“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”
Luke 2:11
https://intercom.messiah.edu/wp-content/blogs.dir/120/files/sites/11/2025/12/il_794xN.6418885545_d7lf.webp
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Grief workshop
Jody Brandt led a workshop entitled the 5 Cs of Grief on Friday, Dec. 12 at the Simpson Library in Mechanicsburg – a partner of the University. The 5 Cs addressed were how COMMON is grief, the COMPLEXITIES of grief, when is grief COMPLICATED, CONCEPTS of grief, and finally, how grief is life CHANGING. The event was well attended with excellent questions and discussion from the group participants. The University is grateful for the partnership with the Simpson Library.
AROUND CAMPUS
Intercom submissions
If you have a submission that needs to maintain a specific format, please upload it as a Word document. This allows us to apply the correct spacing and layout. Thank you.
Messiah Community Cookbook: Your recipes wanted
All Messiah students and employees are invited to contribute to the Messiah University Community Cookbook. Messiah’s Murray Library is collecting recipes that are meaningful to you, including family favorites or cultural traditions. Submit one or several recipes to share with our community. The cookbook will be released during the Humanities Symposium in February 2026 as a free PDF for all. A limited number of print copies will also be available for sale. To participate: Fill out the online form . The deadline is Friday, Dec. 19.
Murray Minute: Ancestry.com (library edition)
Want to talk about your family history around the Christmas table? Get the story straight with Murray Library’s access to Ancestry.com (Library Edition)? By using the link provided here, your Messiah University login information gets you on- and off-campus access to census, immigration, marriage and military records, plus user-submitted family trees. Please note that this library edition of Ancestry is slightly different than a personal, paid Ancestry subscription. Also, check out our genealogy research guide for other FREE online resources to help you get started. Email library@messiah.edu with questions or to request a 1-on-1 tutorial.
Unreasonable Hospitality operations
Buildings and Grounds
Operations division’s focus on unreasonable hospitality
This summer, the Division of Operations leadership team embraced the concept of Unreasonable Hospitality a philosophy that challenges each team member to use their creativity and resources to go above and beyond for those we serve. There are many ways that our Buildings and Grounds team has implemented this theme into our daily work. One of the most important ways is collaboration and building relationships. Our Central Receiving and Inventory Control Coordinator, Stoney Miller, has worked with our outside vendors to receive items in bulk for lower prices for the University. Our Grounds Services team has recently been working closely with sustainability to supply equipment and help with various tasks including repair of the hoop house at the lower garden. Our Campus and Building Services team has been working closely with students from the Cumberland Valley and West Shore School Districts that need extra support and training in the workplace. The experiences they gain here both in learning to perform the job duties as well as interacting with our Messiah community, are invaluable as they continue their journeys towards independence. This program helps to set them up for success after graduation. We look forward to continuing to collaborate and build relationships with those we serve.
Occupational therapy research presentations
Last week, occupational therapy faculty and students presented posters at their annual Research Symposium. Dr. Leanne Rutt, associate professor of occupational therapy, together with graduate students Emily Allison, Daniela Amato, Erin McVay, Emma Miller and Rachel Lundie, presented a research poster entitled “Examining Occupational Therapy’s Role in Schools Through Administrator and Educator Perspectives.” Dr. Rutt also presented a poster titled “Strengths and Barriers in Employment for Individuals with Serious Mental Illness” alongside students Alayna Brubaker, Alyssa Eager, Olivia Miller, Mayleigh Perkins and Kristyn Usilton.
Dr. Joanna Behm, associate professor of occupational therapy, with graduate students Kasi Conjack, Erin Herzog, Samantha Kelly and Jenna Towfighi, presented a poster titled “Perceptions of Lifestyle Interventions for Dysautonomia: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study.” Dr. Behm also presented a poster about “Occupational Wholeness Among Individuals with Dysautonomia” alongside graduate students Heidi Schoenhals, Anna Stoner, Kaitlyn Wilburn and Diazia Woodard.
Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy Dr. Kim Duetsch, along with graduate students Hannah Chambers, Alexa Henry, Brooke Hanson and Hannah Logan, presented a research poster titled “Impact of a Burnout Prevention Training on the Professional Quality of Life of Community-Based Mental Health Professionals.”
Dr. Carrie Gorman, associate professor of occupational therapy, with graduate students Abby Bare, Val Rakerd, Gabby Slater and Ellie Witmer, presented a poster entitled “The Perceived Benefits and Barriers of International Experiences for Occupational and Physical Therapy Students.”
Assistant professor of occupational therapy Dr. Jim Foster, together with graduate students Molly Kuhn, Cody Loudenback, Amanda Patterson, Lizzy Pistoria and Lily Plute, presented a poster about “Exploring Self-Efficacy in Digital Literacy Among Healthcare Professionals.”
Oracle training for supervisors of student employees
The Student Employment Office and Payroll Office will be hosting training sessions in January on the new Oracle system for supervisors of student employees.
These sessions will cover:
- Key changes and system navigation
- Hiring and onboarding student employees
- Managing the web clock
- Approving timesheets
If you supervise student employees or handle administrative tasks related to hiring and/or timesheet approvals, we strongly encourage you to attend. Please review the available time slots using the link below and click “Sign Up” to register for a session. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508044AABAC2EA0F58-61309968-oracle Thank you for your participation and support in ensuring a smooth transition to the new system.
Contact Belinda Conrad, student employment coordinator, at bconrad@messiah.edu should you have any questions.
Technology support
Please see below for helpful tips and updates! Contact us by emailing techsupport@messiah.edu regarding any of this information or if you have any questions in general.
Desktop computers: Please leave all desktop (adjunct/workstudy) computers powered on. System updates happen automatically on the computers if they are turned on.
Chrome, Edge or Firefox? Firefox and Safari web browsers do not work well with the new Oracle system. The preferred browser would be Chrome, with Edge being a second choice. Both Chrome and Edge can be signed into using Messiah credentials, and will synchronize with the Messiah password, making it easy to back up and restore bookmarks, passwords, etc.
New phone? The Microsoft Authenticator app will not automatically transfer your Messiah account between your old and new phone. It is highly recommended that you set up at least one additional method for MFA as a back-up such as a text message or a call to your personal cell phone. This will allow you to sign into your Messiah account and reset Microsoft Authenticator to use on your new phone! Check out messiah.edu/mfa for more information.
CLASSIFIEDS
Job opportunities
Community Wellness has an opening for a part-time assistant director of PREP Programming. Job related questions may be directed to Kris Hansen-Kieffer at khansen@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/30680.
Facility Services has an opening for a full-time administrative assistant. Job related questions may be directed to Brian Miller at bemiller@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/30665.
The Office of the Provost has an opening for a full-time associate provost. Job related questions may be directed to Christine Gardner at cgardner@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/30515.
The Office of the Provost has an opening for a full-time vice provost for Student Success and Engagement. Job related questions may be directed to Christine Gardner at cgardner@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit:
https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/30630.
The Office of Residence Life has an opening for a full-time interim residence life educator. Job related questions may be directed to Doug Wood at dwood@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/30557.
Graduate Studies: Nursing has an opening for a part-time administrative assistant. Job related questions may be directed to Brenda Elliott at belliott@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/30383.
The Engle Center has an opening for a part-time dietitian. Job related questions may be directed to Carrie Ent at cent@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/30396.
Dining Services has an opening for a part-time PM cook. Job related questions may be directed to Mark Wirtz at mwirtz@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/29703.
Dining Services has an opening for a full-time culinary assistant. Job related questions may be directed to Mark Wirtz at mwirtz@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/30236.
The Office of Development has an opening for a full-time senior regional advancement representative. Job related questions may be directed John Zeigler at jzeigler@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/29719.
The Department of Safety has an opening for a full-time first shift safety officer. Job related questions may be directed to Maranda Hogue at mhogue@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, visit: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/29967.
For sale
Disney and Pixar DVDs for sale. 32 children’s Pixar, Disney and other DVDs $3 each See the attached list. Call Bill at ext. 3904 or email balthoff@messiah.edu if interested.
Items for sale. Please contact Tracy at tsheaffer@messiah.edu if interested.
