Ace Callwood, Director, Envoy

https://www.linkedin.com/in/acecallwood/

Moving beyond performative statements around DEI, Ace talks through the pragmatic steps of someone from an “in’ group providing genuine allyship to individuals of an “out” group on the basis of mutual partnership. Honest, direct, and sometimes pushing against the trends of the moment. A deep dive into a serious subject without the presenters taking themselves seriously.

Conference Track: UNencumbered Workplace Culture & Resilience

Melissa Burton, Administrative Coordinator, Office of the VP for Health Sciences

Dan Han, Chief Information Security Officer, VCU Technology Services

Alison Jones, Associate Vice President for Academic Operations and Strategy, VCU Health Sciences

Vickie Mullins (Moderator)

Felicia Fowler (Moderator)

Leadership at VCU can take on many forms at many levels. Join us for a leadership panel discussion from VCU “legacy” employees, as they discuss how VCU has helped them grow and gain work and leadership opportunities and how they have been able to use those skills to help the university in return. The panel will consist of members of the VCU and VCU Health community who lead at different levels from staff to VPs, some of whom have started as students and risen through the ranks. We will discuss leadership qualities and work-life balance through leadership as well.

Conference Track: UNderstanding Career Development

Haley Sims, Senior Associate Director, Career Advising & Discovery, VCU Career Services

We know managing up is important, but what is it and how do we do it? Some middle managers get caught in an endless game of trying to please everyone and end up burning out or thinking the grass is greener at another institution/organization. In this session, we’ll discuss metrics for success and collaborate to know how and when to deliver feedback as we lead from the middle. Participants will be able to list resources to identify their supervisor’s style, recognize tactics in communicating with their supervisor, and gain experience in applying strategies for managing up through case studies.

Conference Track: UNderstanding Career Development

Penny McFarline, Organizational Development Specialist, Human Resources

Maike Philipsen, Professor, Department of Foundations of Education, School of Education

Brian Cone, Research Project Manager, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Participants will engage in a reflective and exploratory exercise around a personal or professional goal to help them identify the beliefs and behaviors that limit positive change. The exercise will illustrate the concept of immunity to change (ITC), developed by Harvard social psychologists Bob Kegan and Lisa Lahey, used globally and applied at VCU by the NSF-sponsored ADVANCE Institutional Transformation grant. Participants will have the opportunity to follow up with an ITC facilitator for further engagement after the workshop.

Conference Track: UNderstanding Career Development

Virginia Damron, Senior Career Counselor, Health Services, VCU Career Services

Whether you're a new or seasoned professional, women face unique challenges in the working world. This presentation focuses on learning the gender differences in communication and how to overcome barriers that lead to misunderstanding. Walk away with a better sense of how you communicate and pick up some tips on how to adapt your communication style based on who's in the room.

Conference Track: UNderstanding Career Development

Jonathan Fuller, Assistant Director for Student Leadership, Office of Student Leadership and Engaged Learning

Heifetz and Linsky's concept of adaptive leadership, which describes how to lead when there are no known or existing solutions, has remained at the forefront of leadership theory for years. Even with a wide range of strong research, the skill itself can still feel unapproachable, especially in the height of uncertainty. When faced with new circumstances, when you realize your education or training didn't prepare you for everything, what do you do? In this workshop, participants will engage reflective practices that they can use to flex their adaptive leadership muscles and prepare their students (or others they lead) to do the same.

Conference Track: UNderstanding Career Development

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

How well do you know your colleagues across campus?  Let's spend some time getting to know each other through a fun and interactive session of connection and learning. Let's also explore how we can possibly collaborate across our departments and roles.  

Conference Track: UNencumbered Workplace Culture & Resilience

Priscilla Clayborne, Office Manager, Grants and Contracts Accounting

Ways that I have forged forward mentally, relationally, and physically to occupy the space I am in. Being your Authentic self while collaborating with others.

Conference Track: UNtraditional Mental Health & Wellness

Ginny Thompson, Instructional Designer, VCU Online

Taron James, IT Executive Coordinator and Desktop Assistant Manager, VCU Technology Services

Warren Mays, IT Supervisor and Employee Engagement Coordinator, VCU Technology Services

David Oglethorpe, Executive Director for Strategic Communication, Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation

Daniel Ruckus, ITSM Architect, VCU Technology Services

India Hawkins, Research Technician, Pediatrics (Moderator)

Ella Danilovich, Website Developer, Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (Moderator)

In this panel, we are assembling experienced mentors and mentees from various VCU career communities to discuss mentorship, aiming to: 1) debunk the myths of mentoring, 2) delve into the qualities needed to be a mentor or a mentee, and 3) explore the benefits of mentorship for both the mentee and the mentor. Through sharing anecdotes and insights, our speakers will emphasize how mentorship not only enhances the mentee's professional and personal growth but also significantly contributes to the mentor's own development.

Conference Track: UNderstanding Career Development

Michael Talley, Director, Application Development, Infrastructure and Business Intelligence, School of Dentistry Office of Information Technology

Brent Idleman, Director of Clinical and Instructional Technology, School of Dentistry

Presence is the difference maker. Presence cuts through the anxious chaos in our families, workplaces, and communities. It's the way a room changes when you walk into it, and the impact you carry with you. How can we demonstrate and cultivate an UNanxious presence in the face of daily stress and pressure? In this talk, we will discuss the characteristics of a presence-driven leader, understand how others experience you, and develop your own unique leadership presence.

Conference Track: UNderstanding Career Development

Starr Robinson, Health Promotion Specialist for Well-Being Coaching & Programs, RecWell

Mia Liadis, Assistant Director of Health Promotion, RecWell

Looking to lead more mindfully, but sometimes find yourself getting lost along the way? This session will serve as your M.A.P.! Join RecWell’s Starr Robinson, M.Ed., and Dr. Mia Liadis, PhD as they discuss RecWell's novel Mindful Ambassador Program (MAP). In this workshop, you’ll discover tools to help you integrate mindfulness into your life and lead more mindfully for others. You will leave with mindful tips, resources, and opportunities to connect with peers who are interested in helping VCU become a more mindful community.

Conference Track: UNencumbered Workplace Culture & Resilience

Archana Kumar, Director of Human Resources, VCU Qatar

Stephanie Bonner, Director of Personal Development and Counseling Services, Student Affairs

The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting years of quarantine and remote work arrangements not only had a major impact on our mental health but also altered the way we view our professions and our career goals. As we begin the new year, we understand now more than ever how a career development process can be a vital tool in finding and managing work trajectories that lead to positive mental health and wellness. Join us for this interactive workshop where we will explore the 3 R's and learn how to achieve mental wellness and career success.

Conference Track: UNtraditional Mental Health & Wellness

Alison Miller, Interim AVP of Human Resources, Human Resources

Suzi Weaver, Director of Operations and Wellness, VCU and VCU HS Employee Health

Stacy Johnson,  EEO / AA Manager, VCU Health Systems

Jordy Rabinowitz, Interim Chief Human Resources Officer, VCU Health Systems

Rebecca Aldridge (Moderator)

Join human resources, employee health, and DEI leaders to learn about existing resources and how to access support for career development, mental health and well-being, and workplace culture and resilience across the VCU enterprise. The presentation will include an overview of resources specific to VCU and VCU HS, as well as those that are shared across the VCU enterprise. Following the presentation, the presenters will engage in a panel-style discussion. You do so much every day to support VCU’s mission and goals - let us share some ways the university can support you, too.

Conference Track: UNderstanding Career Development

Brent Idleman, Director of Clinical and Instructional Technology, School of Dentistry

Maintaining an insatiable appetite for learning has so many benefits. In this session, we will discuss an eclectic approach to learning that will benefit you personally, open doors for you to advance, improve wellness, and foster growth for your organization.

Conference Track: UNderstanding Career Development

Bret Clayton-Brooks, Senior Clinical Research Coordinator, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Ashli Phillips, Program Manager, DEI Office, VCU School of Medicine,   

Felicia Harris, Director of Sponsored Programs, College of Humanities and Sciences

Trevon Straughter (Moderator)

This panel discussion focuses on the experience of young adult professionals in the workplace. We aim to 1) identify and spotlight the perspectives, priorities, and barriers specific to this demographic and 2) highlight the business impact of the generational shift in the workplace while investigating best practices for engaging young and new professionals. We plan to initiate discourse relevant to young professionals themselves, their colleagues, and managers to navigate topics such as Gen Z and Millennial burnout, “The Great Resignation,” the difficult transition from college to career, the intergenerational dynamics of power, and employing strategies to reimagine workplace norms to increase equity, belonging, and retention. The information presented will be a combination of validated data and anecdotal experiences from panelists.

Conference Track: UNencumbered Workplace Culture & Resilience

Dr. Aaron Hart, Vice President, Division of Student Affairs

Being a successful candidate and getting your dream job starts with having the right resume and cover letter. Attend this session to learn critical and detailed skills and trade secrets to give you the best chance of getting the job you want!

Conference Track: UNderstanding Career Development

Sherwood Randolph, Clinical Director, Pediatrics

When engaged, most individuals will note the desire to live a stress-free life, when the reality is that stress utilized in appropriate ways can produce increased productivity, satisfaction, and career advancement. One of the presenting concerns while pursuing occupational success is the threat of burnout (bad stress) based on presenting demands, expectations, standards, and competing priorities. This workshop focuses on the effective management of presenting stress via physical, socio-emotional, and spiritual self-care leading participants to identify purpose within presenting stress, therefore mitigating burnout.

Conference Track: UNtraditional Mental Health & Wellness

Thomas Bannard, Assistant Director, Substance Use and Recovery Support, University Counseling Services

Finding ways to incorporate healing practices into workplace practices builds a culture of care, leadership, authenticity, and vulnerability among team members. Practices of self-care, service, sharing, and healing are endemic to recovery culture but are often missing from the workplace. This workshop will explore ways in which teams can incorporate and adapt healing and self-reflective practices into professional settings in a way that allows team members to be seen and supported by each other. We will explore specific ways in which our organizational culture and practices encourage wellness while examining barriers to creating a caring culture. Additionally, we will practice "going a little deeper" by utilizing check-in and connective practices during group gatherings. Finally, we will examine ways in which we create a culture that encourages vulnerability while maintaining appropriate boundaries.

Conference Track: UNtraditional Mental Health & Wellness

Helene Bumbalo, Associate Director of Graduate Professional Development, Business Career Services, School of Business

This workshop will equip participants with essential knowledge and skills in leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) in career management. Participants will leave the workshop embracing a culture of lifelong learning through a deeper understanding of how using AI can enhance career development efforts. They will gain access to resources and tools to help them stay updated in their field, learn goal-setting and tracking strategies with AI, and learn about successful AI-driven career development stories.

Conference Track: UNderstanding Career Development

Kristen Rasmussen, Director of Human Resources, College of Health Professions

Amy Armstrong, Associate Dean of Faculty and Associate Professor Rehabilitation Counseling, College of Health Professions

Organizational scholarship reflects the integral role of a strength-based culture to enhance performance and engagement outcomes. The College of Health Professions utilizes Clifton Strengths, for staff and faculty, as a framework for leadership, team development, performance management, and individual career development. In this session, we will share the development and implementation of our experience building a workplace culture that optimizes our talents and contributions.

Conference Track: UNencumbered Workplace Culture & Resilience

Sara Jones, Program Manager, Analytics & Investigations, Integrity and Compliance Office

Suzanne Milton, Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer, Integrity and Compliance Office

In this session, we'll condense our 2-hour workshop into a discussion-driven hour. We'll introduce the key concepts of psychological safety, discuss a case study, and provide attendees with tools they can use to create a culture where all in their workplace feel safe to be their authentic selves.

Conference Track: UNencumbered Workplace Culture & Resilience

Fred Gatty, Doctoral Student, School of Education

Emotions wield an immense influence over our lives, shaping our thoughts, intentions, and actions with unparalleled authority. In this transformative session, you will:

1. Gain the skills to navigate the intricate realm of emotions effectively.
2. Discover how to sidestep the pitfalls of succumbing to inappropriate feelings.
3. Gain mastery over your emotions, even in the most challenging situations.

Conference Track: UNtraditional Mental Health & Wellness

Kaitlin Hinchey, Assistant Professor, Counseling and Special Education

The roles and identities we hold across our lifespan affect how satisfied we are with the work we do, and how supported we feel in our environment and our overall wellness. Using career counseling theory, attendees will generate a Career Lifeline and Ecomap and discuss how their past and present roles impact their current (and future!) career development.

Conference Track: UNderstanding Career Development