Keynote Speaker

Schedule

7:30 AM Registration Opens/ Light Breakfast

8:30 AM Welcome & Setting the Stage

8:40 AM Keynote: Breaking the Confidence Code - Melissa Peoples

10:20 AM Workshop Session Block 1

• Decoding Reengeneering Madison: The Inside Scoop (JMU Specific Content) - Robin Bryan
• Team Emotional Intelligence - Gretchen Armentrout
• Communication that deescalates Conflict - Paula Bennett
• Hiring Foreign Nationals - What you Need to Know -  Jonathan Kratz

11:10 AM Workshop Session Block 2

• Increasing Cultural Consideration & Accessibility: Inclusive event Planners Alliance (JMU Specific Content) - Dr. Malika Carter-Hoyt
• Lifting the Lid on Teams - Melissa Peoples
• How to Make a Mistake - Lori Patton

12:10 PM Info Fair & Lunch 

1:30 PM Workshop Session Block 3

• Hiring, Training and Working with Generation Z - Benjamin (Ben) Lundy
• Ethical Decision Making - Kacey Damaty
• Cultivating Joy at Work - Jennifer Campfield
• Building a Staff Advisory Council - Rabia Lieber

2:30 PM Workshop Session Block 4

• Principles of Coaching for Leadership (and Life) - Amana Kellogg
• The 10 Superheroes at Work - Kristi Moon
• Managing a Social Media Account - Rochelle Reed
• The Critical role of Administrative Professionals - An Internal Auditor's Perspective - Rebecca Holmes

3:30 PM Keynote: Building Your Administrative Playbook - Melissa Peoples

4:30 PM Wrap Up, Door Prizes & Thank you

Registration

Registration includes access to full day event, and meals.

JMU Administrative Professionals: $0 
Non JMU Administrative Professionals $99

Register Now

Accomodations & Travel Information

Hotels

Hotel Madison
Hyatt Place Harrisonburg
Courtyard by Marriott
Fairfield Inn & Suites

Parking

Parking is available in the CHAMPIONS DRIVE DECK (Online Parking Map).  

Breaking the Confidence Code - Melissa Peoples CEO & Founder, Admin Gurus

Description to come.

Team Emotional Intelligence - Gretchen Armentrout, Director, JMU Advancement Information Services

According to Dr. Jean Greaves, Emotional intelligence (EQ) is the most important driver of individual performance in the workplace while few have understood the impact of team-level EQ on performance. Emotions can easily take over when work gets stressful and/or overwhelming. Teams that can effectively develop high team-EQ will be better equipped to work together more effectively and individually improve their job satisfaction. This session will explore the four essential team EQ skills: Emotion Awareness, Emotion Management, Internal Relationships and External Relationships. Session will be built from Dr. Jean Greaves book 'Team Emotional Intelligence 2.0'

Communication that deescalates Conflict - Paula Bennett, Customer Service Specialist, University Business Office

This workshop will use ideas from Marshall Rosenberg's work in Nonviolent Communication to help participants learn language that achieves more positive and productive results during conflict. We will explore ways to choose and use our words to foster conflict resolution.  The workshop will use active participation and role playing to practice ways to shift our everyday language to diffuse conflict and gain more positive results. 

Hiring Foreign Nationals; What you Need to Know -  Jonathan Kratz, Direcor, International Student & Scholar Services,  JMU Center for Global Engagement International Programs 

This workshop will cover the details about hiring a foreign national at JMU, whether it's for a short visa or in a permanent position. We will review different visa categories, JMU sponsorship policies, taxation, and what paperwork to file & when. There will be plenty of time for your questions to be addressed.

Increasing Cultural Consideration & Accessibility: Inclusive event Planners Alliance (JMU Specific Content) - Dr. Malika Carter-Hoyt,  JMU Vice President Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - Chief Diversity Officer

The Inclusive Event Planners Alliance, a multi-constituency group made up of faculty, staff, students and administration in an annual cohort-based alliance designed to promote and highlight inclusive excellence in events, conferences, workshops and activities.  As universities become increasingly diverse, it is important for individuals and groups who are communicating and planning events to consider how they can make their events accessible and engaging to a broad audience. Audiences include people with a wide array of backgrounds and social identities, including those based upon ability, age, class, country of origin, disability, ethnicity, gender, language, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status and more. Join us to learn about how we plan events that are inclusive of the growing diversity of constituents, it is necessary to go beyond simply accommodating or acknowledging people's differences, and instead, to create events that are universally designed and accessible 

Lifting the Lid on Teams - Melissa Peoples CEO & Founder, Admin Gurus

Description to come. 

How to Make a Mistake - Lori Patton Administrative Assistant, Assistant to the Dean, JMU College of Arts & Letters

How to make a mistake and live to tell about it. The art of embracing our mistakes by turning them into learning opportunities, not allowing them to rob our energy and immobilize us in fear and defeat. Implementing pro-active steps and practices such as note taking, research tips, asking questions, networking, and self-talk 'What do I need to do to make sure this doesn't happen again?'

Hiring, Training and Working with Generation Z - Benjamin (Ben) Lundy, Field Operations Manager, JMU Parking and Transit Services 

With 18 years supervising student employees, I have seen a shift in the last several years in how the youngest members of the workforce communicate and function on the job. Our department has had to adapt our recruitment and training strategies accordingly, but we have also learned a great deal about the new skills and abilities that Generation Z brings to the workplace. The contents of this workshop will help employers in organizations that work with younger staff understand how they can adapt their practices to get the best results and foster the best work environment for members of Generation Z.

Ethical Decision Making - Kacey Damaty, Assistant Director, JMU Ethical Reasoning in Action

Practice using the Eight Key Questions to help you make difficult decisions.

Cultivating Joy at Work - Jennifer Campfield, Assistant Vice President for Academic Initiatives and Planning, JMU Provost’s Office 

Cultivating joy at work is possible, and it is beneficial for our well-being, performance and resilience. Come to this session and learn a simple but mighty four-part model for expanding our joy at work. We’ll explore how we can create more joy in our daily lives by infusing our workdays with purpose, enjoyment, social support and self-care.

Building a Staff Advisory Council - Rabia Lieber, Social Media & Marketing Coordinator, JMU Educational Technology and Media Center

Established in 2018, the College of Education Deans’ Staff Advisory Council aims to advocate for staff by providing direct communication with senior college leadership while fostering community through social, service, and training events. Discover how we've built bridges between staff and leadership, organized impactful events, and created professional development opportunities. Connect with colleagues, contribute your ideas, and be part of a movement that empowers staff and enriches our college community.

Principles of Coaching for Leadership (and Life) - Amana Kellogg, Director, Professional Development, JMU School of Professional & Continuing Education

This workshop will introduce participants to coaching principles that can help them listen deeply, respond meaningfully, and lead effectively. Participants will have opportunities to practice each coaching skill and discuss how it might be deployed in their professional (or personal) contexts to build trust and empower collaborators. Topics covered will include: reactive to creative thinking, coaching with values, and levels of listening. The workshop facilitator, Dr. Amanda Kellogg, is an executive coach and Director of Professional Development for JMU’s School of Professional and Continuing Education.

The 10 Superheroes at Work - Kristi Moon, Senior Benefits Specialist, JMU Human Resources

We live in a fast-paced world, where being effective and getting better is essential. By product of that particular approach is our excessive focus on weaknesses. Instead of always, picking on our shortcomings, let's give praise to our strengths and effort we bring daily to our work routines. In every company and team, there are talented and hardworking people who don't get the credit they deserve. Weekdone has set out to find and identify all of these Superheroes. Come and learn which Superhero you are!

Managing a Social Media Account - Rochelle Reed, Social Media Manager, JMU University Communications

Running and managing an official social media account can be intimidating when it’s an “other duties as assigned” task. Participants will gain foundational knowledge for managing Facebook, Linkedin, X, and Instagram accounts. From the back end of Meta Business Suite, to account security and posting content participants will be introduced to best practices and resources to support them for continued education. 

The Critical role of Administrative Professionals - An Internal Auditor's Perspective - Rebecca Holmes, Director, JMU Audit & Management Services

Administrative professionals' involvement in all aspects of departmental management means that they are essentially JMU's first line of defense against fraud, waste, and abuse, and essential to ensuring compliance with JMU policies and procedures. 

Building Your Administrative Playbook - Melissa Peoples CEO & Founder, Admin Gurus

Description to come