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 link.

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 link.
• 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 link.

For questions, contact Erin Cunningham Ritter  

Full schedule of events

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, CU 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 CU 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 CU’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 CU Boulder's current research, historical research milestones and the invaluable staff contributions, as we foster a sense of pride and connection to CU 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

CU 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

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
CU 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!

Volunteer Resource Center

Fred Hodges
Event and community partnerships program manager
Volunteer Resource Center

CU 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

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 CU 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, CU 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 Avanti

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.