Michigan State University has appointed the executive director of its newly created WorkLife Office.
Assuming the role of executive director and senior adviser to the provost is Barbara Roberts, who currently serves as human rights officer at the University of New Brunswick. Her appointment is effective Aug. 10.
The WorkLife Office will serve as a single point of contact for all MSU faculty and staff, helping them manage workplace and life transitions. It also will play a significant role in supporting the university’s goals of fostering a healthier campus.
“We’re excited to welcome Dr. Roberts to campus as she begins work on the formation, leadership and management of the new WorkLife Office in support of fostering a healthier campus,” said MSU Provost June Pierce Youatt. “We look forward to the creation of a world-class office with programs and services that help advance MSU’s culture of high performance and position MSU as an employer of choice.”
The new office will provide programs and resources for MSU faculty and staff, serving as an advocate for work-life integration and demonstrating MSU’s commitment to a healthy work life. The new office, to be located in Linton Hall, is anticipated to be ready for occupancy in winter 2016.
Roberts has been New Brunswick’s human rights officer since 2011, advising the university on human rights-related policies, procedures and practices.
Prior to that (1993-2011) she was the disability services adviser for Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario.
Roberts has a Ph.D. from Queen's University and a Master of Science from Boston University.