Joshua Cole, CEO, A NEW Angle: Coaching in Organizational Leadership for Educators

Katybeth Lee, Assistant Dean, Student Success, School of Business

This interactive workshop is designed to equip VCU staff with a foundational understanding of the faculty roles, responsibilities, and evaluation processes. By demystifying faculty roles and workload, we aim to break down barriers, enhance collaborative partnerships and improve operational effectiveness across the institution.

Conference Track: Breaking Down Barriers

Mary Riddick, Senior Director of Development, Medical Philanthropy and Alumni Relations

Participants will be engaged in an interactive workshop to define their personal values and explore how it relates to their team, the university, and beyond. Exercises will navigate how to lead with your values in identifying personal goals, making decisions, and engaging with colleagues in the workplace.

Conference Track: Curating Our Identity

James Wasilewski, Executive Director of Leadership Annual Giving, Development and Alumni Relations

This interactive session uses activities and guided discussion to help participants communicate more effectively, build stronger connections and respond to challenges with confidence. Through energizing exercises, attendees will practice listening, supporting others and staying present in the moment. Participants will leave with practical tools they can use right away to improve teamwork, stay flexible and create more positive interactions at work.

Conference Tracks: Uncommon Keys, Elevated Engagement, Stretch & Grow

Karen Meister, Senior Consultant and Facilitator, The Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute

Leadership isn’t defined by titles; it’s about how we guide, inspire, and motivate others towards a common goal. This session challenges the traditional view of leadership by providing practical strategies for driving change and impact from any position. Participants will learn to recognize and leverage five diverse sources of influence — including Expertise, Trust, and Passion — and apply key behaviors to solve organizational challenges and inspire positive change without formal authority.

Conference Track: Uncommon Keys

Penny McFarline, Organizational Development Specialist, VCU Human Resources

Celia O'Hallahan, Organizational Effectiveness Consultant, VCU Human Resources

AI is rapidly reshaping HR work, and one of the most practical entry points is helping employees write stronger performance and career development goals. Many supervisors and employees struggle to create SMART goals that are clear, measurable, and meaningful. This session shows how AI can be used as a simple, accessible tool to draft, refine, and strengthen SMART goals while keeping ownership and judgment with the employee and supervisor. Participants will learn effective prompting techniques, see live examples of AI-assisted goal development, and explore ethical considerations for responsible use. The session provides practical templates and techniques HR professionals can use to support higher-quality performance and career development conversations. Attendees will leave with ready-to-use prompts they can apply immediately during performance cycles.

Conference Tracks: Uncommon Keys, Breaking Down Barriers, Stretch & Grow

Chynease Allen, Accountant, Grants & Contracts Accounting

Success isn’t what it used to be—and neither are the tools to achieve it. In this session, participants will uncover unconventional strategies and transformative mindsets that redefine growth.  Walk away with practical, actionable insights to elevate performance, adapt with confidence, and unlock opportunities others overlook. This is a roadmap to changing the game in your career.

Conference Track: Uncommon Keys

Kyle Narron, Research Operations Manager, Internal Medicine

Professional growth rarely happens by accident—it’s built through intentional action, strategic self-advocacy, and the courage to step into new opportunities. In this session, I will share my journey from hourly employee to departmental leadership, highlighting the practical tools, mindsets, and internal resources that helped me break out of silos, bridge skill gaps, and navigate tough conversations while remaining aligned with VCU’s culture and values. Participants will explore actionable strategies for taking initiative, positioning themselves for advancement, and confidently advocating for their own growth. This session connects personal storytelling with practical frameworks—empowering staff to stretch, grow, and unlock their next level of professional success.

Conference Tracks: Uncommon Keys, Breaking Down Barriers

Amanda Morris, Lead Program Manager and School Liaison, Continuing and Professional Education

Tinsley Jones, Executive Director, Continuing and Professional Education

This interactive session will guide participants through a reflective process of identifying key areas for growth and professional development within their current roles. Based on participants’ insights, the presenters will highlight VCU Continuing and Professional Education (CPE) programs and learning pathways that align with those needs.

The session will offer a behind-the-scenes look at how CPE designs new programs, from gathering stakeholder input to analyzing emerging skill gaps across higher education and industry. Participants will have the opportunity to express interest in joining an advisory group that helps shape future offerings or contributing to a developing university-wide skills database intended to map the evolving competencies needed across VCU.

Through hands-on activities, discussion prompts, and resource exploration, attendees will leave with a personalized next-step development plan, enhanced understanding of CPE opportunities, and actionable ways to engage with CPE as both learners and collaborators in shaping VCU’s professional learning ecosystem.

Conference Track: Stretch & Grow

Kendra Light, Associate Director, Regional Programs and Volunteer Engagement, Development and Alumni Relations

Volunteering isn’t just about giving back — it’s a powerful engine for personal and professional growth. In this interactive session, participants will explore how service experiences can help them discover new strengths, build meaningful connections, and accelerate career development. Through hands-on activities and guided reflection, attendees will learn how to translate volunteer work into resumé-ready skills, identify development-focused service opportunities, and design a personalized “Volunteer Growth Plan.” Participants will leave inspired and equipped with practical strategies to grow by giving.

Conference Tracks: Uncommon Keys, Elevated Engagement

Bobbi Gouffon, Executive Director, Organizational Effectiveness, VCU Human Resources

Shana Ryman, Learning, Development, and Culture Specialist, VCU Human Resources

Do you ever feel like you're not as good as others think you are? That your success is due to luck versus your talents and hard work? If you ever wonder if your clients, colleagues or boss think you don’t know what you're doing, you're not alone. Studies show that up to 70% of professionals suffer from impostor syndrome, which affects their confidence, effectiveness, and fulfillment at work.

This course will discuss the realities of, and strategies for: 
-Overcoming a sense of inferiority
-Managing negative thinking that impacts your confidence and performance
-Valuing your strengths and articulating your experience and successes

Conference Track: Uncommon Keys

Sara Haskins, Learning and Development Programs Manager, Development and Alumni Relations

A session that discusses and workshops:
-How can concepts of retention and adult learning influence how we build professional presentations and training?
-Facilitator-centered to attendee-centered: how to shift and why it's important
-Information Overload: Core components of your presentation and facilitation and how to maximize retention and understanding 
-How do I foster participation? Tips and ideas on how to make your facilitation interactive, connective and meaningful

Conference Tracks: Uncommon Keys, Elevated Engagement, Stretch & Grow

While attending the 2026 Career Development Conference, be sure to visit the Resource Fair from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM on the second floor near the James River Terrace in the University Student Commons. Here, you can learn about the wide variety of resources available at VCU. Various organizations will host tables, highlighting their development-related services and answering any questions you may have. Be sure to pick up your Resource Fair Bingo Card before attending. If you get 5 in a row while visiting the tables, you will be entered into a drawing to win a VCU swag gift basket!

Table Presenters

• VCU Police (VCUPD)
• Continuing and Professional Education (CPE)
• Recreation and Well-Being (RecWell)
• VCU Technology Services
• VCU Human Resources (Benefits)
• VCU HR Work Life and RamStrong
• Virginia Credit Union
• VCU Employee Health
• Equity and Access Services
• School of Business MBA
• Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute (GEHLI)
• ONE VCU Sustainability Plan
• Division of Community Engagement
• Staff Senate
• Dogs On Call (will be located in Room 228)
• Rodney the Ram
• VCU School of Education
• Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Graduate Programs
• University College Graduate Programs (Master of Interdisciplinary Studies and Master of Product Innovation)
• VCU Center for Sport Leadership's Master's degree program
• VCU Cares
• School of Social Work
• HR OE Team
• Mathematical Sciences Graduate Studies
• College of Health Professions Graduate Program
• Development & Alumni Relations
• General Administration Career Community
• Health Sciences Career Community
• Human Resources Career Community
• Research Career Community
• Information Technology Career Community
• Leadership Career Community
• Student Services Career Community

Clarence Hunter, Chief of Police, VCU Police

Nicole Dailey, Major Public Safety Officer, VCU Police

An overview of establishing a true leadership brand focused on trustworthiness, respect, neutrality and voice. Will provide examples of the outcomes. 

Conference Tracks: Breaking Down Barriers, Elevated Engagement

Kelly Richard, Assistant Director of Global Learning, Global Education Office

Julianna Hill, Global Learning Assistant, Global Education Office

This workshop offers knowledge, skills and resources for teaching and supporting VCU’s 1,200+ international students and scholars. Attendees will attain micro-credentials earning a digital badge after completing training in entry-level culture theory and intercultural communication strategies.

Conference Track: Curating Our Identity

Dannita Trice, Director, Alumni Engagement, School of Education, School of Social Work & Wilder School, Development & Alumni Relations

Ever been handed a project with no clear roadmap—or tasked with launching an initiative for the very first time? In higher education, these scenarios are common—and they can feel daunting. This interactive workshop will empower you to harness connection, curiosity, and courage to transform uncertainty into action. Together, we’ll explore practical strategies for leading and managing initiatives—big or small—that lack step-by-step instructions, including:

-How to identify the right questions and where to begin
-Ways to rally support and manage multi-level relationships
-When and how to make courageous decisions — even without all the answers

Through real-world examples and engaging discussion, participants will leave with actionable tools and renewed confidence to lead and manage ambiguous projects head-on. If you’ve ever hesitated to start because the path wasn’t clear, this session will empower you to move forward with clarity and courage.

Conference Tracks: Uncommon Keys, Breaking Down Barriers, Stretch & Grow

Lindsey Tierney, Assistant Dean of Student Services, School of Dentistry

The current educational landscape has more demands than ever for its employees. Academic professionals must continually respond to changing student expectations, adapt to new technologies, consider emerging learning modalities, and recognize and respond to evolving cultural nuances. This presentation explores how adopting a growth mindset helps faculty and staff better serve Gen Z students while strengthening their own professional well-being and confidence. 

By shifting from fixed attitudes (“This is how we’ve always done it”) to flexible, exploratory thinking (“Let’s test something new”), individual professionals and by-proxy entire systems and institutions, become more resilient, innovative, and student-centered. Participants will learn how modeling growth mindset behaviors directly influences Gen Z learners, who look for authenticity, relatability, transparency, and willingness to grow.

Conference Track: Stretch & Grow

Leadership Career Community panelists

• Dr. Andrew Arroyo, Assistant Director, Office of Multicultural Student Affairs 
• Dr. Misty Mueller, Executive Director, Mary and Frances Youth Center
• Dr. Amy Armstrong, Associate Professor, College of Health Professions

The Leadership Career Community presents a panel to discuss imposter syndrome.

Conference Track: Breaking Down Barriers

Jair Lecky, Assistant Director, Office of Multicultural Student Affairs 

Supporting students can oftentimes be complex, as their experiences are typically multilayered. During this interactive session, you'll dive into a student case study designed to mirror the uncommon students we serve at VCU. In teams, you'll collaborate with peers across the division to unpack the scenario, share perspectives, and explore practical solutions together. 

Conference Tracks: Curating Our Identity, Stretch & Grow

Tanika Santos-MacSwain, Assistant Director of Fitness, Recreation & Well-Being

Health and well-being are deeply personal journeys—unique to each individual and shaped by more than numbers or averages. "Fitness” has often been defined by rigid frameworks that can foster competition, intimidation, and judgment. This presentation invites us to rethink what it means to support well-being in campus life. Together, we’ll explore ways to remove confining barriers and encourage practices that honor each person’s path. Through interactive scenarios, we’ll practice using inclusive language, discuss equity in well-being spaces, and discover strategies to help students, colleagues and ourselves feel empowered in our own health journeys. By shifting the focus from comparison to compassion, we can create environments where everyone feels welcome to explore movement, mindfulness, and self-care—at their own pace, in their own way.

Conference Tracks: Curating Our Identity, Stretch & Grow

Tynesha O'Quinn, Fine HR Consulting

This session gives VCU staff space to pause and truly look at the values, experiences, and shared purpose that shape how they show up each day. Through honest reflection, meaningful conversation, and interactive activities, participants will discover what makes VCU’s identity unique, connect their own values and career goals to the university’s mission, and grow in how they build collaboration, communication, and belonging on their teams. We will talk about how everyday behaviors shape culture, how connection impacts engagement, and why each person plays a real part in creating an inclusive, purpose-driven workplace. This session is for anyone who wants more clarity, more community, and more alignment, and who wants to feel empowered as a co-creator of the VCU experience.

Conference Track: Curating Our Identity

Sarah Jackson, Senior Consultant & Facilitator, Wilder Center for Public Policy

Gina Barber, Director of Administration and Senior Consultant, Wilder Center for Public Policy

When leaders or managers are faced with big decisions that impact their teams, there is a need to bring people to the table to gather input. Teams often bring together a range of perspectives, experiences, and values. But with such diversity comes inevitable tension: How can individuals with conflicting ideas and priorities come together to make collective yet clear decisions?

This interactive workshop introduces the Diamond of Participatory Decision-Making (Kaner et al., 2007). This practical roadmap guides groups through the messy, yet essential, process of developing collaborative solutions. Special attention will be given to the Groan Zone — the critical phase when diverse perspectives clash and discomfort reaches its peak. In a time when our stakeholders seem more polarized than ever, leaning into the Groan Zone allows for transformative understanding to emerge across the edges of our differences. By remaining curious and normalizing discomfort, participants will explore group decision making techniques that create opportunities for divergent thoughts to converge around a set of common goals. Through hands-on activities and reflective dialogue, participants will gain 1) proven tools for navigating challenging group situations, 2) strategies for fostering inclusive, productive conversations, and 3) confidence in leading participatory decision-making processes. Whether you're a leader, manager, or individual contributor, this session will equip you to turn complexity into collaboration—steering groups away from discord and toward a shared direction that can lead to meaningful results."

Conference Track: Breaking Down Barriers

More information for the 2026 Staff Senate Awards for Excellence can be found on the VCU Staff Senate webpage.