MSU School of Human Resources & Labor Relations

Michigan State University's School of Human Resources and Labor Relations is pleased to announce that Matt Hahnenberg has been promoted to senior academic specialist in recognition of his sustained excellence in academic advising, student support and service to the university community.

Read more: https://hrlr.msu.edu/news/20260708-hahnenberg-senior-academic-specialist-promotion.html

Mevan Jayasinghe, Ph.D. Awarded The Academy of Management - HR Division's 2026 Dave P. Lepak Service Award

Michigan State University School of Human Resources and Labor Relations (HRLR) Associate Professor Mevan Jayasinghe has received the David P. Lepak Service Award from the Human Resources Division of the Academy of Management.

The award recognizes one or more members of the Academy of Management’s HR Division for exceptional service to the division. Recipients are nominated and selected by the HR Division Executive Committee.

Learn more: https://hrlr.msu.edu/news/20260810-jayasinghe-academy-of-management-award.html

Employee monitoring technology is becoming increasingly common. Companies across a range of industries are facing pushback from employees over the deployment of software that monitors screen activity. The practice has raised important questions about privacy, trust, workers' rights, and workplace stress.

In this CBC News article, Dr. Tara Behrend, professor in Michigan State University's School of Human Resources and Labor Relations, shares insights from her research on employee monitoring and surveillance. Her work has consistently found two key outcomes: these tools increase employee stress and do not necessarily improve performance.

Tracking tools tend to narrow workers' focus to the metrics being monitored, which can cause them to overlook other aspects of their job while also creating "anti-social incentives," such as discouraging employees from taking a screen break to help a co-worker.

"It just makes work this really superficial imitation of itself. Work is not just a collection of tasks. Nobody wants to feel like that's what their contribution is."

Nevertheless, she said, these tools have proliferated with recent transitions to remote work and accelerated as part of a general societal push toward more data gathering and algorithm training.

Full article: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/td-bank-bell-workplace-screentime-monitoring-9.7296526

Michigan State University Student Chapter Receives Merit Award from SHRM

SHRM (the Society for Human Resource Management), the trusted authority on all things work, workers, and the workplace, awarded a 2025-2026 Merit Award designation to the Michigan State University SHRM student chapter for providing superior growth and development opportunities to its student members.

The SHRM Student Chapter Merit Award program encourages the development of more effective student chapters and distinguishes outstanding activities and projects. Chapters are recognized based on operations, chapter programming and professional development of members, support of the human resource profession, and SHRM engagement.

“The members of our SHRM student chapters represent the next generation of HR leaders, and their passion, talent, and commitment are vital to the future of our profession,” said Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP, President & CEO, SHRM. “The accomplishments of Michigan State University reflect the innovation, leadership, and dedication that will shape tomorrow’s workplaces. I applaud their success and ability to drive innovative programming, professional development, and a deeper interest in HR.”

Congratulations, MSU SHRM!

Michigan State University's School of Human Resources and Labor Relations Celebrates Amanda Chuan's Promotion to Associate Professor

Since joining the School of Human Resources and Labor Relations in 2018, Dr. Chuan has established a nationally recognized program of research at the intersection of labor economics, workforce development, education, and behavioral economics. Her work examines how individuals and families make decisions about education and skill development, how labor market opportunities shape investments in human capital, and how social preferences influence cooperation and economic behavior.

Read more: https://hrlr.msu.edu/news/20260708-chuan-associate-professor-promotion.html

Michigan State University's School of Human Resources and Labor Relations Celebrates Maite Tapia's Promotion to Full Professor

Michigan State University's School of Human Resources and Labor Relations (HRLR) is pleased to announce that Dr. Maite Tapia has been promoted to full professor, effective July 1, 2026. Dr. Tapia's promotion to full professor reflects a distinguished record of scholarly achievement and international recognition for her contributions to employment relations and labor relations.

Read more: https://hrlr.msu.edu/news/20260708-tapia-full-professor-promotion.html

Michigan State University's School of Human Resources and Labor Relations Celebrates Chenwei Liao's Promotion to Full Professor

Michigan State University's School of Human Resources and Labor Relations (HRLR) is pleased to announce that Dr. Chenwei Liao has been promoted to full professor, effective July 1, 2026. Dr. Liao's promotion reflects an internationally recognized record of scholarship in human resource management and organizational behavior.

Read more: https://hrlr.msu.edu/news/20260708-liao-full-professor-promotion.html

Stay safe everyone.

While looking for a community that could help her feel more confident, senior Kyla Voss found the Women’s Leadership Institute (WLI)! 💚

Kyla, who is studying psychology and human capital and society and is dual enrolled in the Master of Human Resources and Labor Relations program, has found that the WLI has helped boost her confidence and has given her the tools to stand out in the business world as a woman.

“The board members are extremely supportive, knowledgeable, and understanding to all WLI members, and it really feels like a safe space where young professionals can grow together. The workshops give us the tools to be more confident and clearer when sharing ideas. They help us understand and empower our individual strengths.”

As a '24 MSU Psychology graduate, Lauren Hyne discovered how her love for understanding people and her leadership ambitions could align perfectly with a career in Human Resources. Now, as a master’s student with the MSU School of Human Resources & Labor Relations, she is wearing many hats—Graduate Assistant, Career Team Leader, and soon-to-be HR intern at PepsiCo!

Lauren credits her psychology background for shaping her into a supportive leader, ready to advocate for others in the workplace. She’s also deeply inspired by the mentors who’ve guided her path!

Join us in celebrating Lauren’s journey and her recent Shobha Ramanand Endowment fellowship! Her commitment to leaving things better than she found them is a true Spartan value. 💚

Full story here: https://psychology.msu.edu/news-events/news/psy-alum-lauren-hyne.html