Meet a Fellow APA Member

Meet Liz Ayres, our highlighted APA member from RHS Creative Services.

What is your job title?

Graphic Designer II

How long have you been at MSU?

I have worked for MSU for 41 years; 4 years as a student and 37 years full time. I worked for 4 years as a student worker at Owen Dining Hall as I attended MSU. Upon graduation I took on the full time position as a cook at Owen and a year later transitioned into supervision there. Eventually I transferred to Akers Dining Hall. While I was supervising there, I went back to school and earned an associate’s degree in Graphic Design from Lansing Community College and graduated in 1998. Right about the same time a position opened up in the RHS Publication Office (now IS Creative Services). I applied and got the job and started working there that same year. 

Have you been a member of the APA the whole time?

When I was in food service I was an APSA overseeing the full time staff and student team members. When I changed jobs to a Graphic Designer, I became an APA.

What department do you work in, and can you tell me a little about what you do?

I work at Creative Service which is a part of Residential and Hospitality Services – Information Services. On a daily basis I design print, digital and web materials for the departments of RHS. Some jobs involve just one requested item. There are also campaigns which involve many jobs. One example of a campaign is the Spring Arts & Crafts Show. This campaign has 14 jobs. Some jobs are printed in-house and I follow through on the production from designing to printing to packaging. I also work with our student team members, assigning jobs and overseeing the production of our weekly UAB posters and table tents.

What brought you to your job at MSU?

My sister was attending MSU when I graduated from high school, which was a big determining factor in my choice of MSU for college. It was nice to have her here when I came.

What do you love about working at MSU?

I love being around the students. They are so full of life and caring and I love seeing their perspective on life and the world. I also love the campus. It is beautiful in all the seasons.

What do you like to do when you are not at work?

I love to read and go to movies, especially adventure and disaster films. I also love to be with my kids – that is my 2 dogs who are sweethearts. They both love to play and cuddle!