The Source - September 2024

September's edition of The Source was fully curated by Erin Watkins, the Office of Human Resources' Technical Communications Intern, who is in her final semester of study in UHD's Bachelor of Science in Technical Communication program. 

This is Erin's final internship project; we hope you enjoy!

PageUp to Replace Taleo in Fall 2024

UHD's TA Team will offer the following hybrid learning opportunities to support all PageUp users:

• Wednesday, October 2, from 10:00a.m.-12:00p.m.
• Wednesday, October 2, from 2:00p.m.-4:00p.m.
• Thursday, October 3, from 10:00a.m.-12:00p.m.

Mandatory Training Begins October 1

The beginning of the new year brings many things: new students, new colleagues, and annual mandatory training (among plenty of other things, of course)!

99% of UHD employees completed their mandatory training in FY 24, but UHD's Talent Development (TD) team, the team responsible for overseeing UHD's annual mandatory training process, has set an ambitious goal of 100% completion this year!

To help us reach this goal, the TD team has provided some helpful information and answers to some of the most commonly asked questions regarding annual mandatory training.​​

Congratulations to August 2024's Kudos Recipients!

Houston sizzled in August, but UHD staff stayed committed to honoring their fellow team members:

• 108 kudos were sent to UHD staff members in August
• 76 staff members received Kudos in August
• These 76 staff members represent 28 departments across campus

Join us in congratulating August 2024's Kudos recipients!

A Note from VP Clerie

Greetings!

It is my honor to join the voices welcoming everyone back and sending well wishes to you for the 2024-25 academic year.

We had an eventful summer (thank you, Beryl!), and I hope you were able to take some time to rest and rejuvenate. The beginning of an academic year represents a fresh start – bringing with it new and exciting opportunities to collaborate and contribute to the growth and development of our university, our students, and ourselves.

I hope that as we begin anew, we continue to support one another, embrace change, and dream big. I am confident that, together, we will make this year our most successful yet. Thank you for your commitment to our shared mission.

See you later, Gators!

Honoring Hispanic Heritage Month

National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15 to October 15 each year and honors the countless contributions of Hispanic Americans who have enriched our nation’s culture, history, and society. This month provides a unique opportunity to reflect on the traditions and achievements of many distinct and vibrant communities.

Join us in commemorating this important occasion through a variety of educational resources and family-friendly events happening on campus and around Houston!

International Week of Happiness at Work: September 23-27

The last week of September is designated as the International Week of Happiness at Work, and the Office of Human Resources has curated a week full of programming! We've compiled a few simple, free ideas for increasing your happiness at work, and we've collaborated with UHD's Center for Urban Agriculture and Sustainability to host a few outdoor events:

• Write a few thank-you cards (or emails) to your colleagues (HR has plenty of cards at our front desk if you'd like to take some!)
• Place a meaningful photo, plant, or memento in your workspace
• Invest some time in an intentional gratitude challenge, like the one Brandi McInnis, Sr. Talent Development Specialist, created
• Learn more about UHD's Fitness Release Time program and Wellness Leave benefits
• Attend an event:
  • Tuesday, 09/24: Mindful Gardening - AM
  • Wednesday, 09/25: Mindful Gardening - PM
  • Friday, 09/27: Grow Your Own Workspace Greenery Station

UHD's Rate of Promotion Nearly Doubles Industry Average

 The average promotion rate for Public Administration/Education reported by the Society for Human Resources' Benchmarking Human Capital Report is 5%, while UHD’s rate for employee promotions in FY 24 was a little over 10%! 

104 employees at UHD were promoted in FY 24, or roughly 10% of full-time employees eligible for promotion. Of these total promotions, 50 were staff career ladder promotions, 30 were staff recruitment promotions, and 24 were faculty promotions.

Get the details and learn more about Dr. Shahnjayla Connors' and Dr. Michael Tobin's paths to promotion!

FY 24 Policy Recap

UHD's policy reviewers and shared governance bodies are already hard at work addressing policies that are due for revision in the 2024-2025 year (FY 25), but we'd like to take a moment to reflect on the significant progress UHD's policy reviewers and shared governance groups made in the 2023-2024 year (FY 24).

28 policy statements were either created, revised, or rescinded in FY 24, which involved dozens of dedicated faculty, staff, and student employees committed to the principles of shared governance. We encourage all employees to take a moment to review our FY 24 policy recap, and we welcome you to contact policy@uhd.edu with any questions you may have regarding policy updates at UHD.

Empowering Educators at New Faculty Orientation

UHD kicked off the 2024-2025 academic year by welcoming 22 new full-time faculty members at the annual New Faculty Orientation, held on August 8 and 9 at Fondren Commons.

The two-day event provided new faculty with a comprehensive introduction to the university’s community, resources, and student body, helping them to get acclimated to their new roles. 

See the pictures and get the details!

Cultivating Resilience at the Staff Development Conference

 The Office of Human Resources organizes dozens of events each semester to support employees, with some of the biggest being staff retreats at the start of each long semester.

This semester we took a bold step by trying something new in response to feedback from previous retreats: we transformed our fall retreat into UHD's first-ever Staff Development Conference, and it was a great success!

Over 200 attendees representing every division of the university joined virtually and/or in person for this hybrid conference, and Dr. LaVonya Bennett delivered an inspiring keynote titled "Embracing Change: Building Resilience in Large Institutions."

Learn more and check out the photos!

Shaping the Future: Generative AI and the UHD Faculty Retreat

At this year’s Faculty Retreat, faculty members had the opportunity to explore the rapidly evolving role of generative artificial intelligence (gen AI) in higher education. Dr. Ashley L. Dockens, Associate Dean of Policy and Procedure for the College of Graduate Studies at Lamar University, delivered an insightful presentation on how gen AI is transforming academic practices. 

The retreat provided faculty with practical strategies for navigating the opportunities and challenges presented by gen AI, sparking meaningful discussions about the future of AI in education. 

Get the whole story!

MyTalentSpace to Sunset in Fall 2024

• Staff performance evaluations will be managed through the ePerformance module of PeopleSoft. Training will be conducted to support all affected users.
• Kudos will be moved to a platform that will allow faculty, staff, and student employees to recognize one another.
• We’re still looking for the right system to manage HR-sponsored learning activities, and we’re prioritizing solutions that make it easy for faculty, staff, and student employees to register, attend, and show proof of attendance.

Start the School Year with Affordable New Looks

 Looking to level up your wardrobe for the 24-25 year? UHD's Career Center and JCPenney at the Memorial City Mall have teamed up to offer UHD students, faculty, and staff exceptional discounts on career wear, shoes, and accessories. 

On Sunday, September 29, you can save up to 45%; but it's only for a limited time. Learn how to snag a deal!

Home Sweet Home: Gators Helped Turn a Hurricane into New Chapter

Guest article by Mike Guajardo, Talent Management and Development Specialist and student in UHD's Master of Arts in Strategic Communication program.

When Hurricane Beryl slammed into Houston, Ryan Thompson, UHD’s new Executive Director of Web Marketing, found himself navigating not only the chaos of the storm but also an unexpected move. With his home left powerless, Thompson and his partner decided it was time for a change. “We had no power for weeks,” he recalls. “My partner and I decided we didn’t want to deal with this again... the universe was telling us to move on.”  

In a week, Thompson, his partner, and his two cats found themselves moved into a new home, fully powered and ready for a fresh beginning. “It wouldn’t have been possible without the support from HR and University Relations,” he says. “It was an experience I do not think I would have had anywhere else. UHD is unique in that way.”  

Read the full story (and see another adorable cat picture)!

Save the Date for Boo Bash: Thursday, October 31

 Mark your calendars: the Office of Human Resources' annual Boo Bash is Thursday, October 31, from 1:30 p.m. - 3:30p.m. in A300!

This casual, come-and-go event is the perfect opportunity to learn about your benefits as a UHD employee while networking with your colleagues over some scary good carnival snacks.

Be on the lookout for more details soon to come. In the meantime, don't be afraid to reach out to compandben@uhd.edu with any questions you may have about this year's event; we promise, they don't bite!

Flu Vaccines on September 24

 Flu season is just around the corner, but the flu shot is coming to you; no need to make a special trip to your doctor or local clinic this year!

In collaboration with HEB, flu immunizations will be offered on campus at no cost to benefits-eligible employees who are HealthSelect participants. 

Monthly EAP Newsletters Now Housed on HR's Website

All full-time benefits-eligible UHD employees, part-time (50% or more) benefits-eligible UHD employees, their dependents, and their household members have access to the Deer Oaks Employee Assistance Program, a free service that offers a wide variety of counseling, referral, and consultation services designed to assist in resolving work and life issues in order to live a happier, healthier, more balanced life.

In addition to these free services, Deer Oaks publishes two newsletters each month to support employees. You can now find these newsletters directly on UHD's EAP website. Check out this month's newsletters to help you take advantage of the great features of Deer Oaks! 

World Alzeheimer's Day is September 21

September is World Alzheimer's Month, and World Alzheimer's Day is marked on September 21. Alzheimer's disease continues to take a tremendous toll. According to the Alzheimer's Foundation, "One in three seniors dies with Alzheimer's or another dementia. It kills more people than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined."

Alzheimer's also puts a huge burden on family members who take on caregiver roles. If you have a friend or work colleague who cares for someone with Alzheimer's, ask how you might be helpful to them. You might offer to bring them a meal or provide occasional care so they can have a break for their own needs.

You can also learn more about Alzheimer's disease and its impact on family caregivers:

• Alzheimer's Caregivers
• Life with Dementia: Tips for Caregivers and Families Planning After a Dementia Diagnosis
• Planning After a Dementia Diagnosis

Take Advantage of HealthSelect's Free Webinars

Navigating Election Stress: Resources for Peace of Mind

Elections can be a source of anxiety, stress, and disagreement for many people, but there are many healthy ways to manage potential  distress and conflict related to the election. 

Deer Oaks EAP has collected the following resources to help you maintain your peace of mind during this election season.

Check out the resources!

On-Demand Webinar from Deer Oaks: Saving Lives Through Conversations

Suicide remains a critical global issue, affecting individuals and communities worldwide. To raise awareness of this pressing issue, which claims over 700,000 lives each year, people commemorate World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) annually on September 10.

With the theme, "Changing the Narrative on Suicide," WSPD emphasizes the need to transform people's perspectives and discussions around suicide. As part of the campaign, the International Association of Suicide Prevention has issued a call to action with the hashtag #StartTheConversation, encouraging everyone to engage in open dialogues about mental health and suicide.

By initiating these conversations, everyone can check in with coworkers, friends, and loved ones; break down barriers; raise awareness; and advocate for mental health resources and support services."

Deer Oaks has also provided a recorded, on-demand event titled Speak Up: Saving Lives Through Conversations as a way to learn more about how to engage in these conversations. Check out the Deer Oaks information sheet for login information. 

Check Out HR's Upcoming Events!

It may only be the beginning of the academic year, but HR already has dozens of events planned for you!

From employee engagement and appreciation opportunities to wellness workshops and tons of learning events in between, there's always something happening in the Office of Human Resources.

Here's a glimpse of our upcoming learning offerings:

• Friday, September 27: Creating Team Cohesion through Team Building Activities (supervisors)
• Wednesday, October 9: Excel Formulas, Functions, and Features (pt.2)
• Thursday, October 24: The Power of Proactive Mentorship

Bookmark the HR events calendar and register for your favorite events today!

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