DSA Staff Professional Development
Learning and Growth for All
We believe that professional development is essential to promoting excellence within a learning organization. Our professional development blueprint is an investment in our staff's learning and growth.
No matter your learning style, your title, or years of experience, there is something for you in this plan. To match different learning styles, the initiatives come in different formats:
- Structured Learning Opportunities:
- New Employee Experience Program
- DSA Learning & Growth Series - In Collaboration with the Faculty/Staff Assistance Program
- Full-Time Staff Supervisors - Student Employee Education Series
- Informal, Small Group Development:
- Career Mentoring & Networking
- Book Clubs
- Professional & Personal Development Learning Circles
- Experience-Based Development
- Insourcing Experience
- Leadership Coaching
The Blueprint
Structured Learning Opportunities
The onboarding and the first year of the new employee experience are critical. The new employee experience program will involve a divisional welcome orientation and optional sessions throughout the employee's first year to build connections in the division, learn more about the UMD campus, and provide skill development.
DSA New Employee Orientation - Thursday, January 16, 2025. Contact Earl Cabellon with any questions.
In Collaboration with the Faculty/Staff Assistance Program
Staff and Faculty must register for the presentations. After registering they will receive an email containing information about joining the Zoom meeting.
How to Find a Therapist
Sep 12, 2024 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
The Faculty Staff Assistance Program is here to help with referrals to outside providers. If you’re interested in finding a long-term therapist on your own, this will help you get started! We’ll discuss best ways to find people in your network, how to know what you’re looking for, and how to know if someone is a good fit for you. We’ll also answer any questions you may have about finding a therapist.
ADHD in the Workplace w/ ADHD Coach Megan Brown
Oct 3, 2024 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join us as our guest Meghan Brown-Enyia - ADHD Coach and founder of ADHD at Work discusses what ADHD is , how it presents, and how it can impact you in the workplace. Meghan will also be available to answer any questions you may have about ADHD in the workplace.
Giving Back and Mental Health
Nov 7, 2024 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
November is typically the season of giving. Oftentimes the start of the holiday season can be difficult. Did you know that giving back can be good for your mood and mental health? Come find out how and learn ways to give to yourself while giving back.
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Dec 5, 2024 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that’s triggered by a change in seasons, typically usually when fall starts. This seasonal depression gets worse in the late fall or early winter before ending in the sunnier days of spring. Learn about signs, symptoms, and ways to care for yourself.
Personal Finance 101 w/SECU
Jan 9, 2025 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join SECU as the official banking partner of the Maryland Terrapins walks UMD staff and faculty through the basics of personal finance.
Learn:
- What is SECU?
- How can SECU support you on your financial journey?
- Budgeting and savings
- Savings product to help you grow your money
- Healthy credit building behavior, how to responsibly build your credit
There will be trivia, giveaways and much more! We hope to see you there and take your first step towards financial freedom.
The Importance of Rest and Joy
Feb 6, 2025 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
In the fast-paced environment of higher education, where demands often overshadow moments of reflection, socialization, and pause, it's important to recognize the significance of rest and joy. This presentation aims to explore how incorporating intentional practices of rest and embracing moments of joy can not only enhance individual well-being but also strengthen community bonds within academic settings.
Alternative Medicine
Mar 6, 2025 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Alternative medicine is a broad term describing a variety of medical modalities. Such modalities range from the ancient Eastern practices of acupuncture and Tai chi to herbal medicine, Reiki, chiropractic manipulation, and more. Come learn about alternative medicine and how it can improve wellness.
Nutrition and Mental Health
Apr 3, 2025 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Did you know that what you eat can impact your mood? The American Society for Nutrition reports “The relationship between nutrition and mental health is bidirectional: the foods we eat affect our mental health, and our mental health status affects what and how well we eat.” We’ll discuss what research is saying about mental health and food and what foods help with a healthy mind.
Leadership Essentials: The Do's and Don'ts for Effective Supervision
May 8, 2025 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
A presentation to gain key insights into successful leadership practices. We will cover essential strategies for managing your team, while also highlighting crucial mistakes to avoid. Strengthen your supervisory skills and drive your team's success .
Supporting and Celebrating Diversity
Jun 5, 2025 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
We will explore the vital role diversity plays in enhancing our communities and organizations. Gain practical insights and actionable strategies to foster an inclusive environment and celebrate the rich tapestry of perspectives that drive success.
A community of practice for full-time DSA employees who manage students. Participants will learn how to best support student employees through
- educational sessions
- resource sharing
- peer-to-peer discussion
The Division of Student Affairs is dedicated to the strategic plan "Forward Together," aiming to foster an environment where every student can thrive. To align with this vision, we propose a series of professional development sessions tailored for our full time staff supervisors managing student employees. These sessions are designed to align with our strategic commitments, focusing on empowering our staff, enhancing student employment practices, and building a community that recognizes and appreciates achievements.
Objectives
- Enhance supervisory skills across communication, motivation, and leadership.
- Foster a supportive and collaborative network among supervisors.
- Improve student employment practices to increase engagement and retention.
- Recognize and celebrate the achievements of student employees to promote a culture of appreciation.
Session Details
Forward Together: Improving Student Employment Practices (October 2024)
- Goal: To equip supervisors with the tools and knowledge to improve the hiring, training, and retention of student employees.
- Curriculum Highlights: Inclusive hiring practices, engaging environments, retention strategies, feedback, and evaluation.
- RSVP Here
Forward Together: Recognizing Our Achievers (November 2024)
- Goal: To implement recognition techniques that motivate and engage student employees and foster a culture of appreciation.
- Curriculum Highlights: Recognition principles, creative recognition techniques, setting up recognition programs, celebrating diversity.
- RSVP Here
Forward Together: Excellence in Supervision (February 2025)
- Goal: To enhance leadership capabilities and improve communication and motivational techniques among supervisors.
- Curriculum Highlights: Leadership styles, effective communication, motivation strategies, conflict resolution.
- RSVP Here
Forward Together: Supervisors Connect (March 2025)
- Goal: To build a robust network of supervisors who can share insights, challenges, and strategies effectively.
- Curriculum Highlights: Networking techniques, best practice sharing, collaborative problem-solving, peer mentorship setup.
- RSVP Here
Mattering with CLOC: Mattering Matters: Increasing Well-being at Work
- Mattering, the need we all have to feel valued and to add value, is a concept that has been increasingly noted in recent research as a fundamental human need, and as something worthy of attention in the workplace. In this session, a basic overview of the concept of mattering will be presented, as well as its connection to well-being. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss examples from their own workplace experiences and learn strategies for cultivating a sense of mattering and prioritizing this in work environments.
- RSVP Here
Human skills are necessary to create inclusive workplaces, develop others, and foster healthy relationships. This program will focus on:
- developing leaders as coaches
- managing conflict
- creating psychologically safe environments, & giving and receiving feedback.
Participants will identify a real leadership challenge and have other participants support in coming up with solutions and approaches to solving their challenge.
More information coming in the Spring 2025!
Council Conversations - Unlocking Your Potential: Navigating Career Paths in Student Affairs
Tuesday, October 22, 11 a.m. | Zoom | RSVP
This interactive session will provide valuable insights and strategies for advancing your career in Student Affairs. It will feature expert advice with Matt Supple, Director of Family Engagement, Devin Walker, Director of Fraternity & Sorority Life, and Tiffany Gaines-Eukweme, Associate Director in Resident Life, to help you explore your professional growth.
Tap In and Turn Me Up: Learn more about Careers in Student Affairs
(Sponsored by NASPA - Click here to view other events).
Thursday, October 24, 3 p.m. | Nanticoke OR Zoom | RSVP for the Watch Party or RSVP for the Zoom
This engaging, informative session is designed exclusively for undergraduate students interested in the lively profession of student affairs. This program provides an introduction to jobs in higher education and explores the different opportunities available in student affairs—student leadership development and residential life, diversity and inclusion efforts, academic advising, and more.
Professionals of Color Networking Social
Tuesday, October 29, 3 p.m - 5 p.m. | Stamp Student Union, Nanticoke | RSVP
Celebrate Careers in Student Affairs Month at our Professionals of Color Networking Social! Connect with peers, share experiences, and promote diversity in student affairs while enjoying enriching conversations and refreshments. Join us in empowering each other for impactful work in higher education.
Informal, Small Group Development Series
This program pairs DSA staff in mentor/mentee relationships. Through regular meetings, pairs will share resources and experiences with each other, and create action plans that support the mentee’s development.
Timeline:
- Call for mentors and mentees - September 12, 2024
- Application opens - October 9, 2024
- Information sessions - Oct 14, 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. or Oct 17, 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
- Application closes - November 8, 2024
- Communication for pairing for mentor and mentees - November 15, 2024
- In-person and virtual expectations meeting for mentors and mentees - December 3 and 4
- DSA Mentor/Mentee Kick-Off Celebration - December 9, 2024
- DSA Mentor/Mentee Mid Point Connection - May 2025 TBD
- DSA Mentor/Mentee Closing Celebration - August 2025 TBD
Application:
Book clubs allow socializing and connecting with others who share an interest in reading. The DSA Book Club will focus on a relevant topic that impacts staff, skill development, and organizational health.
The books we will offer are:
- The Four Agreements - Don Miguel Ruiz
- Rest is Resistance - Tricia Hersey
Our book clubs will be led by volunteers who will facilitate discussion, impact, and shared learning.
To sign up for the DSA Book Club, please complete this form online.
Professional and personal development learning circles are small, informal, organized groups of staff who are passionate about self-improvement. Similar to affinity and interest spaces, they will meet to share knowledge, support one another, and build connections.
Some examples of groups could be productivity hacks, time management, student development from theory to practice, supervising staff, etc.
Here are some learning circles that have been created. If you want to create one fill out this form:
Coaching Collective:
Facilitators: Earl Cabellon & Shayna Hodges
E-mail the facilitators if you are interested in joining this group.
The University of Maryland’s Coaching Collective Interest Group is a venue for connections to be made and continuous learning to occur among trained/certified coaches, aspiring coaches, or anyone who is interested in learning more about coaching.
Meeting topics will include:
- Sharing best practices
- Enhancing coaching skills (listening, empathy, non-judgment, empowering relationships, etc)
- Creating coaching awareness among others
- How to use coaching as a professional development tool
Enneagram 101 - More coming soon!
Working Genius - More coming soon!
CliftonStrengths - More coming soon!
Experience-Based Development
This pilot program invites staff to apply to complete a project or participate in an approved initiative that may interest them and/or help them gain skills and knowledge. These projects would be solicited from DSA departments with timelines and deliverables.
How to participate
Participants will apply and take part in a review process. If selected, participants will be onboarded with the department and meet with their insourcing sponsor to determine deliverables, and timeline with the department contact.
DSA Leadership Coaching Opportunity - 2025
The Division of Student Affairs is excited to announce an exclusive leadership development opportunity for our staff! In collaboration with SoundingBoard, LLC, we are offering a personalized, virtual leadership coaching program designed to help you grow as a leader and achieve your professional goals.
About the Program
This coaching experience is an opportunity for you to work one-on-one with a professional coach over the course of six months, starting in February 2025. Participants will receive:
- 12 virtual coaching sessions, 50 minutes each, held every two weeks.
- Support in identifying and working toward your personal leadership goals.
- A structured, focused approach to leadership development, customized to your specific needs and challenges.
Eligibility
This program is open to all staff members in the Division of Student Affairs who are eager to advance their leadership skills and make an impact within their departments.
Department Funding
Please note that the Division will not cover the cost of this coaching program. Instead, your department must agree to fund your participation. Make sure to discuss this opportunity with your supervisor before applying.
Application Process
- Interested staff members are invited to submit an application by February 21.
- All applications will undergo a review process, and selected participants will be notified.
- Those selected will begin their coaching engagement in February 2025.
How to Apply
Complete the DSA Leadership Coaching Opportunity Application. In your application, be sure to outline your leadership goals, explain how coaching will support your development, and confirm your department’s willingness to fund this opportunity.
Want to learn more? Consider attending one of our Zoom information sessions:
Why Leadership Coaching?
Leadership coaching is a powerful tool for:
- Enhancing self-awareness and emotional intelligence.
- Developing core leadership skills such as communication, decision-making, and team building.
- Identifying and overcoming challenges that may be hindering your professional growth.
- Building resilience and adaptability in a dynamic work environment.
Timeline
- Application Deadline: Febraury 21, 2025
- Program Start Date: February 2025
- Duration: 6 months (12 sessions)