The AT Lecture Series: Perspectives in Leveraging Technology and Promoting Staff Development (Arbor Suite)
Ben Lass, Digital Learning Center Coordinator, IT Academic Technology
Kate McCown, Academic Technologies Director of ITS at UNL
Are you wondering about ways to use technology to make your departmental processes more efficient? Or perhaps how to provide professional development opportunities for your staff so they get exposure, build confidence, develop skills, and become highly engaged workers? Then come to our session! Kate McCown and Ben Lass from ITS Academic Technologies (AT) will explain how the AT Lecture Series accomplishes both goals.
The presentation will include how and why the lecture series began, video clips from some of the sessions, and how you can take what you learn to your department—encouraging professional development, scaling efficiencies, and documenting processes. Whether you want to use this process internally or to externally showcase your department's knowledge and skills, you should find something of value to take away.
Cultivating a Positive Culture: One Seed at a Time (Prairie Suite)
Dr. Falesa Ivory, PhD, Psychologist
John Goldrich, MSW CAPS Assistant Director of Embedded Services
Kristin Jagels, MSW, CAPS Care Manager
Amid the Great Resignation, continued presence of COVID 19, as well as major societal issues are taking a toll on institutions of higher education. The changing demands of providing quality services to students has taxed University resources requiring department leaders to develop more innovative solutions to meet student needs. These increased performance demands impact role stress, workplace conditions, wellbeing, and job satisfaction of faculty and staff.
The presenters will share the implementation of a program to improve workplace conditions, improve team cohesion, foster employee's personal development, and experience both respect and appreciation in this setting.
Breaking Out of the Box: Cultivating Creativity in the Workplace (Great Plains A)
Mamie Boerner, Office Support Associate, Agronomy & Horticulture
How can creativity flourish in the workplace when your work area resembles a box? What are the benefits of cultivating a more creative work environment? Creativity in the workplace is especially important in a time where we are seeing businesses struggle to maintain good employees. Encouraging creativity can help people become more invested and connected to the work they do. We will look at what the benefits are to establishing a more creative environment for employees such as increasing problem solving skills, increasing work efficiency, and promoting a fresh way to approach challenges that employees can run into. Participants will engage in interactive demonstrations to experience firsthand how creativity can enhance areas such as problem-solving skills. Finally, we will explore ways that creative spaces can be done while maintaining a professional environment.
Well-being: Emerging Trends and Integration With Academic Affairs (Great Plains B)
Abbey Ragain, Prevention Program Coordinator, Center for Advocacy, Response & Education
Jackie Mattingly, Interim Associate Dean for Student Success; Assistant Professor of Practice in Music
Considering the feelings of isolation and lack of connectedness among students identified in 2018 and 2022 Healthy Minds Study, Big Red Resilience and Well-being (BRRWB) partnered with Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts to enhance these connections. Facilitators will share the creative strategies developed specifically for the Hixson-Lied College of FIne and Performing Arts using assessment results, addressing underrepresented populations, and engaging the entire college community to enhance the culture of caring among faculty, staff, and students. Facilitators will share specific details to encourage collaborations across campus.