Schedule

Feeling connected — to our friends, our colleagues, and our communities — is one of the most powerful predictors of our health, happiness, and success. 

Even though we are hard-wired for connection, so much can get in the way of strong, healthy relationships: distance, technology, the busy-ness of life, and, most of all, the misconceptions we have about what it takes to build authentic friendships and connections. 

In her thought-provoking signature keynote, Dr. Miriam unpacks the science of friendship and connection to help people build relationships that can inform and transform their lives.  

Discover the key practices, skills, and mindset shifts that improve connectivity, reduce feelings of loneliness, fortify our personal and collective well-being, and bridge the connection divide. 

Through sharing her professional insights and personal experiences, Dr. Miriam helps us to re-calibrate the way we think about, prioritize, and invest in creating the friendships and connections that count, and ultimately add up to a full and fulfilling life. 

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! 

Despite limited capacity and resources, how can staff foster a culture of sustainability in their offices or labs? In this panel session, sustainability champions across campus will discuss the successes and challenges they face in building a more sustainable campus. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and brainstorm solutions collaboratively. 

Through the use of real examples, we'll show you how to transform content and processes from having accessibility and usability issues into work that includes audiences with disabilities. We'll talk web and social media, and offer some technical know-how to remediate content. 

TBD

The workshop will introduce the concept of resilience by defining personal resilience and encouraging participants to reflect on the University of Waterloo Values and the future of work. Participants will be sub-divided into groups with a set of LEGO bricks that will be used to co-create an elephant that will then be subject to changing conditions.

This session will explore findings from a recent survey conducted by the Student Success Office (SSO) which identified key barriers to undergraduate student success. Presenters will position these findings in the context of Early Alert, a student success practice which involves proactively identifying and connecting with students facing academic, social, or personal challenges, designed to enhance student engagement, support, and overall student well-being. 

​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. 

Navigating systemic challenges in the workplace can be uniquely complex for racialized employees. This workshop provides an empowering and supportive space to explore strategies for maintaining well-being and agency. Participants will learn practical approaches such as setting healthy boundaries, seeking social support, and strategic withdrawal—a proactive leadership tool for sustaining productivity and protecting mental and emotional health

This presentation will provide an overview of the essential tools and strategies for effective teamwork using the Microsoft 365 tools. Focusing on practical tips for using MS Teams, OneDrive, Outlook and other applications to help you efficiently and effectively collaborate with others.

Most work and education settings have been designed by neurotypical people, for neurotypical people, yet an estimated 15-20% of Canadians identify as neurodivergent. In this workshop we will highlight the lived experience of neurodivergence as we describe 5 important concepts and focus on simple ways in which we can make our work environment more inclusive.  

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.

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.

Navigating systemic challenges in the workplace can be uniquely complex for racialized employees. This workshop provides an empowering and supportive space to explore strategies for maintaining well-being and agency. Participants will learn practical approaches such as setting healthy boundaries, seeking social support, and strategic withdrawal—a proactive leadership tool for sustaining productivity and protecting mental and emotional health

Most work and education settings have been designed by neurotypical people, for neurotypical people, yet an estimated 15-20% of Canadians identify as neurodivergent. In this workshop we will highlight the lived experience of neurodivergence as we describe 5 important concepts and focus on simple ways in which we can make our work environment more inclusive.  

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. 

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. 

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!

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!