more so our Spartan community will be better because of it.

Charlie Liu, J.D.
Advising Director, River Trail Neighborhood
Neighborhood Student Success Collaborative (NSSC)

As I think about 2022, I am hopeful for continued blessings of good health. I’m looking forward to spending more time with my family and enjoying all seasons of the beautiful Michigan weather. Finally, I am hopeful for opportunities for personal and professional growth that include traveling.

Danielle Flores Lopez
Director of Academic Advising & Student Success Initiatives
Academic Student Affairs
College of Natural Science

Hope is a tricky thing, isn’t it? We need hope to help get us through difficult times. It can serve as a beacon in the distance, giving us the strength we might need to keep going when life is so hard and we are so tired, because hope is telling us that something better is possible. But, sometimes we can get a little too attached to what we hope will happen, what we hope will change, that when things don’t work out the way we want them to we can become even more disappointed, angry, despondent, or even depressed. And sometimes hope can keep us stuck in overly optimistic thinking, holding onto the dream of what we so want to happen that we might miss the warnings signs all around, which could lead to even bigger struggles. So these days, I’m working to hold on to “grounded hope,” a hope that starts with a realistic understanding of ourselves and the world around us, looking at reality right in the face, taking a deep breath, and saying to myself, “Ok, that’s where we’re at. Now what? What can be better? Given my values, what’s possible?”
So, that’s a long way to get to my hopes for 2022. For me personally, I hope that I can work toward being more open, more vulnerable, more willing to listen to others with curiosity, and more bravery in the face of challenges and fears. For my family, I hope that we can all continue to grow in our love for each other, remembering that in the face of pain and struggle can come beautiful growth and change. And for the university, I hope that as an institution we can continue to move toward growing a sense of real community. That would be awesome, and I can only work on doing my part to make that all possible.

Jonathon Novello LMSW, ACSW
Health4U Coordinator Interim
EAP Director Interim

As my step-mother frequently reminds us, “we plan and God laughs.” We often find ourselves in uncomfortable moments when it feels like the steering wheel is just out of reach while the car speeds towards a bend in the road. COVID definitely accentuated these feelings of helplessness, and many people resorted to fighting or avoiding the stark reality of vaccinations, testing and general isolation. My hope is that this year people can find beams of light cutting through the darkening skies, find love among the waves of social turmoil and find moments of happiness that can be fleeting, but real. I hope that people are still brave enough to move towards an uncertain future and fight for making that future sustainable. I hope that people can find the courage to connect and be vulnerable and experience joy.

Aaron Reifler, PhD, MEd
Director, Office of Postdoctoral Affairs

As we forge ahead into 2022, I’m feeling hopeful about the future of MSU and the Broad College of Business. We are a talented, passionate, and engaged community that has realized much success. We continue to innovate, achieve, and care for one another during very challenging circumstances. Personally, as we enter the third year of a pandemic, I’ve had to pivot from a focus on hope for a “return to normal” to a daily ritual of gratitude to maintain my own professional momentum and personal well-being. I’m grateful for my husband, my colleagues and friends, and family. I’m grateful for the time we had with our dog, who passed last year, and my Peloton. I’m grateful that I can learn and grow, and, frankly, try, fail, try again, learn, and keep going. I’m grateful for the grace and space provided to me by colleagues as we’ve navigated remote work and news cycles that bring us more bad news. If anything, a focus on gratitude means I’m hopeful that in 2022 we maintain our perspective, take care of ourselves, don’t take ourselves too seriously, and laugh more.

Daniel Spadafore, Ph.D.
Chief of Staff, Dean’s Office
Broad College of Business

I am hopeful for MORE: MORE in person time with family and friends, MORE love, MORE compassion, MORE collaboration and MORE rest. I am hopeful that we continue to embrace change, respect differences, and expand our creative and collective support of our Spartan community and beyond!

Kim Steed-Page, Director
Student Parent Resource Center
Division of Student Life & Engagement

With 2022 stretched out before us, I have a lot that brings me hope. The last couple of years have taught​ each one of us lessons and reminded us about all the things we take for granted.
I think this year gives us an opportunity to renew ourselves as individuals (prioritizing what’s key, committing to self-care), and conversely to reimagine ourselves as members of a collective (what community am I part of, how may I serve others).
I’m hopeful that people will keep finding ways to renew connections with one another and remember to cultivate curiosity. We learn about other experiences and perspectives only when we are curious and when we care.
I would add that I’m also hopeful for some modicum of stability. The funny thing is that stability is not what I once imagined it to be and with practiced resilience we are all managing in its absence.
I just remember that January brings more sunlight and hope springs eternal….

Suchitra A. Webster, M.A. 
Community Liaison
Student Affairs & Services, Office of the Vice President

In 2022, I look forward to seeing folks at the Broad Art Museum and the MSU Museum, as well as a College of Music or a College of Arts and Letters Department of Theatre event. Connection with others, particularly in these spaces, makes me happy and hopeful.

Teresa K. Woodruff, Ph.D.
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
MSU Foundation Professor