In response to faculty and staff feedback, UIS is offering a Professional Development Retreat next month for Civil Service/Academic Professional staff and Faculty. A multidisciplinary team of UIS colleagues has developed an exciting half-day retreat focused on Workplace Wellness.

Two tracks are available. Both Tracks 1 and 2 will include a continental breakfast in the PAC first-floor lobby provided by the U of I System Wellness Committee; keynote address in Sangamon Auditorium by local wellness professionals Dr. Nicole Florence and Wendi Schutte with Memorial Wellness Center; and then a choice of two breakout sessions offered by UIS and UI System faculty and staff.

Six options exist for the breakout sessions:

• Session A: Active Wellness, presented by Dr. Alan Freedman, assistant professor in the Master of Athletic Training program, and Jordan Killen, campus recreation coordinator. This interactive presentation will focus on how to be productive at work without jeopardizing fitness. Discussion will focus on ergonomics, exercise and nutrition.
• Session B: Avoiding Workplace Burnout, presented by Dr. Travis Bland, interim dean of the College of Health, Science and Technology. Burnout is a workplace phenomenon marked by feelings of exhaustion, cynicism and reduced professional efficacy. It is the result of chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. This workshop will introduce several concepts that will empower individuals and managers to address the multifaceted aspects of burnout, fostering a more balanced and sustainable approach to work and well-being.
• Session C: Conflict Management, presented by Dr. Sudeep Sharma, associate professor in the Management, Marketing and Operations program. In this session, participants will discuss critical skills for navigating difficult conversations with direct reports, colleagues or supervisors, especially when emotions run high and positive outcomes are essential.
• Session D: Personal Wellness in the Workplace, presented by Joy Brownridge and Colleen Crawford, University Human Resources. Learn helpful practices and techniques to enhance whole-person well-being. Addressing every aspect of your individual wellness is essential for you to thrive in your work life. While many of the tips and resources can be used to ease your work stress, they will also help you keep total wellness in the forefront of your mind on a daily basis.
• Session E: Facilitating a Positive Workplace Culture, presented by Dr. Jim Klein, associate professor in the Counseling and Social Work program and UIS Ombudsman, and Shelby Bedford, assistant director for access and equity. Learn about the foundational elements of conflict resolution and how a preventative and proactive focus on reflection, biases, boundaries, and inclusion can positively contribute to workplace culture.
• Session F: Embracing Slow — Mindfulness & Workplace Wellness, presented by Dr. Tim Hakenewerth, assistant professor in the Counseling and Social Work program. All too often in the academy, the prevailing work culture is one of speed and efficiency, marked by a glorification of busyness. In this session, participants will explore a radical antidote that supports wellness and improves teaching, research and collegiality​: embracing Slow. Guided by the principles of The Slow Professor (Berg & Seeber, 2016), you will engage in dialogue around ways to shift the academic work culture to bring back enthusiasm, creativity, wellness, and enjoyment of roles in higher education. 

Track 1 includes: Retreat Sessions in the Performing Arts Center (continental breakfast, keynote address and two workshops) & Lunch Panel in the Student Union Ballroom: 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The lunch panel will include a boxed lunch and a panel discussion featuring the event’s workshop presenters. Note: Space is limited in Track 1 and registration will be closed when we meet capacity.

Track 2 includes: Retreat Sessions only (continental breakfast, keynote address and two workshops): 8:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. — Performing Arts Center. No capacity limits.

Register online by Aug. 31.

This is the first of two professional development retreats we plan to offer this academic year; look for a second in Spring 2024. Please reach out to Melissa Mlynski or Kelsea Gurski with questions.