RSVP to sign up for any of the following sessions through the link in the title or description.  We will then email you a Zoom link for online sessions.

Accessibility modification request? Contact Jasmine Laine

Follow OOLD's LinkedIn page for more information on upcoming sessions and opportunities. 

Simple Graphic Design with Canva: For Busy People

Do you need to create graphics for your website or social media? Canva provides a free and user-friendly option to make images that fit your needs. To help you get started, spend just a few minutes each day from September 11 - 22, to watch a quick LinkedIn Learning video that covers basic graphic design tips and insights on how to get started with Canva. Finally, this series finishes up with some other creative ways you can utilize Canva at work. 

ERM Essentials: Proactive Approaches for Identifying, Assessing, and Mitigating Enterprise Risks

Wednesday, September 20, 1-2 p.m., via Zoom

Tailored to the UM affiliation's context, this workshop covers fundamental Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) concepts, providing practical techniques for understanding and managing uncertainties that could affect your work areas. Collaborate with colleagues to identify potential operational, technological, or compliance issues related to your work, assess their potential impacts, and create plans to mitigate those impacts. Led by Anta Coulibaly, Director, Internal Audit and Enterprise Risk.

EO/Title IX Mandatory Reporter Training

Monday, September 25, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m., Todd 210

Monday, October 9, 1:30 - 2:30 p.m., Todd 204

Tuesday, November 7, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m., UC 327

As a UM employee, you are a mandatory reporter of sex-based harm, including discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual harassment, sexual assault, stalking, dating and domestic violence, and sexual exploitation. To ensure you understand your responsibility, the Equal Opportunity Office offers this training on how to identify, respond to, and report such conduct. This session will help you prepare to respond effectively to reports of sexual misconduct and understand guidelines around confidentiality. Attending this training is encouraged for all UM employees.

Igniting Creativity 

Wednesday, September 27, 2-3 p.m., room Ed 123 

As our UM brand describes, “At UM, we approach everything with creativity because that’s what this evolving world needs..."  Led by Professor Jeb Puryear, Teaching and Learning, this session will explore the nature of creative processes, debunking common creativity myths, and explaining what the research teaches us about creativity. It will inspire you to explore your own creative potential and provide tools and ideas to infuse creativity into your work.

Navigating AI in the Classroom: Faculty Conversations 

Wednesday, Sept 27, 3-4 p.m., Ed 123 

Wednesday, Oct 18, 2-3 p.m., Ed 123 

Wednesday, Nov 15, 2-3 p.m., Ed 123 

These collaborative sessions provide a space for faculty members to discuss the practical implications of AI in their classes. Through dialogue and shared problem-solving, participants will collectively explore their experiences--what's working well, common challenges, and strategies related to AI technology’s impact on teaching. 

Tenure and Promotion 

Thursday, September 28, 2-3 p.m., Todd 203 

Representatives from the Office of the Provost and the Deans’ Offices of the College of Humanities & Sciences and the College of Health will discuss the Individual Performance Record (IPR), evaluation procedures, and expectations for promotion and tenure. This will be particularly helpful to those just starting their faculty careers.

Generative AI in the Workplace: For Busy People 

Looking to learn more about how generative AI can support your work? This series provides creative strategies to integrate ChatGPT and other AI programs into your workflow, as well as information about how it works and its limitations. To get started, register to receive a daily email with a brief LinkedIn Learning video or two, from October 2 – 27. 

Mastering Pivot Tables 

Wednesday, October 4, 1-2 p.m., Todd 210 

Wednesday, October 18, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Todd 210

Gain understanding of what pivot tables are, how they work, and the benefits they offer in data analysis. Learn how to create pivot tables and customize them to suit your specific analytical needs through practical examples. Cindy Johnson, Budget Director, Office of Planning, Budgeting, and Analysis, and Alicia Houghtaling, Associate Director of Budget and Data, Office of the Provost, will guide you through the fundamentals of pivot tables and empower you to transform raw data into meaningful insights.

Exploring the Hidden Curriculum 

Wednesday, October 4, 3-4 p.m., Ed 123 

Explore how to create inclusive and supportive learning environments by uncovering the implicit messages and unspoken lessons embedded within the educational system. By the end of the session, participants will have gained a deepened awareness of the hidden curriculum and its impact on students' success. Led by Charity Atteberry from the School of Law and Ben Hamman from the Department of Public Administration & Policy, this session will leave you equipped with practical strategies to critically analyze and consciously address the hidden curriculum in their classrooms, schools, and educational institutions. 

Proactive Performance Management: Manager Essentials

Thursday, October 5, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., UC 225 

This session will prepare you to set clear performance expectations, provide effective coaching and feedback, and participate effectively in performance management processes, including annual performance reviews. Understand how to motivate and reward high performing employees, as well as respond appropriately to address poor performance and unacceptable behavior. 

Presenter: Shawn Blair, Director of Labor Relations, Human Resource Services

Preparing to Apply for Sabbatical 

Thursday, October 5, 2-3 p.m., via Zoom 

This session offers guidance on preparing a sabbatical application. Learn about the proposal review process and the sabbatical proposal evaluation rubric. Representatives from the Office of the Provost and the Sabbatical Review Committee will be available to answer your questions. More information about the process is available on the Sabbatical Assignment website.   

Indigenous Mentoring Program 

Friday, October 6, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m., UC 225 and via Zoom 

Friday, October 13, 1:00 - 3:30 p.m., UC 225 and via Zoom 

Jennifer Harrington, Native American Natural Resource Program Director, W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation; and Maegan Rides At The Door, Executive Director, National Native Children's Trauma Center, will lead a two-part workshop series for faculty, graduate students, administrators and staff who currently mentor, or who are interested in mentoring, American Indian/Alaska Native students. Attendees will engage in facilitated sessions with a number of presenters and panelists who will share knowledge about:  

• cultural humility, 
• Indigenous research methodologies and methods, 
• how bystanders can interrupt acts of bias 
• establishing and sustaining healthy mentor-mentee relationships,  
• Indigenous mentoring practices

Please register in advance. As this is a two-part workshop series, we highly encourage attending both sessions. We recommend in-person participation for those who can make it; contact jasminezink.laine@mso.umt.edu to request remote participation via Zoom. 

Creating Accessible Documents

Tuesday, October 10, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m., via Zoom

All UM employees must create and maintain documents in a manner than ensures they are accessible, according to state and federal laws as well as UM policy. This overview of accessible document creation will cover basic Word features and tools to create usable and accessible documents, including PDFs.

Laws and Policies that Impact Supervisors: Manager Essentials  

Tuesday, October 17, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Todd 203 

This session will guide you in identifying and effectively applying employment laws and policies that managers are responsible for following, such as ADA, FMLA, harassment and discrimination laws, and more. Learn more about grievance processes and how to identify situations that should be well-documented. This session will address how to approach scenarios commonly faced by managers and identify campus resources, policies, and personnel that are available to support you and protect you from legal claims. *Please note: this session was previously scheduled for Sept. 21 - it has been rescheduled to take place on Oct. 17.

Presenters: Alicia Arant, Associate Vice President of Conflict & Resolution; Shawn Blair, Director of Labor Relations, Human Resource Services

Leveraging AI for Enhanced Efficiency

Thursday, October 19, 1-2 p.m., TODD 203

Discover the possibilities of using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to streamline tasks and boost your productivity. Tanner Dodd, Senior Internal Auditor, will explore concepts related to Generative AI and their practical implications for our work. Consider innovative ways to optimize workflows, allowing more time for high-impact activities. This workshop will provide time for case studies as well as peer discussion about potential opportunities for responsible AI use.  

QPR: Helping Someone Who May be Suicidal 

Tuesday, October 24, 2-3 p.m., UC 225 

Just as people trained in CPR help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicidal crisis and connect people to helping resources. QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer, the three simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. In this training from Missoula County Public Health, you will learn to recognize the warning signs of suicide, know how to offer hope, know how to get help for someone in crisis and connect directly with campus and community resources.

Leadership Reflection: Collaborative Practices for Department Chairs 

Thursday, October 26, 2-3:30 p.m., Innovation Factory (2nd floor UC) 

Through this workshop, Department Chairs will gain practical insights and strategies to enhance their leadership approach regarding decision-making and collaboration within their departments. Led by Professor Michael Rohd, Director of the Co-Lab for Civic Imagination, participants will engage in reflective exercises and group discussions to explore their current practices and gain a deeper understanding of their role in shaping effective decision-making processes and fostering productive collaborations with their peers. 

Strategies for Crafting a Competitive University Grant Program Proposal 

Thursday, October 26, 3 – 4:30 p.m., Thompson Auditorium in the Gilkey Executive Education Building 

Are you seeking funding to support your research, creative, or scholarly pursuits? Funded by the Office of Research and Creative Scholarship, the University Grant Program (UGP) is a highly competitive grant-making program designed to foster innovative research and creative accomplishments at UM. We encourage you to attend this information and strategy session to learn more about the program and how to develop a competitive proposal. This session will give you information about the review process, tips for how to craft an effective proposal, and time to begin workshopping your proposal with guided prompts. Members of the proposal review committee will be on hand to answer any questions.  To learn more about the UGP, reach out to katherine.swan@umontana.edu.

Pursuing Graduate Education--for UM Employees 

Tuesday, October 31, 1-2 p.m., Todd 210

Are you a university employee with aspirations of using the employee tuition waiver to further your education and career? Join us for this session tailored to those considering the pursuit of graduate studies. Ashby Kinch, Dean of the Graduate School and Ke Wu, Associate Dean of the Graduate School, will guide you through the essential considerations of applying to graduate school. Current UM employees will share their experiences balancing graduate work with other responsibilities. From selecting the right program and crafting a compelling application to managing work-life-study balance, this session aims to equip you with the knowledge and advice you need to make informed decisions about your academic future.

Academic Freedom and Free Speech: A Dialogue with Kenneth Stern 

Monday, November 6, 2-3:30 p.m., UC 225 

In collaboration with the Presidential Lecture Series, we are delighted to offer this workshop with Kenneth Stern, Director of the Bard Center for the Study of Hate, to explore the intersections of academic freedom and free speech related to antisemitism and other contemporary issues. Stern will lead participants through case studies that highlight the dilemmas faced by educators in upholding academic freedom while navigating important and contentious subjects. 

Faculty Mentor Development Program and NIH-sponsored study

If you are a faculty member formally or informally mentoring another faculty member, you are eligible to participate in this program, run by the University of New Mexico, which can help you become a more skillful mentor. Mentors will take part in a training program over 8 weeks. They will be randomized to either online asynchronous coursework alone (1.5 self-paced hours for each of 8 sessions) or online coursework combined with video synchronous workshops (additional one hour each session). Both mentors and mentees will earn Amazon gift cards for completing surveys to assess outcomes.

Questions can be directed to:

• Akshay Sood, Associate Director, Mentoring Unit of the Professional Development Core, Mountain West Clinical and Translational Research Infrastructure Network (MW CTR-IN)
• Jasmine Laine, Director, Office of Organizational Learning and Development
• Curtis Noonan, Professor, Public and Community Health Science 

Recent Past Sessions

Recruitment and Compensation Strategies: Manager Essentials 

Thursday, September 14, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., UC 225 

This workshop will guide you through potential workforce planning scenarios to share best practices in recruitment, advancing employees, and compensation planning. Learn options available to strategically approach the work of your unit, retain strong employees, and attract new talent. Understand the basic aspects of different employee types, as well as how to utilize the MUS Staff Compensation Plan to meet your unit’s goals. 

Presenters: Marcie Briggs, Director of Recruitment and Compensation, Human Resource Services; Libby Newman, Compensation Manager, Human Resource Services

Neurodiversity Inclusion on Campus

Thursday, September 14, 2 p.m.-3 p.m., Todd 210

Making our classrooms and workspaces inclusive for Neurodivergent learners is critical as they can account for up to 20% of our campus community. This session, led by Professor Jennifer Schoffer Closson, Speech, Language, Hearing, and Occupational Sciences, will develop your understanding of Neurodiversity and provide information on how to make your spaces more inclusive.

The Power of Moments: How to Brand Your Experience 

Tuesday, September 12, 1-2 p.m., Thompson Auditorium in the Gilkey Executive Education Building 

Creating memorable experiences is crucial for the success of any event or program. In this session, participants will explore ways to incorporate branding into events or programs to maximize their impact. Led by Karen Schlatter, Student Experience and Brand Manager; and Emma Dorman, Social Media Manager; UM Marketing, this session will also share tips for leveraging social media strategies to enhance brand visibility and engagement, as well as resources and support available from UM Marketing, empowering you to create unforgettable experiences that leave a lasting impression on attendees. 

Accountability, Authorship, and Writing Assessments in the Age of AI 

Wednesday, September 6, 2-3 p.m., Education 241

AI technologies have led many of us to reflect on how we teach and assess writing. Led by Amy Ratto Parks, Associate Director, Writing and Public Speaking Center, participants will learn strategies to structure and assess writing assignments in ways that draw attention to each student’s personal intellectual engagement with the coursework.

Appropriate Applications of Travel and Entertainment Policies and Procedures

Monday, August 14, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m., via Zoom 

As employees travel and entertain for the University, it is important that all appropriate steps are taken to uphold the policies and procedures of the University and Board of Regents, as well as state law. Bob Hlynosky and Sadie Tabish, Business Services; will help you understand the requirements for travel and entertainment expenses and will review common scenarios that may have implications related to fraud or violation of state laws. This session will be useful for anyone who works with travel and entertainment expense submissions, and wants to ensure they are following procedures correctly.

Helping Student Employees Gain Career Skills 

Tuesday, August 15, 3-4 p.m., UC 225 

Do you want to make sure your student employees are developing valuable career skills, and are able to identify how these skills relate to their career goals? Are you looking for ways to invest in and better retain your student employees? Do you lack the time, resources, and/or background to do this on your own?   

We welcome you to participate in the pilot year of the Griz Career Skills Certificate Program! This program is just one way UM is implementing our mission to integrate career readiness into every student’s curricular and co-curricular experience. Check out our program site to learn more about what the certificate program entails and the benefits of participating.   

Attendees will receive a Supervisor Toolkit including materials to help you implement the program in your department.

Salary Negotiation Workshop

Wednesday, August 2, 10 - 11:30 a.m., TODD 210

This workshop is designed to help you negotiate for a new job, raise, or promotion. Led by Sarah Dobson, Career Advisor, and Angie Thompson, Career Coach, in Experiential Learning & Career Success; learn how to research your target salary, highlight your accomplishments and find the right words— and the confidence— to negotiate for better benefits and pay. In this workshop, you’ll learn:

• How to identify and articulate your personal value
• How to develop an arsenal of persuasive responses and other negotiation strategies, including how to get a raise or promotion
• How to conduct objective market research to benchmark a target salary and benefits
• About the wage gap, including its long-term consequences

Attending this workshop also makes you eligible to become a trainer yourself to help students learn salary negotiation skills and help close the wage gap.

From Gen Z to Baby Boomers – How to Collaborate Across Generations: For Busy People 

The context that different generations grow up in often shapes preferences and workstyles. Spend a few minutes each work day from June 12-23 to watch a quick LinkedIn Learning video to broaden your understanding of generational perspectives as well as harmful stereotypes. Learn more about how to build individual relationships regardless of age differences. 

Summer Teaching Institute 

The UM Summer Teaching Institute will meet in person June 5-8, 2023. Space is limited; apply by May 6. 

Experience one of our most popular teaching offerings! The Mobile Summer Institute on Scientific Teaching (MOSI) will expand and sharpen participants' teaching skills through sessions facilitated by education experts. Participants will have a hands-on experience of the impact of evidence-based teaching approaches such as active learning and inclusive teaching practices, with deliberate and backwards design. This workshop has been identified as a transformative event in the career of many faculty, postdocs, and graduate students. It is open to all faculty, graduate instructors, and postdocs from all disciplines. Participants will be named Scientific Teaching Fellows upon completion of the Institute. Contact Jasmine Laine for more information or to nominate someone. 

Understand and Manage Risks by Using Internal Controls 

Thursday, May 18, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., UC 332/333 

When is the last time you reviewed your office policies and procedures to better mitigate risk and fraud? This session will cover best practices and compliance standards so you can improve accountability and minimize your risk. Led by Ben Froemming and Jolene Crist from the Internal Audit office, this session will help you understand potential concerns and easy things you can do to improve processes and reduce vulnerability in your office. Send any specific questions you would like addressed to Ben Froemming in advance. 

ChatGPT @ UM: A Local Conversation 

Tuesday, May 9, 10-11 a.m., UC 330-331

Join this conversation about writing with AI on UM’s campuses. Representatives from the Writing Center will discuss how to experiment with your writing assignments. Hear from faculty who have incorporated AI tools into their courses. Get insight on how to address ChatGPT/AI with your students and develop course guidelines or policies that fit your course. Bring your questions and suggestions. 

Cognitively-based Compassion Training Program

The group will meet Friday, March 10; Wednesdays March 15 – April 26 via Zoom; and Friday, May 5 (please follow the link to apply to view a more detailed schedule) 

Cognitively-based Compassion Training (CBCT) is a research-based program from Emory University’s Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion-based Ethics. The CBCT program will provide tools to address burnout, empathy fatigue, and diminished wellbeing. CBCT helps participants foster healthy relationships, promote greater degrees of emotional regulation, and establish embodied behaviors related to self-compassion, resilience, kindness, and compassion for others.  

Using reflective exercises, participants will seek critical insights into the way one’s mindsets and attitudes can be shifted to support personal resiliency, to foster an inclusive and more accurate understanding of others, and ultimately to intensify altruistic motivation. Grounding, attention training, security primary, and resourcing are examples of the practices embedded in CBCT that serve to promote compassionate responses.   

Facilitated by CBCT Certified Teacher Dr. Ryder Delaloye, the Associate Director of SEE Learning at Emory University, the program will take place throughout the spring semester. Please register in advance . Past UM participants have said: 

“I learned new grounding techniques and apply them daily. I use them during stressful and non-stressful times, and I feel a more pervasive sense of calm throughout the day." 

“Five minutes of CBCT between meetings is like a breath of fresh air." 

“[CBCT] has helped me filter through all of the information and noise we encounter each day with focus and intention" 

Electrify Your Home Using Tax Incentives 

Tuesday, April 25, 12-1 p.m., via Zoom 

In honor of Earth Month, join Joel Rosenberg from Rewiring America for a Q&A session to learn how homeowners can claim tax incentives from the recent Inflation Reduction Act to help electrify their home. Electrification may come in the form of heat pumps, weatherization, electric stoves, rooftop solar, and more! Please reach out to Tayli Hillyard, Office of Sustainability, to share specific questions you would like answered. 

Break Free from Unsustainable SWAG 

Thursday, April 20, 12-1 p.m., UC 326/327 

Do your outreach t-shirts and water bottles just wind up in the giveaway pile at the end of the year? Sustainable practices are important to our students and UMs new brand emphasizes a commitment to social and environmental responsibility. In this workshop, Tayli Hillyard from the Office of Sustainability and Amanda Wikoff from Marketing and Communications will offer some ideas about how you can harness UM's brand (and some basic environmental ethics) to use more creative and sustainable outreach and recruitment materials, no matter your budget. 

Lunch will be served! Please register in advance and send any dietary restrictions to Tayli Hillyard.

Taking Advantage of Our Employee Tuition Waiver

Wednesday, April 19, 11-12 p.m., Via Zoom

One of the great benefits of working at UM is the opportunity to advance your career and professional goals through lifelong learning. Did you know that permanent employees working at least .75 FTE may have tuition waived for eligible courses and only pay fees to take UM courses? Ann Guiditta from HRS will share details about the process for using the employee tuition waiver. Charity Atteberry, Assistant Dean of Students--Student Success, Blewett School of Law, and Tony Layton, Marketing Operations Manager, will share their experiences using the tuition waiver. For more information, review the faculty/staff tuition waiver website and the dependent tuition waiver website.

Faculty Inquiry Project: Implementing Equity-Minded Teaching and Learning 

This FIP will meet via Zoom six Wednesdays from 2-4 p.m. on the following dates: March 1, March 8, March 29, April 5, April 12, April 19 

This inquiry project addresses equity gaps to meet the needs and learning styles of students from diverse backgrounds and levels of preparation. We will delve deeply into what it means to be equity-minded in higher education while discussing psychosocial factors, culturally responsive practices, implicit bias, and neuroscience all as they pertain to equity. Led by Professor Lauren Fern, the cohort will engage in group discussions, collaborative activities, readings and opportunities to enact changes in your classroom and pedagogy. Please complete the application by 5 p.m. on February 22.

Skillify Your Syllabi: Integrating Career Readiness into Your Course 

Tuesday, April 18, 2-3 p.m., via Zoom 

Research shows that students, their parents, and employers want to see connections between coursework and skills students will use in their careers. These can often be highlighted through simple changes like connecting learning objectives to career competencies that are already a part of the course. In this workshop, representatives from the Experiential Learning and Career Success office will guide you through the process of integrating career competencies in your courses. Bring a syllabus and work on transforming language to identify career skills connected to your learning objectives. 

Funded Opportunities to Partner with Faculty from Another Country

Monday, April 17, 2-3 p.m., via Zoom  

Learn how the University of Montana Virtual Exchange (UMOVE)/COIL methodology can connect part or all of your course with a class in another country for intercultural applied learning.  In this workshop, faculty will learn how to identify an existing course they teach as a good candidate for UMOVE/COIL, learn how to find potential global partners, examine a successful UMOVE/COIL program, and learn how to apply for UMOVE/COIL funding and support. Join Professor Alessia Carpoca (Theatre & Dance), Jeanie Castillo (UM Online), Marja Unkuri-Chaudhry and Donna Anderson (Global Engagement Office) to learn how to bring international exposure to courses taught at UM. Please send any specific questions you have in advance or request more information by contacting Donna Anderson.

Faculty Writing Workshop

Tuesday, April 11, 9-11 a.m., Jour 301 

This writing workshop focuses on challenges specific to faculty writers (adjunct, lecturer, tenure track) and will include independent writing time that allows you to apply new strategies and tips as well as focus on your writing. Facilitated by Associate Director Amy Ratto-Parks, Writing and Public Speaking Center, this session allows you to:

• gain momentum and make tangible progress in your writing
• experience a supportive environment for dedicated writing time
• develop effective writing habits and long-term strategies for productive writing

Note: We are unfortunately not able to accept graduate students in this session, even those who are also instructors. If you are a graduate student, please register instead for the Jump Start Writing Retreat.

Résumé Workshop: Preparing for a UM Career Promotion or Pivot 

Tuesday, April 11, 12-1 p.m., via Zoom 

Are you preparing for a career promotion or pivot? Do you want to transition into a new field or are you looking to grow into your next role at UM? We're ready to help you best describe all the skills you’ve gathered over your UM career so you can get that promotion! Join us for a discussion on how to prepare your résumé and articulate your experience to help advance your career development goals. Cheryl Minnick, Career Success Director, College of Humanities and Sciences and certified career coach, will share advice on how to put together a great résumé and discuss ways to avoid common pitfalls for internal candidates. 

Bring your questions and concerns to the session or you are welcome to anonymously submit them in advance. 

Writing Assessment Workshop 

Friday, March 31, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., UC 220 

The annual UPWA (University-wide Program-level Writing Assessment) workshop is a dynamic, vibrant cross-disciplinary workshop on writing instruction and assessment. 100% of past participants said that their experience was useful for their teaching – and that talking with colleagues was simply enjoyable. Explore the process of reading and responding to student writing as we assess and discuss student papers from the Intermediate Writing Courses. All faculty, staff, and graduate students are invited. A light breakfast, lunch, and snacks will be provided. Contact Amy Ratto Parks with questions at amy.rattoparks@umontana.edu.  

Neurodiversity Inclusion on Campus

Thursday, March 30, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., UC 326-327

Making our classrooms and workspaces inclusive for Neurodiverse learners is critical as they can account for up to 20% of our campus community. This session, led by Professor Jennifer Schoffer Closson, Speech, Language, Hearing, and Occupational Sciences, will develop your understanding of Neurodiversity and provide information on how to make your spaces more inclusive. 

Laws and Policies that Impact Department Chairs

Thursday, March 16, 2-3:30 p.m., Eck Liberal Arts Building room 103B

What employment laws and federal reporting requirements impact department chairs/directors? What provisions of the faculty collective bargaining agreement must you uphold? As an agent of the University, what principles can guide your decision-making and protect you from legal claims? This session will address how to approach scenarios commonly faced by department chairs/directors and identify campus resources, policies and personnel that are available to support you.

Writing competitive broader impacts proposals 

Monday, March 13, 2-3 p.m., UC 207 (Inside the Branch Center)

What makes for a successful broader impacts plan in a National Science Foundation or other grant proposal? Led by Nathalie Wolfram, Director of the Broader Impacts Group, this workshop will teach you about best practices in broader impacts engagement and help you practice developing a strong, concise broader impacts statement. Overall, you will learn how you can collaborate with UM’s Broader Impacts Group from proposal development through program implementation.

Photography Basics—For Busy People 

Whether you’re taking candid shots, landscapes, or portraits, this series shares basic tips and tricks to enhance your photography skills. No fancy camera necessary to participate--phone photography is welcome and encouraged! RSVP to receive a short LinkedIn Learning video on photography basics each work day from March 6-17, 27-31. Register to receive daily email reminders. 

Collaboration Tools for Leaders 

Tuesday, March 14, 2-3 p.m., via Zoom

How we work together determines what and how successfully we can imagine and accomplish together. This workshop focuses on inquiry, listening, and values clarification activities that help you and your team build and deepen ways of working together. Process is the key to equitable, effective collaboration- join Michael Rohd, Director of UM’s new Co-Lab for Civic Imagination and its Collaboration Studio, for this skills-focused exploration of process.

Faculty Writing Workshop

Wednesday, February 22, 9-11 a.m., via Zoom

This writing workshop focuses on challenges specific to faculty writers (adjunct, lecturer, tenure track) and will include independent writing time that allows you to apply new strategies and tips as well as focus on your writing. Facilitated by Associate Director Amy Ratto-Parks, Writing and Public Speaking Center, this session allows you to:

• gain momentum and make tangible progress in your writing
• experience a supportive environment for dedicated writing time
• develop effective writing habits and long-term strategies for productive writing

Note: We are unfortunately not able to accept graduate students in this session, even those who are also instructors. If you are a graduate student, please register instead for the Jump Start Writing Retreat.

Strategies for Engaging Effectively with K-12 Students

Wednesday, February 22, 3-4:30 p.m., UC 225

Led by Jessie Herbert-Meny (spectrUM Discovery Area) and Nathalie Wolfram (Broader Impacts Group), this workshop will prepare UM faculty members, staff, and graduate students to lead K-12 classroom visits that inspire students about higher education and career pathways. Participants will begin developing an interactive activity related to their research or creative scholarship and will practice strategies for effective engagement, including using ice breakers, personal stories, and reflection. This workshop is intended for people from all academic disciplines and professional fields. Participants will have the opportunity to visit K-12 schools this spring through the We Are Montana in the Classroom program.

So You Hired a New Employee: Onboarding—For Busy People 

Getting new hires set up for success from day one is crucial to retain and maintain a positive relationship with the people you manage. Spend just few minutes each work day from February 9-24 to watch a quick LinkedIn Learning video about onboarding and learn how to improve your onboarding process to help your employees feel confident and invested in their new roles. Register to receive daily email reminders.

EO/Title IX Mandatory Reporter Training

Thursday, February 16, 3-4 p.m., via Zoom

As a UM employee, you are a mandatory reporter of sex-based harm, including discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual harassment, sexual assault, stalking, dating and domestic violence, and sexual exploitation. To ensure you understand your responsibility, the Equal Opportunity Office offers this training on how to identify, respond to, and report such conduct. Led by Alicia Arant, Equal Opportunity Director and Title IX Coordinator, the training will help you prepare to respond effectively to reports of sexual misconduct and understand guidelines around confidentiality. Attending this training is encouraged for all UM employees.

Creating Accessible Documents

Wednesday, February 8, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m., via Zoom

All UM employees must create and maintain documents in a manner than ensures they are accessible, according to state and federal laws as well as UM policy. This overview of accessible document creation will cover basic Word features and tools to create usable and accessible documents, including PDFs.

Collaboration Tools for Leaders 

Wednesday, February 8, 2-3 p.m., Innovation Factory (UC 2nd Floor)

How we work together determines what and how successfully we can imagine and accomplish together. This workshop focuses on inquiry, listening, and values clarification activities that help you and your team build and deepen ways of working together. Process is the key to equitable, effective collaboration- join Michael Rohd, Director of UM’s new Co-Lab for Civic Imagination and its Collaboration Studio, for this skills-focused exploration of process.

Faculty Writing Retreat

Tuesday, January 10, 9:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m., Education 123

This one-day writing retreat focuses on challenges specific to faculty writers (adjunct, lecturer, tenure track) and is coupled with independent writing times that allow you to apply new strategies and tips as well as make tangible progress on your writing. The faculty retreat allows you to:

• Gain momentum and make tangible progress in your writing
• Experience a supportive environment for intense, focused writing time
• Develop effective writing habits and long-term strategies for productive writing

If you are a graduate student, please register for the Jump Start writing retreat.

Cognitively-based Compassion Training Program

UM is pleased to offer the CBCT® (cognitively-based compassion training) program from Emory University. CBCT® is a research-based program from Emory University’s Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion-based Ethics. The program provides cognitive and behavioral strategies that help participants promote greater degrees of personal wellbeing and resilience while supporting and expanding altruistic motivation.

In the first part of the program, a sequence of exercises aims at cultivating a more grounded and resilient approach to life’s ups and downs, including core practices for security priming, attention training, and mindful self-awareness. With this strengthened basis for greater mental stability and balance, the course then provides reflective exercises to notice, analyze, and shift inner mindsets and attitudes to foster more inclusive and insightful empathic understanding of others and ultimately to intensify and extend genuine compassion.

CBCT’s targeted outcomes include self-compassion, greater insight into the behaviors of others, and the capacity to sustain a realistic hopefulness in the face of complex or difficult circumstances. According to researchers, strengthening inner skills through CBCT’s methods may contribute to lessening depression and stress and prevent empathic fatigue and burnout.

Facilitated by CBCT Certified Teacher Dr. Ryder Delaloye, the Associate Director of SEE Learning at Emory University, the program will take place throughout the fall semester. Please apply to join by Tuesday, September 20 at 5 p.m.. 

The group will meet during the following times throughout the fall semester: 

• Friday, September 23, 12:30-3:30, ED 241
• Thursdays, 3-4 p.m.., via Zoom, from September 29-November 17
• Friday, December 2, 12:30-3:30, ED 241

Project Management Fundamentals—For Busy People

Project management can be used to guide small, simple projects as well as complex enterprise-wide initiatives. Explore the fundamentals of project management, from establishing project goals and objectives and building a project plan to engaging your stakeholders and managing team performance.

Invest just a few minutes each work day from November 2-22 to watch a quick LinkedIn Learning video and learn about both traditional project management and agile project management techniques. Register to receive daily reminders.

Lowering Textbook Costs: Getting Started with Open Educational Resources (OER)

Wednesday, November 16, 2-3 p.m., via Zoom

In this session, Wendy Walker, Digital Initiatives Librarian, Mansfield Library, will cover the basics of Open Educational Resources (OER) and Hilary Martens, Associate Professor, Geosciences, will describe her experience switching from a commercial textbook to free OER for her course on natural disasters. There will be plenty of time for Q&A and a look at where and how to find OER for your students.

Supporting Student Well-Being with Imbedded Wellness Coordinators 

Wednesday, November 9, 12-1 p.m., via Zoom 

You may be noticing your students are disengaged or struggling. UM is offering a new pilot program to imbed well-being support coordinators across campus to support you and your department. Facilitated by Amy Capolupo, Director, Office for Disability Equity, and Kayli Julius, Wellness Director, Curry Health Center, this session will help you learn more about this and other campus resources that are available to help you to support student mental health and well-being.  

Fall Writing Symposium: Teaching Students to Write Introductions and Conclusions

Friday, November 4, 12-1:30 p.m., Aber Hall, 425

Powerful introductions and conclusions help writers showcase their research and reasoning, but instructors often struggle to offer guidance on how to turn an OK intro into an excellent one. Participants will leave with concrete examples, sources, and ideas for their own classes.

Supported by the Writing & Public Speaking Center, and the Office of the Provost, the ASCRC Writing Symposium is an annual event designed to support writing instruction across the curriculum at UM.

Skillify Your Syllabi: Integrating Career Readiness into Your Course 

Thursday, November 3, 2-3 p.m., via Zoom 

Research shows that students, their parents, and employers want to see connections between coursework and skills students will use in their careers. These connections can often be highlighted through simple changes like connecting learning objectives to career competencies that are already a part of the course. In this workshop, representatives from the Experiential Learning and Career Success office will guide you through the process of integrating career competencies in your courses. Bring a syllabus and work on transforming language to surface career skills connected to your learning objectives. 

QPR: Helping Someone Who May be Suicidal

Tuesday, November 1, 10-11 a.m., via Zoom

Just as people trained in CPR help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicidal crisis and connect people to helping resources. QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer, the 3 simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. In this training from Tamarack Grief Resource Center, supported by Missoula County Public Health, you will learn to recognize the warning signs of suicide, know how to offer hope, know how to get help for someone in crisis and connect directly with campus and community resources.

Hosting a pre-college summer program at UM

Tuesday, October 25, 2-3 p.m., Todd 203

Pre-college is an educational experience that helps middle and high school students prepare for the transition to a college environment. Students take classes and experience college life during their time on campus. If you are interested in hosting a pre-college summer program or want to expand your existing program, UM Summer can help! Join UM Summer and guests from Conference and Event Services and Risk Management as we walk you through our guide on “How to Run a Pre-college Program at UM.” There will be plenty of time for discussion, collaboration, and questions.

Up Your Sustainability Game

Thursday, October 20, 12-1 p.m., UC 326-27

What happens to UM’s used electronics when we ‘throw them away?’ How exactly IS sustainability being considered in all the new construction on campus? How does enrollment impact our carbon footprint? If UM were to cover the Oval in solar panels, how far would it get us toward zero emissions?

If any of those questions interest you, join the Office of Sustainability for our first ever team sustainability trivia lunch hour. Too often, learning about our environmental impact and more sustainable options feels defeating. We’re making it fun this time and even awarding the winning team with some sweet prizes! Grab a colleague (or two…maybe your whole office?) and join us for this lunch trivia session to learn more about sustainability on campus and in the community. Space is limited and registration is required.

Creating Accessible Documents

Wednesday, October 19, 2-3 p.m., via Zoom

All UM employees must create and maintain documents in a manner that ensures they are accessible, according to state and federal laws as well as UM policy. This overview of accessible document creation will cover basic Word features and tools to create usable and accessible documents, including PDFs

Understanding the Faculty Evaluation Process on Submittable: FOR REVIEWERS

Tuesday, October 18, 2-3 p.m., via Zoom

Intended for those who are in a reviewer position in the Faculty Evaluation process, including FEC chairs and members, department chairs/directors, and deans. This session will demonstrate the process in Submittable from the reviewer’s perspective, including logging in, accessing IPRs for review, and working with your unit Faculty Evaluation Manager to complete your stage of the evaluation process. Claudine Cellier and Tom McClintock from the Office of the Provost will lead you step by step through the process and answer your questions.

UM Allies training

Tuesday, October 18, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., UC 332-33

LGBTQ students and employees often find campus environments to be unwelcoming and even hostile. People whose emotional and physical safety is at risk can experience fear and anxiety, isolation and invisibility, fear of disclosure and high levels of stress. This can lead to attrition and turnover among promising LGBTQ students and staff. The goal of the University of Montana Allies Program (UM Allies) is to promote a campus environment that is inclusive and supportive of all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. This training will include discussions and activities, information about privilege, oppression, and the LGBTQ community, and tips for how to be an effective ally. Participants will also receive a training manual that includes definitions, resource materials, and referral information for programs and services in the community.

Indigenous Mentoring Program Workshop

Friday, October 14, 12:00-3:00 p.m., via Zoom.

Friday, October 21, 12:00-2:00 p.m., via Zoom.

Marilyn Zimmerman, Senior Director of Policy and Programs, National Native Children's Trauma Center, and Jennifer Harrington, Native American Natural Resource Program Director, W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation, will lead a two-part workshop series for faculty, graduate students, administrators and staff who currently mentor, or who are interested in mentoring, American Indian/Alaska Native students. Attendees will engage in facilitated sessions with a number of presenters who will share knowledge about cultural humility, establishing and sustaining healthy mentor-mentee relationships, and campus and community-wide services and programs available for AI/AN students. The workshop will also focus on Indigenous research methodologies, best practices for disseminating research in Native communities, and Indigenous mentoring practices.

Finding a Mentor and a Sponsor—For Busy People

Building a professional network is a crucial part of your career development. Invest just a few minutes each work day from October 10-28 to watch a quick LinkedIn Learning video and gain strategies to find and connect with both mentors and sponsors.

RSVP to receive daily reminders or follow along with the Finding a Mentor and a Sponsor—For Busy People learning path as well.

Preparing to Apply for Sabbatical

Wednesday, October 5, 2:30-3:30 p.m., via Zoom.

This session offers guidance on preparing a sabbatical application. Learn about the proposal review process and the sabbatical proposal evaluation rubric.

Understanding the Faculty Evaluation Process on Submittable: FOR FACULTY SUBMITTERS

Thursday, September 29, 2-3 p.m., via Zoom

Intended for faculty members who will be submitting IPRs and participating in the Faculty Evaluation process this year, this session will explain the paperless Faculty Evaluation process in Submittable, including how to upload your IPR securely and the actions you’ll need to take as you move through the stages of the process. Claudine Cellier and Tom McClintock from the Office of the Provost will lead you step by step through the process in Submittable and answer your questions.

Tenure and Promotion

Wednesday, September 28, 2-3 p.m., UC 330

Representatives from the Office of the Provost and the Deans’ Offices of the College of Humanities & Sciences and the College of Education will discuss the Individual Performance Record (IPR), evaluation procedures, and expectations for promotion and tenure. This will be particularly helpful to those just starting their faculty careers.

Using Virtual Reality to Achieve Your Learning Outcomes

Friday, September 23, 2-5p.m., LA 140

Think of traveling inside a cell, walking through a famous museum, being totally immersed in another culture and having to understand their language...the sky is the limit. Attend this Virtual Reality Lab open house and explore how virtual reality might help support your teaching. UM currently has 18 Oculus 2 headsets to serve a class synchronously. Professor Katie Holick from the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and the Neuroscience program will work with attendees to consider how VR could be used to invigorate interest and help students learn. Feel free to stop by at any time during the open house. Registering in advance will allow Professor Holick to provide you with a more customized experience.

Academic Writing Workshop 

Thursday, September 22, 3-4:30 p.m., PFNAC 103

Academic writing is high pressure and high stakes. This workshop for faculty will provide space for you to reflect on how to enhance your own writing practice as you learn about evidence-based approaches for productive writing, debunk writing myths about successful academic writers, and connect across disciplines as a community of writers. Presented by writing experts from the Writing and Public Speaking Center and the OSP’s Research Development Office, this workshop will offer structured reflection and conversation about writing practice and concrete tips, resources, and strategies to support your career.

Understanding the Faculty Evaluation Process on Submittable—FOR FACULTY EVALUATION MANAGERS

Thursday, September 22, 1-2 p.m., via Zoom

Intended for those who are in the position of managing their unit’s Faculty Evaluation process, this session will provide an overview of the paperless Faculty Evaluation process in Submittable, including supporting faculty, FEC chairs, FEC members, department chairs/directors, and deans in their roles as submitters and reviewers. Claudine Cellier and Tom McClintock from the Office of the Provost will lead you step by step through the process in Submittable and answer your questions.

Conducting Research with Indigenous Communities

Wednesday, September 21, 3-4 p.m., Ali Auditorium (Education building, first floor)

This panel discussion session will offer advice and guidance on topics such as cultural humility, working with Tribal Institutional Review Boards, and how researchers can develop authentic and respectful relationships with Indigenous communities. Professor Blakely Brown, Public and Community Health Sciences; Professor Fred Peck, Mathematical Sciences; Professor Ke Wu, Mathematical Sciences; Katherine Swan, Office of Sponsored Programs; and Brad Hall, Tribal Outreach Specialist will share their experiences conducting research and working with Indigenous communities.Establishing an Effective Classroom Environment on the First Day and Week

Wednesday, August 24, 3-5 p.m., via Zoom

Workshop participants will develop a plan for their first week of classes to set the tone for an engaging, inclusive classroom environment. Led by Professor Lauren Fern, the session will cover setting or resetting classroom culture, effective group work practices, Universal Design for Learning principles for course design, and reflection on implicit and explicit values illustrated in syllabi.

Engaging Students in a Successful First Week with Learning Assistants 

Tuesday, August 23, 11-12:30, ED 334 

This interactive workshop will share examples of how to set the stage for an active and inclusive first week of classes by working with Learning Assistants (LAs). Learn how LAs can help facilitate instructional strategies that have been shown to increase student engagement and promote an inclusive classroom environment. Open to faculty who are working with LAs or might be interested in working with LAs, participants will learn more about the Learning Assistant program, what role the LA can play in your class, and how you can engage with your LA in your weekly meetings. Bring your questions and suggestions to share. A lunch gathering for attendees and their LAs will follow and provide more opportunity to connect with the LA community. Contact Josh Herring with any questions. 

AAUW Salary Negotiation Workshop (Start Smart)

Wednesday, July 20, 10-12:30 p.m.., UC 330-31

AAUW Work Smart is designed to help you negotiate for a new job, raise, or promotion. Learn how to research your target salary, highlight your accomplishments and find the right words— and the confidence— to negotiate for better benefits and pay. American women earn only 80 percent of their male counterparts, a pay gap of 20 percent. Black and Hispanic women earn even less. While the pay gap results from many factors — including discrimination — gender differences in salary negotiation play a role. Men are four times more likely to negotiate their starting salary, and negotiations on average result in higher pay.  In this workshop, you’ll learn:

• How to identify and articulate your personal value
• How to develop an arsenal of persuasive responses and other negotiation strategies, including how to get a raise or promotion
• How to conduct objective market research to benchmark a target salary and benefits
• About the wage gap, including its long-term consequences

This workshop is open to all. Employees who attend this training will be eligible to continue on to become a Smart Start certified salary negotiation trainer.

Advancing your career at UM

Wednesday, July 20, 3-4 p.m.., UC 330-31

Many of us enjoy working at UM and would like to continue our career here, but may not see a clear path for advancement or understand the best ways to pursue new opportunities. Whether you are looking to grow within your current role, find a new position, or are considering long-term professional goals, join us for this panel discussion on how to strategically pursue career advancement at UM.  Marcie Briggs, Recruitment Manager, HRS, will share advice about pursuing professional growth opportunities and avoiding common pitfalls for internal candidates. Charity Atteberry, Director of Student Services and Registrar, Blewett School of Law, and Kit Edington, Manager of Systems Administration, IT, will share their experiences seeking and achieving internal advancement at UM.