Much of what makes a university function and thrive happens quietly, behind the scenes, through the work of staff who navigate complexity, bridge differences, and support every corner of campus life, regardless of the challenges we face. This talk explores how intercultural dialogue shapes everyday interactions in diverse university environments and how appreciation, when expressed thoughtfully across differences, can strengthen connection, inclusion, and a shared sense of purpose to creating a culture where people feel seen.

The recent transition to GradSlate for Graduate Assistant (GA) hiring has introduced both new procedures for departments and new opportunities to streamline and standardize our business practices. Join members of The Graduate School for an interactive Q&A-style discussion designed to answer questions, clarify expectations and best practices, and support successful GA hiring.

High-pressure environments can trigger reactive communication that escalates tension and misunderstandings. This workshop helps participants recognize stress responses and use strategies to respond with professionalism, empathy, and collaboration, strengthening workplace relationships.

How do generative AI chatbots work? How much can they be trusted, and what can they safely be used for? This talk will cover AI's impact on the news media landscape, as well as broader implications in higher education and the world at large.

Managing Graduate Assistant assignments requires clear expectations, consistent documentation, and an understanding of key contract provisions. This session will review important considerations related to GA assignments, including workload expectations, faculty communication, documentation of responsibilities and concerns, and common issues that may arise. Participants will gain practical guidance for supporting fair, compliant, and transparent GA management within their departments.

Leading Through Disruption is a 50-minute interactive session grounded in research on what leaders like you are doing to navigate uncertainty and change. We'll look at some of the disruptors reshaping our work at UConn, then get specific on what we can do now to lead ourselves forward. Five disruptors, five concrete actions to take, and one clear answer to the question: what can I do about this disruption today?