Annual Professional Development Day
2024 Theme – Unlock Your Potential: Recharge, Reconnect, Renew!
The 7th Annual Professional Development Day was held on Dec. 17, 2024, where growth and well-being took center stage! After a busy Fall quarter, we aimed to center our staff and our collective work. This day was an opportunity to recharge the spirit, reconnect with colleagues, and invest in the future.
Staff engaged in dynamic workshops that focused on self-care strategies, career development, and innovative practices in Student Affairs and Campus Life. Inspiring speakers shared insights on navigating challenges and fostering resilience.
We came together to celebrate our shared mission and empower one another to thrive both personally and professionally. We embrace this chance to rejuvenate your spirit and rediscover the joy of making a difference in students’ lives.
Upcoming sessions included:
- Making the most of your benefits;
- Student panels;
- Resilience toolkit, and more!
Meet Our Keynote Speaker
Dr. Sabrina Kwist currently serves as the Associate Vice Provost of Antiracism, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ADEI) at University of San Francisco, working to collaborate and implement the institutional vision for access, belonging, and inclusive excellence. For more than two decades, Sabrina’s work has embodied her deep commitment to equity and inclusion as a transformational force in higher education.
Schedule
Student Centeredness Award & Breakfast | 8 – 9:20 a.m.
The Student Centeredness Award is presented annually to UC San Diego community members to celebrate acts of student centeredness at the university.
Learn MoreKeynote | 9:15 – 10:15 a.m.
Keynote
Price Center West Ballroom
Presenter: Sabrina Kwist
Breakout Sessions Round 1 | 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Student Panel - The Value Beyond Transactional Conversations
The Price Center Forum
Real-talk on how impactful our interactions are with the students we talk with. Transactional conversations bring them to your door, but what you don't see is the transformation impact you make and how much you are valued.
Conflict Resolution in Changing Times
Student Governance Chambers
Lt. John Smart and Caitlin Frank from SAGE will share strategies on how to manage conflict when working with impassioned people. The session will include open discussion to share feedback and hear from colleagues who have implemented conflict resolution tactics in real-life situations.
Making the Most of Your Benefits
Student Leadership Chambers / Virtual (https://ucsd.zoom.us/j/99332582596)
The Make the Most of Your Benefits presentation will cover important topics to help you get the most use out of your UC-sponsored health, welfare and retirement plans. The first half of the presentation will be focused on wellness and prevention to ensure we can all do our part to help offset the rising costs of healthcare. The second half will cover significant financial details about the UC retirement plans to make sure you can make the most of your retirement benefits in 2025!
Breakout Sessions Round 2 | 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Unlock Your Potential: Identifying and Leveraging Your Transferable Skills
The Forum
Transferable skills are the key to adaptability and growth in any professional field. This interactive discussion will help you identify transferable strengths and apply them in roles on campus or beyond. Whether seeking growth within the university or a career pivot, gain tools to showcase your value and take the next step in your professional journey.
Designation and Servingness
Student Leadership Chambers
Join us for a one-hour session exploring the significance of a Minority Serving Institution designation. This workshop will delve into what designations mean, their impact on higher education, and the importance of fostering a culture of inclusivity and serving for underrepresented students. The purpose of this session is to reflect on how staff play a crucial role in supporting underrepresented communities and the importance of creating a culture of "servingness".
Encouraged Pre-Reading: We ask that folx that are attending this session to please read Toward a Multidimensional Conceptual Framework for Understanding “Servingness” in Hispanic-Serving Institutions: A Synthesis of the Research (PDF).
Resilience Toolkit
Student Governance Chambers
Helps to establish a network of support & accountability for staff and faculty working towards personal and professional goals. The session discusses skills and strategies to maintain resilience and flourish while managing the many stressors we face.
VC-SACL Staff Awards & Holiday Party | 2 – 4 p.m.
Price Center West Ballroom
The festivities will include food, beverages, gift drawings and fun!
Revisit Past Sessions
Thank you to everyone who attended Professional Development Day 2023!
For those who missed a session or want to revisit one, we've got you covered.
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