Breakout Sessions

Topical Focus: Navigating the Process to Advance

McGuireWoods Consulting and Higher Education
Presenters: Laura Novey and Fran Bradford, Senior Vice Presidents of Government Relations

This session features two former Virginia Secretaries of Education, both of whom worked for an institution (or two), an administration and now MWC. Fran also spent 13 years at SCHEV. Come hear about their experiences in Virginia higher education and how that informs their work at MWC on behalf of their education and other sector clients, as well as the Growth4VA campaign. And learn about how such services could benefit your institution or organization.

Silver Sponsor

Topical Focus: Flexibility in the Workplace

The blurred lines between work and life in an increasingly virtual world: A collaborative effort of resources on how to handle it

Presenters: Veronica van Montfrans, Associate Director TBMH Graduate Program, Virginia Tech; Becky Langford, TBMH Graduate Program Coordinator, Virginia Tech; MacKenzie Tyree, TBMH Graduate Program Coordinator, Virginia Tech

In this session, we will discuss and solicit experience from the audience on how we all have been able leverage the latest advancements in technology to still have a highly engaged and collaborative hybrid office environment. You will leave with a plan on how to 1) assess the work-life needs of your work environment, 2) a list of possibilities to implement that may fit with your organization, as well as a network of women who have made it work.

Topical Focus: Work/Life Balance

Lifting the Disruption Cloud- Design Thinking Strategies for Self-care, Professional Development and Personal Growth

Presenters: Holly Leeann Cline, Department Chair, Radford University; Margaret Konkel, Associate Professor, MFA in Design Thinking, Radford University

How might we face disruption with clarity and creativity? In this session, participants will be introduced to two design thinking methods with the aim of engaging our imaginations to inspire growth and emergence from the chaos of the pandemic. First, session participants will complete a series of design methods to discover priorities related to self-care, professional advancement, and personal growth. A follow-on technique and discussion will explore how obstacles might prevent those priorities from being realized.

Topical Focus: Work/Life Balance

Preventing “Work Creep:” Mapping a Plan for Work/Life Harmony

Presenters: Dr. Ramona Kirsch, Director International Programs, Hollins University; Patty O'Toole, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, Hollins University

Presentation and Work Life Balance Workbook and Worksheet

With the shifting sands of the world pandemic, have you found yourself to be part of that increasing trend of “work creep” - the need or expectation to be always on? The presenters of this session have worked for decades in higher education roles that have required them to be on 24/7. Participants will hear concrete ideas, have opportunities to reflect, and be provided with an operational template to create their own individual work/life harmony plan.

Topical Focus: Breaking Through Feeling Stuck in Roles

Change your Inner Dialog to Change your Opportunities
Presenters: Terry Rice Hinders, Director of Academic Administration, Christopher Newport University; Dr. Lesa Hanlin, Director of Strategic Initiatives, University of Virginia School of Continuing and Professional Studies

Presentation and Handout

Cognitive distortions are ways the mind convinces us of something that isn’t really true. These thoughts are used to reinforce negative self-talk. Research shows that your self-talk has a direct bearing on your success and happiness. Why are cognitive distortions so powerful? Can they be good? What are some cognitive distortions and how can they be overcome so that you can change your opportunities? Join us to discover how to get out of your own way in this interactive session.

Topical Focus: Identifying one's KSAs (Or Taking Stock of One's Professional and Personal Inventory)

Reframing and Investing in your Leadership Journey: Women Leaders Speak about their Experiences as ACE Fellows
Presenters: Erin Webster Garrett, PhD, Assistant Vice Provost for Relevant, Experiential and Applied Learning, Virginia Commonwealth University (Facilitator); Monica Cowart, PhD, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Lebanon Valley College; Lori Messinger, Ph.D., MA, MSW, Dean, College of Social Work, University of Tennessee, Knoxville; Gabriella Rivera, PhD Candidate, Management and Organization, Pennsylvania State University; Michelle Curtain Steward, EdD, President, Institute for Clinical Social Work

Women leaders have to juggle many factors when choosing to invest in their career journeys. Come hear the stories of several leaders who made the decision to dedicate a year to the ACE Fellows program, and how the experience launched new phases of their personal and professional journeys to make a difference.

Breakout Session D Options (11:20 am - 12:00 pm)

Topical Focus: Mental Health Self-Check Ins; Languishing; Seeking Support

Take Off Your Cape: Even Wonder Woman Needed a Little Self-Care

Presenters: Bernadette Battle, Associate Dean, Advising Services, Reynold's Community College and Loftan Hooker, Coordinator, Library Services, Reynold's Community College

In a world where self-care on social media is reduced to manicures, it can be difficult to advocate for something more substantial as a professional woman. Finding a healthy balance and setting clear boundaries is more important than ever in the workplace. Self-care isn’t just a hashtag - it’s a lifeline and a necessary, intentional behavior to demonstrate to our colleagues. Join us for some realistic ideas for how to advocate for your healthiest self and lead by example!!

Gold Sponsor

Table Sponsor

Breakout Session C Options (10:40 am - 11:10 am)

Topical Focus: Recognizing and Combating Tension and Stress

Self-Compassion As a Form of Self-Care

Presenter: Ernestine Duncan, Faculty Ombudsperson, Norfolk State University

Presentation

The pandemic exacerbated an already alarming incidence of stress in the academy. As it often happens, the burden of stress seems to be heavier on female members of the university community. Increasing attention has been given to the importance of work-life balance for female leaders and professionals. This workshop will explore what self-care actually means and how we go about accomplishing self-care. Participants will complete individualized stress assessments and develop a tailored self-care plan with accountability for maintenance. Practical stress managements tips with a focus on self-compassion will empower participants to improve their coping strategies.

Topical Focus: Avoiding or Combating Burnout

Creativity and Community – The Ultimate Anti-Burnout Tools
Presenter: Edna Renee Macbeth, Senior Advisor, Virginia Commonwealth University

Presentation and Handout

You are a creative. You have a community. Those truths are key in managing your wellness in unwell times. Using insights from The Artist’s Way, The Artist’s Way at Work, and Burnout in this interactive session attendees will consider and activate your community of care AND explore some creativity exploration to manage stress and improve wellness. Attendees will leave with tools to begin to identify/explore their community of care, explore their own creativity, and consider their own wellness.

Bronze Sponsors

Topical Focus: Recognizing and Combating Tension and Stress

LEGO Mindfulness: Play for Creativity, Focus, and Centering

Presenter: Jenny Call, Wellness Professional, William & Mary

Take a play break! Journey back to childhood through the creative fun of LEGO. In this hands-on session, participants will be guided through mindfulness practices using LEGO bricks as the building blocks for stress relief, centering, and focus. LEGO Mindfulness, combining mindfulness practices and creative play, has been demonstrated to be an effective wellness program for students, and professionals are invited to join in the fun and discover new a self-care practice that promotes creative thinking, inspiration, and work/life harmony.

Leveling Up. Reinforcing Your Professional and Personal Toolkit.

Breakout Session B Options (9:50 am - 10:30 am)

We extend our gratitude to our generous conference sponsors:

Breakout Session E Options (1:55 pm -2:35 pm)

June 10, 2022 Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, Roanoke, VA

Venue Sponsor

2022 Virginia Network Annual State Conference Breakout Sessions

Topical Focus: Recognizing and Combating Tension and Stress

LEGO Mindfulness: Play for Creativity, Focus, and Centering

Stay connected:

2022 Virginia Network Annual State Conference

Breakout Session A Options (9:00 am - 9:40 am)

To learn more about these sponsors, please click on their logos.

Topical Focus: Selecting and Working With a Mentor or Sponsor (Do’s & Don’ts)

Mentoring Female Colleagues

Presenters: Michelle Lange, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Senior Lecturer, Christopher Newport University; Mary Kanani, Assistant Director of Institutional Research, Christopher Newport University

Gender gaps in representation, pay, and leadership positions are well-documented within academia. This session will discuss ways to seek out and provide mentorship to female colleagues, and will include considerations for outreach to women from minority groups. We will discuss formal channels, such as the Collegiate Women's Network, and informal networking strategies such as developing 1:1 relationships locally and via social media.

Topical Focus: Mental Health Self-Check Ins; Languishing; Seeking Support

Teaching Resilience: Advancing Strategies to Enhance the Impact of Education and Professional Practice

Presenter: Mary Clay Thomas, Program Director and Associate Professor of Social Work, Mary Baldwin University

In both academia and helping professions, resilience has emerged as a necessary component to thrive in a workplace that presents emotionally rigorous and high-pressure demands. Resilience is the study of capabilities, processes, or outcomes denoted by positive adaptation in the context of risk or adversity. Educators provide pivotal opportunities for students to learn the practices of self-care, reflective practice, and empathy. Teaching students the components of perseverance and the skills needed to build resilience is vital for student success. This talk seeks to answer these questions: What are best practices for teaching resilience and how can educators most effectively integrate resilience into academic programs?

Topical Focus: Work/Life Balance

Building Resilience: “Real” Ways to Thrive During Tough Times

Presenters: Nell DeVito, Director, Office of Personal and Professional Development. Mary Baldwin University

Connect with others in an interactive session and gain a highly effective leadership tool relating to resilience building for creating flourishing communities and divisions that you can learn and start using in less than 15 minutes. We are all resilient to varying degrees, yet everyone can become even more resilient. By the end of the session you'll have the knowledge and tools to significantly impact your success as a leader and the engagement and productivity of the people you lead.

Topical Focus: Navigating the Process to Advance

Leveling Up- Putting a Personal Board of Directors in Your Professional Toolkit

Presenter: Anita Navarro, Chief of Staff, VCU School of Medicine

A personal board of directors brings together one’s mentors, role models, champions and advisors to serve a person as to grow personally and professionally in one’s career and accompanying leadership and life roles. It can be a source of resilience for a leader, help reveal and pursue passions and integrate and advance leadership roles in one’s work life. Come to this session to start putting your board together as a critical tool in your professional toolkit!

Topical Focus: Avoiding or Combating Burnout

Advancing Forward: Exercising Self-Care in a Post-Pandemic World

Presenter: Marilyn Herbert-Ashton, Vice President, Institutional Advancement and Dean of Nursing, Virginia Western Community College

Leaders must ponder and act on lessons learned from the pandemic, particularly in making the practice of self-care a priority. The top concern among college presidents surveyed throughout the pandemic, was campus mental health. As we move forward, self-care centered on wellness and creating a culture of care remains a top priority. In this session lessons learned and strategies in exercising holistic self-care will be shared.

Topical Focus: Identifying one's KSAs (Or Taking Stock of One's Professional and Personal Inventory)

Becoming the Architect of Your Career
Presenters: Connie Gores, Ph.D., Partner and Executive Coach, The Success Associates; Kathryn Jordan, Ph.D., Partner and Executive Coach, The Success Associates

Presentation

In this interactive session, you will learn how to identify the leadership skills you already have developed and then consider other skills you will need to move forward. After an overview of the Leadership Architect Card Sort, there will be a brief demonstration of the assessment, and comments by someone who has used the tool to identify strengths and determine next steps on her leadership journey.

Dr. Kathryn Jordan and Dr. Connie Gores (Emerita, Virginia Network Board) of the Success Associates assist other women in finding career and personal satisfaction.

Topical Focus: Navigating the Process to Advance

Yes, You are Worth It - Make the Ask!

Presenters: Jennifer Latour, Vice President for Finance & Planning/CFO and Ashleigh Andrews, Assistant Vice President for Finance & Planning, Christopher Newport University

Negotiating salary is difficult, and even more difficult for women – as evident in the gender pay gap. This session will highlight how to research salary levels, emphasize your accomplishments, and find the confidence to be your best advocate.

Topical Focus: Navigating the Process to Advance

Leveraging Professional Equity to Level-Up Your Career

Presenter: Dr. Karen Hills Pruden, Chief Human Resource Officer, Norfolk State University

The past two years have given many of us time to reflect on what is truly important in our lives and careers. For those that want to advance in their careers or try something new, it can be a daunting and stressful transition. This does not mean that you shouldn't jump in "feet first". This session will discuss techniques and actions to use when an "out-of-the-box" opportunity to possibly advance presents itself. We will discuss how to pivot, how to overcome knowledge gaps, and determine who to depend on to help you succeed. In addition, a focused discussion on the importance of building trust and respect from your team will be conducted. In particular, a discussion of strategies on how to address those on your team who have more knowledge of your area or believe they should be in your position will be covered. Participants should leave this session with the tools and confidence to tackle some of these uncomfortable situations and know they can succeed. This session will encourage audience participation and interaction.