Presenters:

• Chris Rzengota, MA, LPC, LSATP, Associate Director of Behavioral Health Services, Student Health Services, George Mason University
• Christina Cunningham, Prevention Coordination Specialist for the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services, Fairfax County Government

This workshop will introduce the concepts of Secondary Traumatic Stress and Compassion Fatigue, and will provide participants with an opportunity to evaluate their own self-care and to identify strategies to improve their well-being both personally and professionally.

Presenters:

• Birgit Debeerst, Director, University Life Project and Process Management, George Mason University
• Susan Pilley, Project Coordinator/Analyst, University Life Project and Process Management

Do you feel like your solutions don't always meet the needs of your customers, but you are not sure why? Then this is the workshop for you! UL Project and Process Management (UL PPM) invites you to discover the power of design thinking. During this interactive session, participants will address a University Life problem using the user-centric approach, design thinking. Participants will learn to clearly define goals and validate assumptions before implementing a solution. During the first part, participants will build a shared understanding of the problem by empathizing with the end users (the customers) and defining the problem. Next, participants will use their creative and innovative skills to generate ideas and define solutions. Let’s make things better together!

Presenters:

• Naomi Martinez-Jones, Director, Disability Services, University Life, George Mason University
• Jamilah Anderson, Associate Director, Disability Services, University Life, George Mason University
• Jennifer Torrance, Associate Director, Disability Services, University Life, George Mason University
• Morgan Strimel, Doctoral Student, George Mason University

Inclusion is not simply a state of being or a destination; it is a continual effort to create equitable and welcoming environments for students of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. Given this, we invite you to consider - how we are pursuing inclusivity at Mason for students with disabilities? Further, how can we celebrate disability as an identity and aspect of diversity in our campus community? In this interactive session, participants will explore disability as identity, discuss disability inclusion in higher education, and be presented with strategies for fostering equitable environments at Mason. Discussions of these topics will be situated both nationally and locally, as presenters will draw on trends of disability in higher education from the U.S. broadly as well as those internal to Mason. After coupling this data with perspectives of our students on equity and inclusion on campus, the presenters will facilitate conversations around complex topics such as ableism, intersectionality, disability microaggressions, and language to set the state for collaboratively determining future action at Mason to foster a campus climate that is both equitable and inclusive for students with disabilities.

Presenter:

• Nick Lennon, Director, LEAD (Leadership Education and Development), University Life, George Mason University

What are the top qualities that people are looking for in their leaders? What is Emotional Intelligence? Is Emotional Intelligence important in your daily life and also in leadership? Participants will learn practical ways to further develop as leaders in multiple contexts (career, family, community, etc.), whether they have a formal leadership position or not. Participants will also will have the opportunity to self-assess on 15 different leadership qualities. Attend this workshop to better understand your own levels of Emotional Intelligence, whether or not they can change, and what this all means for leadership and teamwork.

Moderator: Dr Derek Vigon, Mason Sport Psychologist (CAPS/Athletics), George Mason University

Panelists: 

• Rebecca Dumas (Mason Rec Program Director), George Mason University
• REC personal trainer (TBD)
• Deanna Busteed, Mason Sports Dietitian (Mason Athletics), George Mason University
• Student-athlete (TBD)
• Exercise is Medicine Group Faculty Representative
• CWB Faculty
• Deb Stroiney - Exercise Science/ Kinesiology (Mason Health and Science), George Mason University

Exercise is medicine, and is positively correlated to improvements in physical, dietary, and mental health. Hear from a diverse group of health and performance colleagues each presenting on their specific niche area of well-being, and how to enhance an existing exercise regimen to improve overall health. Panelists include representatives from Mason REC, Sport Psychologist (CAPS/ICA), Sports Dietitian (ICA), student-athletes, CWB faculty, Exercise is Medicine group faculty, and Professor of Exercise Science/Kinesiology.

Moderator: Meeghan Milette, Associate Director of Professional Development, University Life, George Mason University

Panelists: coming soon...

Working parents manage the demands of juggling responsibilities of family, work, and personal life. Parenting over the last 2.5 years, has added complexities to virtually all aspects of life for us and our families, some of which have had lasting impacts on our children and us. The juggle to make family and work life come together is a very real, albeit challenging, experience. Every parent, child, and family are different, and this panel will celebrate the differences in their parenting and share their thoughts and perspectives, as we navigate the transitions with managing work, supporting the education of our kids from daycare to college, and making space for ourselves. The panelists will share resources, reflections, and support with attendees. With the monumental shifts that have taken place over the last two years, finding community as working parents is one, we are excited to engage in with you. Hope you can attend!

Moderator: Daylen Orlick, Assistant Director of Family Programs, New Student and Family Programs, George Mason University

Panelists: coming soon...

Whether you are new professional in Higher Education or consider yourself a "lifer", you may be considering what your future career path may have in-store. Join this panel to hear from various Vice Presidents on how they climbed to the top and gather advice on how you can become one yourself.

Presenters:

• Sara Heming, Associate Director for Student Involvement, George Mason University
• Lauren Long, Executive Director, Student Involvement, George Mason University
• Hope Miller, Associate Director, Student Involvement, George Mason University
• Phil McDaniel, Associate Director, Student Involvement, George Mason University

Join the Student Involvement leadership team for a working session that has individuals examining the processes that consume their work, and how to use a solution minded approach to find more efficiency and satisfaction.

Presenters:

• Joseph Deluna, Assistant Director of Orientation and New Student Programs, George Mason University
• Caroline Simpson, Graduate Assistant, Contemporary Student Services, George Mason University
• Sally Lorentson, Ed.D., Associate Dean, University Life;
• TJ Pegg, Ed.D., Assistant Director for Training & Student Engagement, Student Success Coaching | Patriot Experience, George Mason University

At George Mason University, transfer students represent the largest population of new students who enter our community. Through initial group discussions, members of various offices at Mason came together to discuss how we might better serve our transfer students today and in the future. In this educational session, we hope to facilitate a conversation to learn about and discuss the idea of the modern transfer student, share current experiences, and brainstorm and identify action items and strategies to support transfer students in the future, both philosophically and programmatically.

Presenters:

• Rick Gray, Director for New Student and Family Programs, George Mason University
• Samantha Greenberg, Associate Director for New Student Programs, George Mason University

Mason continually strives to best meet the unique needs of a rapidly growing, increasingly diverse student body. To maximize student success, with the creation of a First-Year Advisory Board comprised of partners across campus, the university is developing a comprehensive curriculum to support students' transition and navigating of their first year. The presenters will share historical context and a snapshot of the curriculum building process, a glimpse into the current state of learning outcomes and strategies, as well as lessons learned so far in our own process.

Presenter: Lauren Kaplan, Assistant Director of Student Government and Student Funding Board, George Mason University

Transitioning to a new role at a college or university can be an exciting endeavor! However, sometimes we are challenged as higher education practitioners to take care of ourselves. This is where the 7 Dimension of Wellness (Hettler, 1976) comes into practice. In this session, we will demonstrate how the 7 Dimensions of Wellness - Spiritual, Physical, Emotional, Career, Intellectual, Environmental, and Social - can help improve our own well-being. When we transition and evolve into new roles, we can use these 7 Dimensions. Participants will engage in interactive exercises to practice the 7 Dimensions of Wellness. You will leave this session with an understanding of how transitioning into a new role – whether you are a faculty, staff, administrator, or student - can be enhanced by knowing these dimensions and their practical application in our everyday lives.

Presenters:

• Caitlyn Largent, Assistant Director for Sexual and Interpersonal Violence Prevention and Response, Student Support and Advocacy Center, George Mason University
• Courtney Diener, Associate Director, Student Support and Advocacy Center, George Mason University

Psychology Today defines emotional intelligence as the ability to identify and manage one’s own emotions, as well as the emotions of others. In Higher Education, we are often tasked with managing the emotions of the students, staff, and faculty we interact with, as well as our own. How does managing the emotions of others impact us? How can we both honor our own emotional experiences while also using skills to help us stay regulated? This first part of this program will focus on discussing emotional intelligence, affective and emotional labor in higher education, and the ways that emotions impact our work and leadership in higher education. The second half of the presentation will focus on skill building through emotional intelligence and how we can better identify, understand, and manage our emotions.

Moderator: Josh Kinchen, Director of LGBTQ+ Resource Center

Presenters: LuLu Géza Kelemen, Assistant Director, LGBTQ+ Resources Center; Mark LaFrance, Associate Athletic Director, Mason Athletics; Erin McCall, Staff Physician, Student Health Services; Susan Lawrence, Director, University Writing Center

Learn about successful collaborations, partnerships, and best practices related to supporting LGBTQ+ students, faculty, and staff, facilitated by the LGBTQ+ Resources Center.  Strategies include discussions of workshops delivered to student and professional staff; practitioner training; partnered events; university-wide and departmental-specific policy updates; index contributions; and consultations about field-specific best practices.

Presenters:

• David Gaskins, Executive Director of Recreation, George Mason University
• Kelly Meehan, Assistant Director, Communications and Program Development, Student Centers, George Mason University
• Supervision Collective

Supervision is an effective skill in higher education. Unfortunately, there is a lack of comprehensive supervision training and resources at postsecondary institutions. This workshop will identify the challenges of training supervisors, discuss common issues supervisors encounter throughout student affairs, and explore potential solutions to support professional staff in strengthening their supervision skills. Through group discussions and the exploration of situations faced in the life of a supervisor, this session will provide ample opportunities for all levels of supervisors to practice their skills in a supportive environment. Furthermore, this session allows participants to share their supervisory experiences and knowledge with other staff members across the division, building a stronger colleague network of supervisors.

Presenters:

• Courtney Diener, Associate Director for Student Support and Advocacy Center, George Mason University
• Caitlyn Largent, Assistant Director for Sexual and Interpersonal Violence Prevention and Response, George Mason University
• Delishia Ashworth, Assistant Director for Substance Use and Recovery, George Mason University

Why recovery? Collegiate recovery communities (CRC) and initiatives have been show to have a positive impact on students success, well-being, retention, and graduation rates. This presentation will define recovery in higher education, including substance use and other process disorders. This presentation will including an overview of the Student Support and Advocacy Center's efforts to re-vamp our collegiate recovery program over the past few years. We will discuss inclusive and supportive language, including ways to de-stigmatize substance use recovery. We will end with resources and other supports for our community.

Presenter: Lewis Forrest II, Associate Dean, University Life, George Mason University

CliftonStrengths Team mapping is widely used to identify a team's collective strengths visually. Not only is it effective, but the process can be beautiful. This session will introduce the importance of timing, familiarity of individual CliftonStrengths, and the benefits of the tool for team development and cohesion.

Presenters:

• Nakia Waters, Assistant Director, First-Gen Student Support, George Mason University
• Lex Lewis-Semien, Assistant Director, STEP (First-Gen+ Center), George Mason University

As a nationally recognized First-Gen forward campus and First Scholars cohort member, the First-Gen+ Center at Mason strives to create a first-gen ready campus. In thinking of UL's vision of 'Every Student Succeeds', this program aims to educate campus partners about the work we do and best practices in working with students who are first-gen, undocumented, have refugee status and have limited income. This program also aims to inform participants of the first-gen identity that is asset focused and centers the strengths, joy and accomplishments of the students we serve.

Presenters:

• Philip Wilkerson, Industry Advisor for Career Services, George Mason University
• Lewis Forrest II, Associate Dean, University Life, George Mason University

"Clear is Kind”-Brene Brown

When we look at leaders, we envision strong, confident, and capable people who lead others but how often do we examine the impact of kindness on a person’s leadership capabilities? In the presentation we will discuss the impact kindness has on a person who is trying to motivate and inspire others to reach their full potential.

Presenters: Meeghan Milette (she/her/hers), Associate Director Professional Development and Amy Snyder (she/her/hers), Director of Staff Experience, University Life

Professional development in student affairs is often “hit or miss” when we should really have a “people first” mentality in order to live a “students first” service. In a time when student affairs staff are reconsidering their professional work, a reinvestment in professional development and supervision are of immense importance to reset the workplace culture and professional experience. Join us as we share national benchmarking research on student affairs professional development programs, define needs in our unique higher education roles, discuss the potential impact of professional development on the staff experience and the role supervisors play in this work. Participants will leave the session with resources, ideas, and the start of professional development goals development.

Presenters:

• Julianna Napiecek, Coordinator of Residential Student Development Initiatives, George Mason University
• Cody Grim, Assistant Director of Residential Student Development Initiatives, Housing and Residence Life, George Mason University
• Mike Hudson, Community Director, Housing and Residence LifeGeorge Mason University

Student leaders are often at the forefront of many of our units’ processes and operations. Their development has a direct impact on the success of our efforts, and it’s important to maintain an intentional plan for how students will develop in the role. We realize that though many of our students will not land in the field of student affairs, providing our staff with sufficient development opportunities will benefit both the organizations that they serve and the students or constituents that they support. This session will highlight which strategies have been effective for Housing & Residence Life as well as share strategies for developing a lifecycle of development for your staff. This will include considerations for creating competencies, generating development opportunities, and creating departmental buy-in for these efforts.

Presenters:

• Caitlyn Largent, Assistant Director for Sexual and Interpersonal Violence Prevention and Response, George Mason University
• Courtney Diener, Associate Director, Student Support and Advocacy Center, George Mason University

In the summer of 2020, The Student Support and Advocacy Center created the OurMason Prosocial Bystander Intervention Program. This presentation will give a brief overview of the history and current research about bystander intervention on college campuses and prosocial behavior skills building. Participants will experience the OurMason Prosocial Bystander Intervention Program facilitated by trained OurMason facilitators. This program includes information about prosocial bystander intervention as applied in a higher education environment, intersectionality and how it relates to prosocial bystander intervention, and how to address barriers to intervention. The program will also include explanations of the I-CAN Model of Prosocial Bystander Intervention and Seven D’s of Prosocial Bystander Intervention. Student Feedback and Responses to the program will be shared. The program will end with time for Q&A and ways to become involved with OurMason.