Engineering a Better Engineering

At the College of Engineering and Applied Science, we聽aim聽to enrich our professional environment.聽We value one another as human beings first and embrace practices to support the health, wellness聽and success of our聽community members.聽This year, we want to build community through interactive and educational opportunities with peers and coworkers.

Our annual Staff Professional Community week will be held May聽23-26, organized by the Engineering Staff Council.

These events are exclusively for College of Engineering and Applied Science staff members.聽If you have any questions about Staff Professional Community Week, send us an email at聽esc@colorado.edu.

Event Schedule

Monday, May 23

10-10:50听补.尘.

Place:听痴颈谤迟耻补濒

Presenter: Stanley Ly, MA, LPC, Director of the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program

The significance of developing emotional and mental resilience has always been important for our overall wellness and balance when we鈥檙e encountered with challenges or distress. Perhaps now more than ever with many of us performing extra responsibilities and feeling the weight of demands, how we stay emotionally resolute, motivated, and adaptable to changing and often uncomfortable circumstances bears tremendous importance. Join us for this engaging conversation in learning what neuroscience tell us about how the resilient brain functions, and how that research informs the skills we need to overcome obstacles and develop resilience.

2-2:50听辫.尘.

Place:聽ECCR 105

Presenter: Jerry Hauser, Faculty Ombuds and Professor Emeritus

The demands of departmental life can lead to stressful situations and result in problematic behaviors. Adhering to professional norms can be challenging. Not adhering to professional norms is not an option. Join Jerry Hauser, Faculty Ombuds, for an overview of professional expectations, a basic consideration for why those in stressful situations can go into attack mode, and some considerations for de-escalating tensions.

3-5听辫.尘.

Place:聽Idea Forge,聽Fleming Building

Presenter: Engineering Staff Council and CEAS Dean's Office

The ESC is hosting a staff happy hour to kick off Staff Professional Community Week! Come join us at the Idea Forge for an opportunity to connect with your fellow staff over some ping pong and volleyball. We will have beer, wine, non-alcoholic drinks, and a nacho bar available, as well as a chance to win some prizes!

RSVP for Staff Happy Hour by Friday, May 22.

Tuesday, May 24

8:30-10听补.尘.

  • Covered Area under E-Center, Main Campus
  • Aerospace Lawn, East Campus

To show appreciation to all of our hardworking staff, ESC will be provide聽breakfast burritos and coffee from Caf茅 Mexicali at聽both main and east campus. We will be giving away an ESC branded swag item with your meal. Limited quantities of swag are also available. If inclement weather, we will hold it in DLC 1B70 and in the Aerospace building.

RSVP for Staff Appreciation Breakfast by Friday, May 22.

10-10:50 a.m.

Place: Virtual

Presenters: Vanessa Dunn, Director of Analytics, Assessment and Accreditation; and Kayla Books, Data Analyst

In this session we will cover Excel fundamentals for cleaning, preparing, analyzing and visualizing data. Bring your data set with you if you want specific help with your project.

1-1:50 p.m.

East Campus (JSCBB B115)
Join as the chair and co-chair of Engineering Staff Council listen to your聽concerns, ideas聽and questions about being a staff member in the College of Engineering and Applied Science. ESC is your advocate and representation to the college, so come ready to discuss whatever topics are on your mind!

2-2:50听辫.尘.

Place:聽Hybrid:聽 ECAD 109 and

Presenter: Robyn Sandekian

Diversity and inclusion efforts most frequently focus on improving the environment for gender equity and racial diversity. What is often overlooked, however, are discussions and opportunities to expand those efforts to include identities that are less visible or that are intentionally hidden. Session attendees will walk away with increased awareness about the LGBTQ+ community in general and the resources available within our college and campus community. Plus, the session will provide a safe venue to ask those burning questions!

3-4听辫.尘.

Place:聽C4C patio area

Boulder Campus Staff Council聽is hosting聽the Annual Ice Cream Social. Meet us at the Dean鈥檚 Office at 3聽p.m.聽to walk over together.

Wednesday, May 25

8:30-9:30 a.m.

Place: Covered area under the Engineering Center

Presenters: Engineering Staff Council

Join staff from across the college for a monthly 鈥淲elcome Wednesday鈥� event to socialize and start the day strong. We will also be celebrating May birthdays and recent award winners.聽

10-10:50 a.m.

Place: Virtual

Presenters: Carrie Ann Ngai and Katie Hayes

If you have found yourself questioning your skills, talent and abilities in your professional life, which sometimes leaves you feeling like a 鈥渇raud,鈥� you have experienced a common psychological phenomenon called Imposter Syndrome. Many of us have helped students navigate through their feelings of imposter syndrome, but how often do we stop to reflect on how we manage our own? In this session, we will work on identifying our own moments of imposter syndrome, and will brainstorm coping strategies so we can move forward confidently in our careers.

11-11:50 a.m.

Main Campus (Clark Conference Room, ECAD 109)
Join as the chair and co-chair of Engineering Staff Council listen to your聽concerns, ideas聽and questions about being a staff member in the College of Engineering and Applied Science. ESC is your advocate and representation to the college, so come ready to discuss whatever topics are on your mind!

2-2:50 p.m.

Place: Virtual

Presenters: Alana Davis-Delaria and Rowie Wolf

Description: We know that developing a growth mindset can be transformational for students, but how often do with think about practicing a growth mindset in our professional roles? Join CEAS Certified Academic Coaches for a聽growth mindset discussion. We will identify why a growth mindset is valuable and its practical applications. You will leave with at least one strategy you can use to intentionally develop your capacity to engage with and practice a growth mindset!聽

Thursday, May 26

10-10:50 a.m.

Place:聽ECCR 105

笔谤别蝉别苍迟别谤:听Amy E. Moreno Sherwood, M.Ed. - Director of Inclusive Culture and Acting Director of The BOLD Center

In this session, we will engage in experiential exercises to explore important aspects of our own and other cultures. Participants will be guided in using various self-awareness strategies, and gain practice in responding to the question: 鈥淗ow would you describe your culture?

Noon-12:50 p.m.

Virtual ()
Join as the chair and co-chair of Engineering Staff Council listen to your聽concerns, ideas聽and questions about being a staff member in the College of Engineering and Applied Science. ESC is your advocate and representation to the college, so come ready to discuss whatever topics are on your mind!

1-3 p.m.

Place: Outside the Engineering Center

笔谤别蝉别苍迟别谤:听Engineering Staff Council and Alliance of Therapy Dogs

To close out Staff Professional Community Week, we will be bringing therapy dogs to campus to help staff de-stress. The ESC has partnered with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs to bring a few four-legged friends to main campus and spread some smiles and joy!