CAHNR Grow & Thrive
A day of collaboration, professional development and networking
CAHNR Grow and Thrive is a day dedicated to professional development, bringing staff from across the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources together to learn, connect, and grow. Organized by the CAHNR Staff Advisory Council and sponsored by the Dean’s Office, this event is an opportunity to build new skills, collaborate with colleagues, and strengthen our shared vision for CAHNR’s future. Through interactive workshops, team-building activities, and thoughtful discussions, attendees will gain valuable insights and practical tools to enhance their work and impact. By investing in our staff, we’re building a stronger, more connected community that will continue to drive CAHNR forward.
Join us!
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
8:30AM - 4:00PM
Ratcliffe Hicks Building & Arena (RHBA)
Schedule
8:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Coffee/Check-in
Location: RHBA Lobby (please enter using the main entrance facing the green)
Light refreshments and snacks will be provided.
9:05 - 9:30 a.m.
Welcoming Remarks
Location: RHBA 201
Morning Sessions
Attendees will have registered for two out of the three development sessions
9:45 - 10:45 a.m.
10:55 - 11:55 a.m.
Navigating Conflict with Confidence: Keeping Conversations Constructive
Description
This session will provide participants with practical strategies for managing difficult conversations, particularly when others shut down or become confrontational. Participants will learn techniques to de-escalate tension, maintain focus on shared goals, and steer conversations back to a productive path. Whether engaging with a graduate student, colleague, supervisor, subordinate, or faculty member, these skills will enhance communication effectiveness in high-stakes situations where emotions may run high.
Facilitator: Cinnamon Adams, University Ombuds
Personal Leadership Plan
Description
Have you thought about how your core values dictate your life decisions? In this workshop, participants will explore their personal values and identify what is important to them (e.g. honesty, integrity; family; success). They will begin to understand how their core values may affect their decisions and future leadership plans.
Then, participants will explore time management and goal-setting techniques (S.M.A.R.T. goals) while connecting core values as a means to set personal, organization, or professional goals.
Facilitator: Tiffany Hoxie, Interim Director of Leadership and Organizational Development
The Productive Professional: Tools and Tips from your Peers & Microsoft Planner Overview
Description
In today’s fast-paced work environment, leveraging the right tools can make all the difference in achieving efficiency and success. This session provides an overview of essential tools and practical applications designed to streamline planning, scheduling, communication, collaboration, and evaluation tasks. Whether you're managing projects, coordinating with teams, or seeking to improve workflows, this session will introduce user-friendly solutions and strategies to enhance job performance.
Participants will leave with actionable insights and resources they can immediately implement to boost productivity and foster more effective collaboration in their workplace. The session would be designed to allow for peer-to-peer sharing, not strictly lecturing format.
The tools that will be highlighted include:
- Planning/Scheduling: When2Meet, Doodle, Scheduling Poll (Microsoft app), Microsoft Bookings
- Survey Tools: Microsoft Forms, Qualtrics, Polls (Microsoft app)
- Collaborating/Project Management: Microsoft Teams & Microsoft Planner
Facilitators: Michelle Everard, Office of University Senate & Virginia White, CAHNR Dean’s Office
12:00 - 12:10 p.m.
Team Building
Location: Arena
12:10 - 1:00 p.m.
Lunch and Surprise Guest Speaker – Stay Tuned!
Location: Arena
Afternoon Sessions
*Check-in for afternoon sessions will be at 11:50 a.m. in the Arena.
Attendees will have registered for two out of the three development sessions
1:10 - 2:10 p.m.
2:20 - 3:20 p.m.
Generative AI: Promise and Perils
Description
Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) can seem magical. Knowing the basics of how it works and thinking about its risks and benefits, now and in the future, can support informed use of GenAI in the workplace, in classrooms, and in personal contexts. This session will explore practical uses, limitations, and ethical implications. There will be opportunity to practice with Microsoft Copilot. After attending this session you will be able to identify how you would apply generative AI in your work, articulate practical and ethical challenges related to AI, and compare a few different Generative AI tools.
Facilitator: Tina Huey, Associate Director of Faculty Development
Mental Health First Aid: Understanding the Basics and Supporting Peers and Students
Description
This session will introduce the key principles of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) while emphasizing the importance of self-care for professionals working in higher education. Walk away with actionable strategies to foster mental well-being—both for yourself and those you support.
Facilitator: Maryann Fusco-Rollins, Assistant Extension Educator
Time Management
Description
Being successful depends on your ability to manage your time efficiently. Come learn some techniques for getting what you need to get stuff done while still having a life outside of work.
Facilitator: Rachel Prunier, Director of Teaching and Learning in the Life and Physical Sciences, CETL
3:20 - 3:40 p.m.
Team Building
Location: Arena
3:45 - 4:00 p.m.
Closing Remarks
AM and PM Professional Development Sessions
Participants will have the opportunity to attend two professional development sessions and two in the afternoon. Professional development sessions run for one hour. The morning and afternoon schedules offer three different sessions to choose from- morning and afternoon sessions are not repeated. When you register, you'll be asked to rank your preferred session, and we will do our best to accommodate your top choices.