PSY Staff Spotlight with Kimberly Brown

April 16, 2025 - Shelly DeJong

Meet Kimberly Brown, an office assistant for the undergraduate advising office in the Department of Psychology, who does everything from helping enter grades to working alongside advisors with programing and social media. Read on to learn more about what Kim likes most about her job, what her go-to advice is for students, and what her life looks like outside of work! 

  

How would you describe yourself? 

I would say that I'm organized, funny, and understanding. I'm definitely a go-getter. I enjoy taking on additional tasks and learning new things, as I like to get involved in various activities. Once I master something, I immediately start thinking about what I can tackle next. So, yes, I consider myself a go-getter. 

 

You've been here since 2018; how did you end up here? 

I was in a different career at the time and wanted to try something new. Growing up around here, I had always heard about Michigan State University and was interested in exploring opportunities there. On a whim, I applied for a few different jobs and ended up getting interviews with several places. One of those interviews was with the psychology department, where I met Sarah Handspike and Audra Jeffrey. During the interview, I remember thinking how much fun it would be to work with them and hoping I would get the job. Fortunately, I did end up getting it! 

  

What does your typical day look like?  

It depends quite a bit on the academic cycle. Right now, we're in the thick of enrollment season, so it is a lot more chaotic these days. Typically, my routine involves coming in, checking my emails, and managing our psychology override form to see what updates are needed or if there are any responses to address. Since I also help with the advising office's social media, I always check our Instagram for anything that needs to be shared or posted, and I look for other events happening on our page that we might want to promote. 

Additionally, I help manage our Zoom Room, which serves as our virtual office. My colleague Audra and I alternate days for this task. So, some days I’ll be in the Zoom Room while advisors meet with students. My role involves triaging, where I assist students by asking what they want to discuss and directing them to the appropriate advisor.  

 

What do you like most about your job? 

I love working with students. It's really rewarding to see them arrive as freshmen, full of excitement and new to the university, or as transfer students, and then watch them progress through their time here. I enjoy helping them become connected and providing them with resources. Michigan State is a large campus, which can be overwhelming for many students, so I make it a point to remind them that they’re not alone. Many students are in the same boat; nobody knows anyone when they first arrive, and often they haven't reached out to faculty before.  

I appreciate the opportunity to talk with students and support them during their time at MSU and within our department. It’s truly exciting to be part of students' growth. It’s wonderful to see their confidence grow. 

 

Can you give me a snapshot of your life outside of work? 

I have a big family, and I’m very close to them. So, outside of work, I spend a lot of time on the phone with various family members—my parents, cousins, and friends. When I’m not on the phone, I’m probably cooking something, as I love to cook. I consider myself both an introvert and an extrovert, so while I enjoy spending time at home, I also appreciate socializing. Every once in a while, I like to let my hair down and go out, whether that’s to the movies or out for dinner. I love to eat, so I’m always up for going somewhere nice. Overall, my life is relatively calm and not too chaotic. 

 

What do you like to cook the most? 

I’m a big seafood fan, so I would probably choose a mix of seafood dishes, like salmon, shrimp, various types of fish, crab, and lobster. Recently, I made lobster rolls, which inspired me to get creative in the kitchen. Seafood is definitely a favorite of mine.  

I also love soul food because I grew up eating it, so I cook that quite often as well. However, soul food involves a lot of cooking, so I usually reserve it for Sundays when I have plenty of time to prepare and let the flavors develop.  

 

What makes you proud to work here? 

I would say one of the things that makes me proud is that we always get a lot of great responses from the students. They always seem to be very appreciative of our help. It can be challenging for students to get into classes or have their experiences counted, so being able to say, "Yes, we can help you with this," is very satisfying for me. Especially when I see students who are approaching graduation and face last-minute hurdles. It's so satisfying to see students reach the finish line.  Seeing them graduate and leave successfully is incredibly fulfilling. 

 

Do you have any go-to advice for students? 

My main piece of advice is to ask questions. Don’t hesitate to reach out to anyone —your advising staff, your faculty, or teaching assistants— if you have uncertainties. It’s important to remember that there are no silly questions. Sometimes getting clarity can prevent you from getting tripped up later. 

Many new students feel apprehensive about asking questions because they believe they are the only ones who don’t understand. In reality, a lot of people share those same concerns. Remember, everyone has been in your shoes at some point. It’s a unique experience, but you’re not alone in navigating it. Don’t be afraid to seek help!