Fourth-annual summit aims to boost staff engagement, community
Staff members in the College of Arts and Sciences are invited to join the fourth-annual staff summit. The first day of the summit will feature virtual offerings related to the event’s theme: Building Bridges: Connecting, Collaborating and Creating Together.
Day two of the staff summit will include organized activities and presentations to foster a stronger sense of community and belonging. The emphasis on building connections will involve learning about campus, strengthening our college culture, engaging in community building and fun.
The summit is scheduled for Tuesday, May 14, 10 a.m.-3:15 p.m. (virtual) and Wednesday, May 15, 8:45 a.m.-4:45 p.m. (in person) plus an optional happy hour in downtown Boulder. All members of the college’s staff are welcome to attend. Registration is required and is available at this .
Participation in the summit is optional. Staff members are encouraged to attend relevant sessions, and the college has urged managers and chairs to support these professional-development and community-building activities.
The staff summit is an outgrowth of the college’s Be Heard initiative and its commitment to employee development and engagement. The Be SEEN: Staff Training and Mentoring working group is committed to providing staff more opportunities to connect and network by investing in professional-development opportunities such as this staff summit.
How to attend and next steps:
- Please register by Wednesday, May 8, for one or both days of the staff summit at this .
- Please include your dietary restrictions for breakfast and lunch.
- Help us celebrate college wins! As part of the 2024 Staff Summit, we want to celebrate the great accomplishments of the departments in arts and sciences. Please describe your department's biggest win of the year by completing a short questionnaire at this .
For questions, contact Erin Cunningham Ritter
Full schedule of events
Location: virtual via Zoom
10 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Welcome and opening remarks
Bernadette Stewart, assistant dean of culture and people, College of Arts and Sciences
10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Keynote Presentation
Pat O’Rourke, executive vice chancellor and chief operating officer, Boulder
Pat O’Rourke will deliver a presentation that sets the tone for the summit's theme: Building Bridges: Connecting, Collaborating and Creating Together. Participants are encouraged to bring questions related to campus strategy and this year’s theme.
11:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Break
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Strengths in Our Differences: Fostering a Culture of Inclusivity and Respect in the College of Arts and Sciences
Moderators
Stephanie Colunga Montoya
director of inclusive practice for natural sciences, College of Arts and Sciences
Elaine Paul
director, Visual Arts Complex
visual resources specialist, Department of Art and Art History
Panelists
Kirk Ambrose
professor of Classics and founding director of the Center for Teaching & Learning
Jessica Brunecky
Divisional Manager, Social Sciences
Martin Boileau
professor and department chair, Economics
Join us for an inspiring panel discussion celebrating the diverse contributions of all members of the College of Arts and Sciences community at Boulder, regardless of employee background, level or classification. Moderated by Stephanie Colunga Montoya, director of inclusive practice for natural sciences, and Elaine Paul, director of the Visual Arts Complex, this panel will explore how each individual's talents and perspectives contribute to the college's overarching goals in student success, research excellence and operational effectiveness.
12:30 p.m.–1 p.m. Lunch break
1 p.m.–2 p.m. Celebrating ’s Legacy in Research
Massimo Ruzzene, vice chancellor for research and innovation and dean of the institutes, Slade Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Research & Innovation Office
This session highlights and celebrates Boulder's current research, historical research milestones and the invaluable staff contributions, as we foster a sense of pride and connection to Boulder's academic legacy. By highlighting the vital role each of us play in advancing the research mission, we will emphasize the power of collaboration and unity. This session will not only delve into the depth and breadth of arts and sciences research, but also integrate key highlights from across campus, showcasing our interconnected academic community.
2 p.m. –2:15 p.m. Break
2:15 p.m.–3 p.m. Three Resources for Building Community on Campus
Representatives from the three offices listed below will give brief overviews of their offerings, with opportunities for all college community members to build connections on campus:
Volunteer Resource Center
Fred Hodges
Event and community partnerships program manager
Volunteer Resource Center
Restorative Justice Program
Jamie Pratt, assistant director of restorative justice and conflict resolution
Student Conduct & Conflict Resolution
Basic needs center
Fred Hodges
Event and community partnerships program manager
Volunteer Resource Center
3:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. Wrap-up
Location: Idea Forge | Project-Based Learning Studio
Fleming Building | 2445 Kittredge Loop Dr. | Boulder, CO 80309
8:45 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. Bagels and coffee
9:15 a.m. – 9:20 a.m. Welcome and opening remarks
Glen Krutz
Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
9:20 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. CELEBRATE!
Staff Advisory Committee (SAC) Employee of the Year Winners
Chris Marelli
SAC co-chair, director of the general chemistry labs
Elaine Paul
director, Visual Arts Complex
visual resources specialist, Department of Art and Art History
9:30 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. Break
9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Higher Education, a Whole Different Animal: How and Why Higher Education Is Not Like Other Organizations
What makes higher education different from other organizations and industries? What are the different employee “cultures” in an institution of higher education and what do they value? How are decisions made in higher ed? What do we mean by shared governance? Why does it take so long to get things done? These and many other questions about working in an institution of higher education will be answered in this session!
Merna Jacobsen, Ph.D., SPHR
Associate vice chancellor for organization and employee development
Deputy chief human resources officer
10:45 a.m. - 11 a.m. Break
11:00 a.m. – 12 p.m. Empower Personal Career Decision Making in the Midst of Self-Doubt and Systemic Barriers
While it can feel empowering and relieving to make a career decision, taking steps to enact the decision can feel overwhelming. For some of us, self-limiting beliefs—including imposter syndrome—negatively affect our ability to achieve a goal. For others, especially members of underrepresented and historically marginalized identities, systemic issues including access can hinder career goal attainment. Attend this highly interactive session to gain more clarity on what might be holding you back from taking the leap and pursuing your next career move. Collectively, we will discuss this topic on an individual and systemic level in terms of limitations and strategies for addressing those limitations.
Kristi Wasson
Assistant director, populations comprehensive career team
Boulder Career Services
12 p.m. - 1 p.m. Lunch
Table resources: check out the three resources for building community on campus
Stop by the tables to learn more!
Fred Hodges
Event and community partnerships program manager
Volunteer Resource Center
Jamie Pratt
Assistant director of restorative justice and conflict resolution
Student Conduct & Conflict Resolution
Fred Hodges
Event and community partnerships program manager
Volunteer Resource Center
1 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. The Welcome Land Launch Hub Is Here!
Bernadette Stewart will introduce a new hub of knowledge that provides an introduction to the System. It empowers employees and supervisors to recognize where they are situated in the college, division and department, and to gain tactical guidance for work responsibilities.
Bernadette Stewart
Assistant dean of culture and people, College of Arts and Sciences
1:30 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. Break
1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Adopting the Shared Equity Leadership Model to My Work While Centering and Empowering My Personal Journey
The Shared Equity Leadership Model is a “critical-consciousness” process that invites individuals to reflect on and become critically aware of social, political and economic oppression and the resulting social injustices; identify and navigate the structural constraints and social inequities that limit human agency and well-being; and acquire the skills and resources to transform oppressive elements and create a just society. Through interactive participation and reflection, participants will dive deeper into what it means to reflect on their personal journey toward critical consciousness, while sharing equity-focused values and enacting specific practices to promote more just and equitable outcomes.
Dr. Patricia Gonzalez
Assistant dean for justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, College of Arts and Sciences
Marysia Lopez
Program manager for justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, College of Arts and Sciences
2:45 p.m. - 3 p.m. Break
3 p.m. - 3:20 p.m. Idea Forge tour
Victoria Lanaghan
Program coordinator, Idea Forge
3:20 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. Campus tour
As the final session of the summit, this tour will immerse you in our top-tier public research institution nestled below the Flatirons. Discover the academic excellence, cutting-edge facilities and vibrant community that define the College of Arts and Sciences. From historic landmarks to awe-inspiring outdoor spaces, Boulder offers an unforgettable educational journey in a stunning natural setting. Bring your water and walking shoes and dress for our Colorado weather!
Gavin Laing, tour guide,
Faculty affairs senior coordinator, College of Arts and Sciences
4:15 p.m. - 6 p.m. Happy hour at
The campus tour will end at the Buffalo pool (Rec Center) and from there we will go on a short walk to Avanti on Pearl Street (those with cars can meet us there). Food and drinks aren’t provided but please come spend time building community with your colleagues.