session

Tuesday, April 7, 2026 11:00 am - 12:00 pm EDT (GMT -04:00)

From “What’s the Strategy” to “What Are We Choosing”

Strategy is not a vision statement or project list. It is a set of deliberate choices that guide what we prioritize, what we stop, and how we execute.

This session builds a shared, practical definition of strategy, then translates it into everyday decision-making. We draw on Roger Martin's Play to Win (connected choices, capabilities, management systems), Michael Porter (tradeoffs, focus, what NOT to do), and a brief Blue Ocean lens for value innovation.

Angela Pause shows how these ideas appear in Advancement, including why choosing what we fundraise for is strategic and how "Why Waterloo?" creates alignment. Leilei Li presents the Engineering Advancement MarComm lens: how strategy becomes message discipline, channel choices, sequencing, and consistent storytelling that keeps teams aligned.

Tuesday, April 7, 2026 11:00 am - 12:00 pm EDT (GMT -04:00)

Creating Better Surveys at UWaterloo

The Statistical Consulting and Survey Research Unit can be used as a service for staff and faculty to elevate their work, inform strategic planning, and tell their stories via survey data. This workshop will review the SCSRU’s services, how non-academic surveys are conducted at UWaterloo, policy 55, and related procedures. The SCSRU aims to support the effective collection and use of high-quality data and to ensure that everyone on campus understands survey design best practices. We’ll review common issues in survey questions and discuss strategies for improving them. This workshop will also discuss best strategies for detecting, preventing, and cleaning fraudulent data and bot attacks. Finally, this workshop will introduce opportunities for staff to participate in ongoing SCSRU projects and partnerships (i.e., the SES, LITE grants, etc.). Participants will take part in an interactive survey-writing activity, crafting questions and discussing them together as a group.

This session aims to reaffirm that staff are not alone in addressing the increasing rise in discrimination, harassment, violence and inaccessibility experienced by the most marginalized in our communities. In this session you will meet the Education Specialist working in CSA who will map our rights, roles, and responsibilities, and inform you of the resources the unit provides, ensuring you leave with referral contacts. There will be ample time for Q & A. And you will have an opportunity to inform their developing strategic education plan! 

Wednesday, April 9, 2025 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm EDT (GMT -04:00)

Closing Keynote - Dane Jensen: The Pressure Equation

Headshot of Dane Jensen

How we navigate periods of intense pressure has a huge impact on the trajectory of our lives. It impacts how successful we are in our careers, how much we enjoy the journey, and how much regret we carry. Drawing insights from his book, The Power of Pressure: Why Pressure Isn’t the Problem, It’s the Solution, Dane Jensen’s keynote introduces three powerful strategies for using pressure as an advantage. You will hear unforgettable stories of pressure, learn practical skills for performing in peak moments and over the long haul, and come away with renewed energy for tackling the biggest sources of pressure in their lives. 

Wednesday, April 9, 2025 9:00 am - 10:00 am EDT (GMT -04:00)

​​Strategic Planning for Your Work Goals​

In this presentation, you will learn about the building blocks that go into creating a strategic plan. You will also gain hands-on experience navigating these tools by using provided templates to map out your plans to reach your desired goals.

Wednesday, April 9, 2025 9:00 am - 10:00 am EDT (GMT -04:00)

Innovating with AI on Campus

Join us for a hands-on workshop where you will develop a foundational understanding of the cutting-edge technologies that drive Generative AI (GenAI) tools. Through practical exercises, you will explore the common risks and challenges associated with their use and acquire the essential skills to confidently navigate and utilize today's GenAI tools in your day-to-day work.

Tuesday, April 8, 2025 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm EDT (GMT -04:00)

​​Developing Your Career at Waterloo: Meet Your New Advisor!​

​Join this engaging and informative session with Sarah Lewis, your new Employee Career Advisor and Learning Specialist (ECALS) at the University of Waterloo. In this workshop, we will explore how to leverage Waterloo's values to inspire our career development, especially in these uncertain times when innovative thinking is essential. 

Wednesday, April 9, 2025 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm EDT (GMT -04:00)

Unlocking Your Potential: Getting More Involved at UW

Ready to make a difference and connect with the vibrant UW community? There are countless ways to get involved on campus: serving on committees, supporting large-scale events, getting funding for a project through the Staff Excellence Fund, participating in a community of practice, running for seats on UW and UWSA governing bodies, and more!

Wednesday, April 9, 2025 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm EDT (GMT -04:00)

​​​​The Library is for you too: Resources for work and fun​

Sometimes thought of as a resource mainly for students and faculty, the Library’s resources are available to all staff. Resources like electronic newspapers, research journals and trade publications can be helpful for staff doing research in their day-to-day work. 

The University of Waterloo's Learning Innovation and Teaching Enhancement (LITE) Seed Grants support small-scale teaching and learning investigations or activities aimed at developing instructional skills. These grants fund projects that explore innovative approaches to enhancing teaching and fostering deep student learning at Waterloo.