Get to know IPF: Lisa Desprez

Lisa Desprez, a 1992 MSU graduate in elementary education, has witnessed many professional changes since she began working at MSU’s College of Nursing Professional Partnerships department in 2009.

In 2011 she was “bumped” from her clerical technician position in the College of Nursing and eventually landed in Campus Sustainability, managed by the Vice President of Finance and Operations (now Administrative Services). Around 2013, Campus Sustainability became part of IPF, and through some reorganization, IPF Strategic Initiatives was created where she currently works as an administrative assistant II. 

“I’ve loved connecting with people all across MSU’s campus,” said Desprez about the different transitions. “Every time things changed, I found new things to be passionate about.”

Desprez serves on many committees through IPF and the university. She is on the IPF Workforce Engagement subcommittee, the MSU Women’s Advisory Committee for Support Staff (WACSS) and the IPF Diversity and Inclusion Steering Committee.

“I really like helping people in different ways and supporting them in whatever they need,” Desprez said. “I think development of the workforce and bringing in a more diverse workforce is really important, which is why I love being a member on all of these different committees.”

Providing logistical and practical support to town hall meetings, supervisor meetings and mobile device engagement trainings and managing HR and financial transactions for the department is just a few of the ways Desprez keeps IPF moving forward. Lately, she has also been editing and proofing with the IPF communications team. 

Outside of work, Desprez enjoys reading—J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings is her favorite book series—and bird watching. She occasionally fishes, snowmobiles and used to deer hunt. This winter, she is considering taking up cross-country skiing to make it through her least favorite season in Michigan.

Desprez advises other IPF employees to “be open minded and adaptable and to find the positive whenever there is change.”