This series of workshops is intended for leaders (executive managers, deans, directors, chairs, and supervisors, level 12-17) from across the University to work together to improve the current climate and culture in their units and across the greater campus community.
While sessions are repeated annually, content is updated each year to reflect changes in current policies and practices. We encourage you to attend sessions more than once as new information is regularly shared.
This series is a collaboration between the Office of Faculty and Academic Staff Development, the Office of Faculty and Academic Staff Affairs, Human Resources, the Office for Civil Rights and Title IX Education and Compliance, and the Office for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion.
Setting the Tone: An Introduction to Changing Climate & Culture
Lydia Weiss, Assistant Director, Climate & Response Unit, Prevention, Outreach and Education Department
Carrie Moylan, Associate Professor, School of Social Work, College of Social Science and Advisor to the President and Co-chair, MSU RVSM Expert Advisory Workgroup
Stephanie Anthony, Director, College Access Initiatives, Office of University Outreach and Engagement and Advisor to the President and Co-chair, MSU RVSM Expert Advisory Workgroup
IN-PERSON October 29, 2024 from 9:00-11:00 AM EST – MSU Main Library, Room W207
As leaders in a complex organization, we are often left wondering how we take big-picture ideas like University-level strategic plans and funnel them into our own units. During this workshop, participants will examine the results of the Know More Survey that was administered in 2022 and consider what this means for the climate of the University and within your own team. Using this and the University’s strategic plans as the foundation for discussion, the workshop will introduce the Climate Assessment Toolkit, which helps leaders make meaning of the climate and culture among their team. The Toolkit provides practical skills and exercises to support leaders in creating positive environments, identifying concerns and challenges, reducing risk, and building healthy work and learning climates.
Shannon Lynn Burton, University Ombudsperson
Kathie Elliott, Senior Learning and Organization Development Specialist, Organization and Professional Development, MSU Human Resources
Jade Richards, Dialogues Coordinator, Institutional Diversity and Inclusion
Francisco Villarruel, Faculty Grievance Official
IN-PERSON November 19, 2024 from 9:00-11:00 AM EST – MSU Main Library, Room W207
Conflict is an inevitable part of human interactions, yet many of us try and avoid situations where conflict is present. Learning how to deal with conflict in healthy and productive ways is essential for personal growth, effective leadership, and creating positive change. At the center of many conflicts are issues around power (both real and perceived) that can relate to work roles and identity factors such as gender and race. This workshop is designed to equip leaders with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate conflict effectively, establish clear boundaries and expectations, and understand the various power dynamics that can influence the situation. Participants will learn practical skills for navigating conflict in a way that fosters team growth. When registering for the event, participants will be prompted to provide answers to a few questions that will guide the content presented at the session.
Management of OCR Investigation, Support and Resolution Department Cases: Process & Responsibilities of Leaders
Robert Kent, Interim Executive Director of OCR’s Investigation, Support and Resolution (ISR) Department
Amanda Moses, Senior Human Resource Professional, Office of Employee Relations
Melissa Sortman, Assistant Provost, Faculty and Academic Staff Affairs
VIRTUAL January 29, 2025 from 9:00 – 11:00 AM EST, Zoom (Link will be provided with registration confirmation)
This session is designed to provide leaders (executive managers, deans, directors, chairs, and supervisors) an overview of how to manage the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) Investigation, Support, and Resolution Department’s (ISR) (formerly OIE) process when there is an active case. This session serves to increase understanding of the ISR process (from the administrator’s perspective), the administrator’s role, the importance of working closely with Faculty and Academic Staff Affairs and/or The Office of Employee Relations throughout the process, and mechanisms to address misconduct related to reports made to OCR.
What You Need to Know — The Discipline Process for Academic Administrators and Managers
Deborah Johnson, MSU Foundation Professor and Director of the Diversity Research Network
Amanda Moses, Senior Human Resource Professional, Human Resources
Melissa Sortman, Assistant Provost, Faculty and Academic Staff Affairs
Marilyn Tarrant, Associate Vice President and Chief Audit, Risk and Compliance Officer
VIRTUAL February 27, 2025 from 9:00 – 11:00 AM EST, Zoom (Link will be provided with registration confirmation)
Holding people accountable in the workplace is a critical component of any supervisor’s job. When things are not going well, understanding the process and the resources available is vital to responding in an equitable and timely manner. This leadership session provides an overview of disciplinary investigations and how to define and administer discipline. The leader’s role in the process will be discussed with a specific focus on difficult conversations, accountability, and intervention measures.
This session is designed specifically for those serving in a role that supervises any combination of faculty, academic staff and/or support staff.