MARCH 7-8, 2023
"If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself."
~ Henry Ford
TUE
| 9:00 AM |
Light Refreshments / Opening Remarks
|
| 9:30 AM |
Keynote - Derek Tollefson |
| 11:10 AM | Session One |
| 12:00 PM |
Lunch
|
| 1:10 PM | Session Two |
| 2:10 PM | Session Three |
| 3:10 PM | Session Four |
| *Session Descriptions | |
WED
| 8:30 AM |
Snack Station
|
| 9:00 AM | Session Five |
| 10:00 AM | Session Six |
| 11:00 AM | Session Seven |
| 12:00 PM |
Lunch
|
| 1:10 PM | Session Eight |
| 2:10 PM | Session Nine |
| 3:10 PM | Conclusion & Raffle |
| *Session Descriptions | |
Keynote Presentation
MPR | 9:30 - 11:00 am
Dr. Derrik Tollefson
"Drop the Baggage & Catch Your Flight"
Each of us unknowingly carries Baggage that drains our energy and makes our lives difficult. It keeps us from fulfilling our aspirations and reaching our potential. The longer it goes unrecognized, the heavier it gets. Every day we find ourselves battling to keep up with the demands of life. We often feel weighed down and held back from our true potential. Even increasing our effort doesn't bear much fruit and may make the Baggage heavier.
This presentation will help you discover what this Baggage is, where it comes from, and how to release it. You will experience what it feels like to "fly" (live) without this Baggage.
Derrik Tollefson is Professor of Social Work and director of the I-System Institute at Utah State University. He previously served as head of the Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Anthropology and the founding director of the Master of Social Work program at USU. He also served as interim and associate dean of the Uintah Basin campus.
Session Descriptions - Tuesday, March 7
BY APPOINTMENT
Be Well Health Screenings
Alyssa Jensen | JLSC 202
Although losing weight can be good for overall health, focusing on weight loss alone can lead to cycles of losing and regaining weight, lower self-esteem, and a preoccupation with food and body image. You'll find more success if you set goals that focus on health instead of weight loss only.
USU Eastern Benefits & Retirement 1:1
Lisa Leishman | JLSC 127
USU offers rich, comprehensive benefits and retirement options - are you taking advantage of them? Schedule a 1:1 to discuss your benefit and retirement options available to you and have your questions answered by Lisa Leishman, Associate Director of Benefits.
SESSION 1 | 11:10 am - 12:00 pm
Onboarding Employees
Susan Leonard & Lisa Sherman | RV 186
Brief overview of the hiring process from job posting, hiring, on-boarding, required paperwork, EPAF's, time entry, time sheet approval, to pay periods and pay dates along with the importance of timeliness.
Maximizing Productivity with Online Organization Tools
Debbie Pearson | RV 187
Brief overview of the hiring process from job posting, hiring, on-boarding, required paperwork, EPAF's, time entry, time sheet approval, to pay periods and pay dates along with the importance of timeliness.
Vegetable Garden Season Extension
Steve Price | RV 124
Tired of waiting for harvestable veggies every year? Froze out too early to make the most of your plants? By understanding season extension, you can grow faster and harvest more on the same amount of land. We will discuss proven methods and costs.
Quiet: Empowering Introverts in an Extroverted World
Christina Pay | CIB 101
Through discussion and engaging activities, participants will come to understand the qualities and traits of introverted individuals and the impact they can have in an extroverted world. Participants will complete a brief quiz to gain an understanding of their tendencies toward introversion or extroversion. The presenters will engage the participants in a discussion about how participants can leverage their natural strengths and encourage others around them to do the same in their personal lives and professional lives.
SESSION 2 | 1:10 - 2:00 pm
LEGO & Student Development Theory
Brad Watson | RV 186
What is "student development theory", and how can it assist personnel in various departments in higher education as they work with college students? This presentation will offer a brief overview of a few college student development theories and provide practical examples of how these social science theories can assist higher education personnel who work directly or indirectly with students. Using LEGO as a metaphor, this engaging presentation will help session participants understand how student development theory helps higher education personnel see what students can become and do what's best for students at various stages of development.
Argos Business & Student
Lisa Sherman & Jessica Prettyman | RV 187
Join Lisa Sherman and Jessica Prettyman to review Argos's different reports available for your research in the Finance and Student modules. If you don't access to these modules but would like to learn how to navigate through Argos, please come. This interactive session allows you to ask questions and see the options available.
Intro to Fruit Trees: 5 Things You Need to Know
Steve Price | RV 124
Fruit growing seems challenging and diving in without a plan usually ends in disaster. Where to start, what to grow, how to manage ... it's a bit overwhelming. We will break down five principles to consider before starting on your fruit tree adventure.
Developing a Growth Mindset: Creating Opportunities to Navigate through Change
Christina Pay | CIB 101
Through thought-provoking discussion and engaging activities, participants will examine the differences between fixed and growth mindsets and their impacts on everyday life. Recognizing that change is constant, it is advantageous for one to learn to view challenging times as opportunities and possibilities. Growth mindset vs. fixed mindset is an innovative approach to frame our current reality and our responses to it. Learning to apply a growth mindset is a key strategy in promoting resilience and wellbeing.
SESSION 3 | 2:10 - 3:00 pm
Health Savings Account (HSA)
Darrell Harris & Erik Ahlheim | RV 186
This presentation will discuss why everyone who works at USU should have the High
Deductible Health Plan with an HSA, and why you should invest in it before any
other retirement account.
Defusing Escalation
Lexie Richens | RV 187
This course is for individuals who serve in a customer relations role. Learners will learn how to identify and show empathy to individuals in crisis, identify when situations are escalating, and gain strategies on how to defuse escalation while keeping themselves safe.
Mental Fatigue
Christina Pay | RV 187
The combination of modern society and the work we do can leave one feeling mentally fatigued- a condition caused by long periods of demanding cognitive activity. Research shows that mental fatigue can result in increased tiredness, lack of energy, decreased motivation, and can negatively impact performance and cognitive functioning. In essence, mental fatigue correlates to a low battery awaiting a jump start.
Break out those jumper cables and let's look at ways to revitalize and recharge without high costs of time or money. Through engaging discussion, participants will explore causes of brain drain and discuss the symptoms of a low mental battery (mental fatigue). They will learn about research based, low budget activities to incorporate into their day to recharge their mental battery and provide the necessary energy to help them thrive.
4 Steps to Raising a More Sustainable Lawn
Steve Price | RV 124
Lawns can increase landscape aesthetics, value, and homeowner quality of life, but they can be resource intensive. Making small management adjustments can still produce an enjoyable lawn while reducing the strain on you and natural resources.
SESSION 4 | 3:10 - 4:00 pm
Budgeting in the 21at Century
Darrell Harris & Erika Ahlheim | RV 186
This session will highlight a successful budgeting system and cover ways to break bad money habits and create good money habits.
Take Advantage of Your Benefits & Retirement Options
Lisa Leishman | RV 187
USU offers rich, comprehensive benefits and retirement options - are you taking advantage of them? Come learn about the benefits and retirement options available to you and have your questions answered by Lisa Leishman, Associate Director of Benefits.
Campus Safety
Tana Christensen & Isaiah Palmer | RV 124
Representatives from USU Eastern's police department will present on campus safety resources and provide participants with information about how to stay safe on campus.
Mindfulness at Work
Dr. Ashley Yaugher | CIB 101
Learn a different way to understand yourself professionally and personally with mindfulness. A brief overview of mindfulness as your new superpower will be discussed, along with various examples of this skill. We will practice mindfulness activities together during the workshop, leaving attendees refreshed and ready for the rest of the day.
Session Descriptions - Wednesday, March 8
SESSION 5 | 9:00 - 9:50 am
Growing Where You're Planted
Cameron West | RV 186
Exploring the importance of belonging as it relates to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at USU Eastern.
Gardening for Pollinators
Steve Price | RV 124
How do we "Save the Bees"? We're going to separate fact from fiction to give you practical tips on designing a landscape you and pollinators will love.
Building Resilience for Workplace Success: Self-Awareness
Dr. Ashley Yaugher | CIB 101
Learn why resilience is for everyone and how strengthening resilience can increase workplace successes. We will discuss what it means to be self-aware, how it connects to resiliency, and ways to become more self-aware and resilient. Attendees will be provided with a variety of ideas that they can incorporate into their everyday lives. Participants will practice resilience-building skills and be provided with a worksheet to continue their self-awareness journey.
A Crash Course in Process Mapping
Nicole Schrubb | LLC
Brief overview of the hiring process from job posting, hiring, on-boarding, required paperwork, EPAF's, time entry, time sheet approval, to pay periods and pay dates along with the importance of timeliness.
SESSION 6 | 10:00 - 10:50 am
MyUSU Training
Tessa Evans & Calissa Beach | RV 186
Come learn the ins and outs of USU's main student and staff portal, MyUSU! This training will serve both beginners and more experienced admins. Rapidly turning into the one-stop-shop for university communication and resource, you'll want to utilize this great resource!
Maple Tapping in Utah
Steve Price | RV 124
Through discussion and engaging activities, participants will come to understand the qualities and traits of introverted individuals and the impact they can have in an extroverted world. Participants will complete a brief quiz to gain an understanding of their tendencies toward introversion or extroversion. The presenters will engage the participants in a discussion about how participants can leverage their natural strengths and encourage others around them to do the same in their personal lives and professional lives.
Breaking the Stigma Surrounding Mental & Substance Use Disorders
Dr. Ashley Yaugher | CIB 101
Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) are medical conditions that continue to be highly stigmatized, which exacerbates losses and increases barriers to treatment. Stigma creates a vicious cycle that requires evidence-based and intentional efforts to combat. This presentation reviews forms of stigma, the national opioid overdose epidemic as an example, the use of non-stigmatizing language, and other tools to combat stigma are discussed. Participants will leave with tools and resources to begin breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and SUDs.
Understanding the Voice of the Customer
Nicole Schrubb | LLC
So, who are the customers in higher education? Students, parents, alumni, and employees - could all be examples of customers in higher education. Every role serves some customer. Do you know who your customers are? During this course we discuss and practice how the Kano (pronounced "Kah-no") model can help us understand and align our actions with our customer's expectations.
SESSION 7 | 11:00 - 11:50 am
Creating Sustainable Wellness Goals
Alyssa Jensen | RV 187
Although losing weight can be good for overall health, focusing on weight loss alone can lead to cycles of losing and regaining weight, lower self-esteem, and a preoccupation with food and body image. You'll find more success if you set goals that focus on health instead of weight loss only. This presentation will discuss behaviors, goals, and strategies that will lead to more sustainable outcomes in the way you look and feel!
Excel
Ben Wolford | RV 124
Come learn a couple secrets in Excel. Learn how to use some of the Excel functions that aren't very well known or used. Learn how to get your Excel certification.
Overview of Local Opioid Overdose Crisis
Dr. Ashley Yaugher | CIB 101
In recent years, substance-related overdoses, many of which involve opioids, have contributed to more deaths than car accidents. Carbon and Emery Counties have led the state of Utah in overdose deaths for many years, requiring action from all of us to turn the tide of this crisis. An overview and explanation of the potential dangers of opioids and the current local overdose crisis will be provided. Participants will learn about local resources and how each of us can play a part to help those around us.
SESSION 8 | 1:10 - 2:00 pm
Marketing for Your Own Department
Loren Miller | RV 186
This presentation will go over what marketing tools and resources available to USU Eastern staff.
Counseling
Josie Luke & Eric Hansen | RV 187
This session will focus on identifying key stressors in the workplace and ways to incorporate self-care into your daily routine. This will include reviewing the long-term impact of stress on a person. The presenters will teach several techniques for reducing stress that can be incorporated in a workplace or after-work setting. Finally, the presenters will also lead an open discussion concerning stress management and seek tips from the audience.
6 Ways to Boost Your Vegetable Garden
Steve Price | RV 124
Delectable and nutritious, garden-fresh veggies can be a meal-time staple for your family. Our simple tips and resources will help you get the most of your garden this year.
SESSION 9 | 2:10 - 3:00 pm
Library Resources
Michael Harris | RV 186
As Utah State University Eastern staff members, you have the same level access to library resources as any other member of the USU community. This includes not only physical books and media, but numerous other databases, online streaming sites, and so many more! This talk will briefly touch on how to locate and access these, along with navigating them.
Ornamental Tree Selection: Right Tree, Right Space
Steve Price | RV 124
Castle Country can be tough on trees, but they are a worthwhile investment. Extreme climatic and soil conditions, limited site and resource restrictions, and voracious pests and diseases complicate selection decisions. We'll go over locally relevant selection criteria to help you choose the right tree for your home landscape.
Campus Fire Safety
Lauren Shrek | CIB 101
Fire emergencies are unpredictable and can cause panic in a workplace. To avoid these situations, it is important to be prepared in the event you find yourself face to face with one of these fire related emergencies. This session will not only help you prevent these emergencies, but also prepare you for the best response to protect our Aggie Family. Following the conclusion of the presentation, participants will have the opportunity to use a fire extinguisher in a controlled, hands-on setting and become more comfortable with the use of these extinguishers.
Closing Remarks & Raffle
MPR | 3:10 - 4:00 pm
A big thank you to our awesome presenters and to all of our attendees for being here! We hope you got a lot out of this mini-conference and we look forward to facilitating more opportunities in the future. If you have feedback or ideas of what you'd like to see in the future, please reach out to a committee member.