To meet the university’s evolving needs as a next-generation organization, the EVPA is committed to effective operations that maximize resource stewardship and improve services for students, faculty, and staff. We will redesign processes, strengthen the use of technology, and build staff capabilities to foster a culture of continuous improvement. By optimizing our operations, we aim to deliver superior performance, increase efficiency, enhance customer satisfaction, and provide greater value to our stakeholders.
Operational Excellence is what we do.
Operational Excellence serves as an umbrella for two key initiatives: the Continuous Improvement Framework and the Innovation Lab. It is led by the Operational Excellence Council, comprised of leaders from each department in the portfolio:
For units interested in developing their own Operational Excellence program, the EVPA has developed this resource.
Continuous Improvement Framework
Using a Continuous Improvement Framework, every employee is empowered to identify challenges, suggest solutions, and make meaningful improvements to processes and services. This framework allows the EVPA to become more agile, efficient, and responsive.
Innovation Lab
Aligned with the Spartan Excellence mindset, the Innovation Lab creates opportunities to explore and develop new processes and services. It fosters creativity, agility, and collaborative problem-solving. Encouraging experimentation and forward-thinking solutions helps drive continuous improvement across the EVPA.
Family Weekend, initiated by RHS in 2022 to strengthen connections with Spartan families, has grown from 2,000 attendees in its first year to 10,000 in 2025, with campuswide collaboration driving its success and engagement.
Spartan One-Stop consolidates customer service functions for the Registrar, Financial Aid, and Student Accounts into one centralized location using a customer relationship management system, with the goal of enhancing Spartan experiences and improving student retention.
The Security Operations Center, operated by DPPS, centralizes MSU’s security systems and provides real-time surveillance of about 2,000 building alarms and 1,900 cameras across the East Lansing campus.
To reduce duplicative warehousing and costs, Supply Chain Fulfillment launched the 24/7 FlexHub, providing around-the-clock access to over 1,000 MSU IT products valued at $5.9 million while mitigating risk through improved inventory tracking.
An update to the HR workflow in SAP added an executive leadership routing layer for approving position postings, using existing functionality to create a seamless new process
Nationally recognized for its sustainability programs, the MSU Surplus and Recycling Center helps divert more than 5.5 million pounds of materials from landfills each year. Its award-winning composting programs—including the Grow Green Vermicompost Program and the South Campus Compost Facility—convert food scraps and organic waste into compost for sale.