Just two and a half years after officially becoming a Health Promoting University, Michigan State University has been recognized for as one of Michigan’s Best and Brightest in Wellness by the National Association for Business Resources. Even more exciting, MSU earned top honors as the Elite Best of the Best Large Business for the second consecutive year.
This award reflects a growing, campus-wide commitment to fostering a culture of where faculty and staff feel supported, valued, and empowered to reach their professional goals. We know that supporting student well-being starts by supporting faculty and staff well-being.
MSU formally accepted the award at the Best and Brightest in Wellness conference on October 15 in Dearborn, MI.
"Earning this recognition for a second consecutive year reflects the power of our 'one team' culture at Michigan State," says MSU President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D. "Through bold, innovative services an supports and intentional campus-wide partnerships, we are creating an environment where every faculty and staff member feels supported and empowered to thrive. When we care for our people, we elevate our entire university."
A Tradition of Leading the Way
MSU’s leadership in health and well-being isn’t new, but built on a foundation over a century in the making.
- 1893: Established one of the nation’s first on-campus health services
- 1939: Opened the historic 60-bed Olin Health Center
- 1970s: Established pioneering support systems, including the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD)
- 1980: Created first-of-its-kind 24/7 Sexual Assault Healthcare Program
- 1993: Established first-in-the-nation Student Food Bank
- 2022: Unified 11 health-related units under University Health and Well-Being to deliver integrated, holistic care to students, faculty, and staff
- 2023: Conducted first-ever University Health and Well-being assessment for students, faculty, and staff
- 2024: Launched first-ever university-wide health and well-being strategic plan
- 2025: Formally adopted the Okanagan Charter, embedding health and well-being into every aspect of campus life
Progress in Every Unit, Every Day
What makes this recognition meaningful isn’t just the award, but what it represents. Across campus, health and well-being are becoming seamlessly woven into how Spartans learn, work, and live.
Through strategic partnerships, the Spartan Well-Being Collective, and the dedicated efforts of team members across every college, unit, and division, MSU is actively fostering an environment where Spartans can do their best work.
“Being recognized for a second year in a row reflects the progress we are making together as a university community. Well-being doesn’t happen through one program or one department. It takes a shared commitment to creating an environment where people feel supported to reach their full potential” says Alexis Travis, Ph.D., Senior Associate Vice President for University Health and Well-being. “When we invest in the well-being of our faculty and staff, we strengthen their ability to support our students. That’s how we build a healthier, more successful university where Spartans can thrive, now and for generations to come.”
Living Our Commitment
This commitment comes to life through a wide range of bold and innovative services and supports, including:
- Mental Health Support: Free, confidential counseling through the Employee Assistance Program
- Resilience Skill Building: Spartan Resilience Program webinars and programs
- Health Promotion: WorkLife Wellbeing webinars that build healthy habits, professional skills, and more; Move More at Work programming that encourages physical activity; and programs that encourage recharging through relaxation, such as Relaxing Under the Stars
- Accessibility and Accommodations: Resources, community, and accommodations for faculty and staff living with physical, sensory, cognitive, or psychological disabilities through the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities
- Sexual Assault and Intimate Partner Violence Support: Counseling, advocacy, shelter support through the Center for Survivors
- Occupational Health: Medical assessment, monitoring, intervention, and evaluation related to occupational risks
- Healthy Travel: Pre-travel counseling for business or personal travel through the Travel Clinic
- Nutrition Counseling: Free, confidential consultations with a non-diet and weight-neutral approach
Building for the Future
Celebrating this achievement is really a celebration of our campus community. A healthy campus starts with healthy people and together we’re building a supportive community that will empower Spartans today and well into the future.
