Staff Development & Resources

The Division of Student Affairs will offer Restorative Practice Training on the following dates:

• January 11–14, 2027 (1-5 p.m.) - January training registration

This 16-hour, in-person training, delivered over four consecutive days, is designed to equip DSA leaders with the knowledge and skills to embed a restorative philosophy and practices within their departments. Through interactive sessions, participants will explore foundational restorative justice principles, including connectedness, peace, authenticity, accountability, healing and inclusion, and learn to design and facilitate Tier 1 restorative circles, apply trauma-responsive practices and foster a culture of community and belonging.

In Collaboration with the Faculty/Staff Assistance Program

A monthly, 30-minute virtual Lunch & Learn series rooted in the university’s decades of experience in wellness and resilience. Topics range from managing stress and navigating change to fostering inclusive workplaces. Grounded in best practices and complete confidentiality, this series invites staff to learn practical, time-tested strategies for success.

All sessions are held at noon on Zoom.

• September 10, 2026, Understanding the Lens of Incoming Students (Gen Z): The Experience, Perspective and Opportunities for Support, register
• October 8, 2026, Leveling the Playing Field: Navigating Accommodations at UMD, register
• November 12, 2026, Helping Students in Distress, register
• January 14, 2027, Integrity and Responsible Conduct: Expectations, Policies and Support (Part 2 of 2), register
• February 11, 2027, Beyond the Desk: Cultivating Community in Work and Life, register
• March 11, 2027, Map the Pathway: Transitioning from Graduate Student to Faculty/Staff, register
• April 8, 2027, Stress Awareness Month: Building Resilience One Step at a Time, register
• May 13, 2027, Beyond the Retirement Date: Preparing for Life’s Next Chapter, register

For Full-Time Staff Supervisors

A community of practice for full-time DSA staff who supervise student employees. Participants share effective practices, address common challenges and strengthen skills for managing and supporting student staff.

The FY27 series runs as three connected gatherings across the year. The fall gathering surfaces what supervisors are already doing well, the January half-day session turns that into usable tools, and the spring gathering field tests those tools and shares them across the Division. Register once for all three.

• Gathering #1, Surface: November 5, 2026, 10 a.m., in person, 90 minutes
• Gathering #2, Build: January 7, 2027, noon to 4 p.m., in person, half day
• Gathering #3, Field Test and Publish: March 25, 2027, 1:30 p.m., in person, 90 minutes

Register for the Supervisors of Student Staff Education Series

The DSA Career Mentoring and Networking Program connects staff who want to grow with colleagues who can help them get there. Mentors and mentees apply separately. Pairs are matched on growth area, functional area, and career stage, and then set their own meeting cadence over the course of the year.

The FY27 cycle runs from December 2026 through August 2027. Applications are open in the fall, and two virtual information sessions are offered for anyone who wants to hear how the program works before applying.

Key dates

• Applications open: September 21, 2026
• Information Session #1: October 22, 2026, 10 to 11 a.m., Zoom, register
• Information Session #2: October 27, 2026, 1 to 2 p.m., Zoom, register
• Applications close: November 6, 2026
• Matches announced: early December 2026
• Kickoff working session: December 9, 2026

Apply

• Apply to be a mentor
• Apply to be a mentee

Small, informal groups of staff passionate about self-improvement. Similar to affinity and interest spaces, these groups meet to share knowledge, support one another and build connections. If you want to create one, fill out this DSA Learning Circle Interest Form.

Learning Circle - UMD Peer-to-Peer Coaching Program

Strengthens leadership skills, boosts engagement and fosters a coaching culture through structured, reciprocal coaching experiences. Participants both coach and are coached over three months, using coaching skills (Silence, Inquire, Mirror, Partner, Listen, Encourage) and embodying a coaching mindset (Curious, Open and Non-Judgemental).

Program Expectations 

• Attend a full-day required training on one of the scheduled dates.
• Commit 6–10 hours over 3–6 months to both coaching and being coached.
• Engage in structured, one-on-one sessions focused on growth and leadership.
• Maintain confidentiality and avoid advice-giving.

Upcoming training dates

• October 29, 2026, 9 to 5 p.m., in person, fall coaching registration
• February 25, 2027, 9 to 5 p.m., in person, spring coaching registration

Learning Circle - AI and Productivity: Strategies and Tools for Getting Things Done

Productivity is not about doing more; it is about doing what matters. This workshop looks at the habits, tools, and technology that help staff stay focused and get the right work done, with a practical look at how AI tools can support day-to-day work. Expect demonstrations, real examples from colleagues and time to try things out.

• Fall session: November 5, 2026, 1 p.m., in person, 90 minutes, register
• Spring session: March 9, 2027, 10 a.m., in person, 90 minutes, register

The Enneagram is more than a personality typing system; it’s a powerful tool for self-awareness, personal growth and building stronger relationships. In this session, you’ll explore the nine core Enneagram types, and learn how understanding your type, and the types of others can enhance communication, leadership and collaboration at work.

Whether you’re brand new to Enneagram or curious to learn more, this session will offer practical insights and a human-centered lens on motivation, behavior and connection. Each participant completes an iEQ9 assessment before the session and receives an individual report.

• Fall session: November 3, 2026, 1 p.m., in person, four hours, register
• Spring session: March 29, 2027, 1 p.m., in person, four hours,  register

The DSA Book Club will read Disrupting White Noise: Challenging Beliefs about Race on Campus. Led by volunteer facilitators, these sessions will encourage engagement and shared learning. The club meets in person in May 2027. Sign up for the DSA Book Club.

Join members of the Student Affairs Team and the Admin for a series of professional development sessions throughout the year. Each session will focus on a different topic led by a member of Team Admin, with details and registration information shared in advance. 

Group coaching brings together a small group of staff who meet regularly with a trained coach to work on the challenges they are carrying right now. Unlike a workshop or a training, there is no set curriculum. Each session, members bring a real situation from their work, and the group coaches them through it. Groups are six to eight people, meet monthly for 75 minutes across a semester, and require a commitment to attend all sessions. Participants apply and are placed in a group by role and focus area.

Sign up for the Group Coaching - Pilot

UHR runs the university’s central learning and talent development programs, from onboarding through supervisor certification. Highlights for staff:

• English Language Learning Program (EnGen):  EnGen is a virtual English Language learning platform developed by a UMD alumnus. The goal of the EnGen program is to improve inclusion and cross-campus access for community members who are not native speakers by offering them the personalized language support they need. For more information and/or access, visit the AMP/EnGen site and/or email help@getengen.com. 
• Excellence in Supervision. A free, two-level certificate program for anyone who supervises faculty, staff, or students. Foundations take 5.5 hours, and Intermediate takes 7.5 hours, delivered mostly in person with some virtual sections and optional coaching. Required for staff promoted into or hired into a supervisory role as of February 1, 2025, and recommended for everyone in a supervisory role.
• HR Growth Series and Power Hours. Topical sessions on performance reviews, workplace tools, wellness and climate.
• Developmental eLearnings. Self-paced modules, including the performance review process and workplace safety.

EnGen - English Language Learning  | Learn & Grow  |  Learning Opportunities  |  Supervisor Hub  |  Excellence in Supervision

CLOC partners with units across campus on leadership development, coaching and organizational change. Highlights for staff:

• Thrive Thursday. Free 90-minute interactive sessions that build skills and improve the experience of work. Open to everyone at UMD.
• Sharpen My Saw. Skill-building sessions for leaders and supervisors.
• CliftonStrengths. Individual and team assessments and workshops at several levels. Cost-based.
• Walk the Walk. A leadership experience for staff ready to take on more.
• Coaching. Individual, paired and 360 coaching, available to faculty and exempt staff.
• Change management. A series of workshops and consultations for units going through transition.

CLOC programs  |  Thrive Thursday  |  Sharpen My Saw  |  CliftonStrengths

Free to everyone at UMD. Thousands of on-demand courses on software, management, communication, writing, and career skills, available whenever you have time. Get started with LinkedIn Learning.

USM offers system-wide virtual workshops and conferences at no cost to all USM faculty and staff. The mini development conferences run through the year, and Professional Development Week includes a track built for administrative professionals. USM Learning and Talent.

ODI offers the TerrapinStrong onboarding experience along with a catalog of training and education sessions open to all staff. ODI training and education.