UT System Connect August 16, 2022

August 16, 2022

In this email:

Latest News - Receive the Roundup
Professional Development - Explore New Development Opportunities
Upcoming Events of Interest - Virtual Safe Space Sessions
Employee Spotlight - Meet Roger Russell

Latest News

Receive the UT System News Roundup

The UT System Office of Communications and Marketing regularly curates a list of mentions where the UT System's campuses and institutes are featured in the news. If any UT System employee is interested in receiving these emails, please contact Melissa Tindell at mtindell@tennessee.edu.

Updated Mask Guidance for UT Tower

In case any UT Tower employees missed the announcement last week, Knox County has been moved to a medium risk (yellow) for COVID-19. Therefore, TVA is no longer enforcing a mask mandate for those who enter both its West Tower and the UT Tower. For UT System Administration employees, this means that masks are not required to be worn upon entry into the UT Tower or in the elevators. If individuals feel more comfortable wearing masks, they are welcome to continue. As the risk level of COVID-19 fluctuates in Knox County, the guidelines may be subject to change.

Professional Development

Resources

BEST Man Forum
Registration is live
The BEST Man Forum (Building Essential Skills Together) will take place Oct. 6-7, 2022, at the Knoxville Convention Center. The forum is designed to meet the needs of UT men with exempt classification who serve our campuses and institutes. The forum will serve as a catalyst to unite UT men systemwide. They will learn, network and contribute to the embodiment of the Be One UT values in performance, behaviors and relationships.

Exempt employees from across the state are welcome to register for this two-day conference to be held in Knoxville. The forum will consist of the following:

Three facilitated small-group sessions focused on building essential skills together
An executive leadership panel
An extensive networking and vendor session
Lunch both days and breakfast on day two

Cost of the conference is $200.

Please join UT men from across the state at the BEST Man Forum – Register in K@TE:
https://tennessee.csod.com/ui/lms-learning-details/app/event/e599048e-4388-4f82-9dba-3ad6fa8455c4

Leading From Where You Are
Fall 2022 online certificate program is open for registration
Sessions start on August 18, 2022. These sessions will be online, so you may join from where you are.

You may ask “What is Leading From Where You Are?” This certificate program is designed for the professional development of all employees regardless of status, classification or title. The program is the preliminary learning opportunity that anchors the overall leadership development focus of UT System HR Employee and Organizational Development. The program is recommended for all employees and its inclusion is suggested as part of the onboarding plan for new hires. The Leader Who Had No Title by Robin Sharma will be provided to participants as a key resource for the course. To facilitate learning, a combination of required readings, independent assignments, discussions, virtual and/or in person facilitated group sessions and online presentations will be employed.

Register in K@TE for Leading From Where You Are:
https://tennessee.csod.com/ui/lms-learning-details/app/event/d7f092d6-133a-45f0-a80c-0e5ef7405c33

Supervisory Foundations Certificate Program: Building Leaders
The Supervisory Foundations Certificate Program comprises seven virtual sessions utilizing a cohort model facilitated by innovative leaders across the UT System. This rigorous program allows newly promoted leaders or employees hired into a supervisory position within the past five years to build the foundational leadership competence needed to navigate the complexities of leading people in an ever-evolving workplace. In addition, this program will challenge participants to be leaders of thought and action.

Dates: (10 a.m. – 12 p.m.)

9/9/2022: Welcome and Leadership Identity
9/23/2022: Building Resilience Behaviors
10/14/2022: Building a Cohesive Team
10/28/2022: Building Trust and Accountability
11/4/2022: Leading Growth and Development
11/18/2022: Leading Engagement and Recognition
12/9/2022: Leading Inclusivity

Register in K@TE for Supervisory Foundations: Building Leaders:
https://tennessee.csod.com/ui/lms-learning-details/app/event/39ecc83a-97df-46b5-b6ec-6c07485e61be

Upcoming Events of Interest

August Inclusion Calendar

The world is rich with diversity. Life flourishes when environments are welcoming of all values.

To support an inclusive environment, but not to promote or inhibit the celebration of any religious holidays, an updated observance calendar is included in this newsletter each month. Diversity is the one thing we have in common–celebrate it every day.

View the August calendar below for a full list of observances.

View August Observances

Virtual Safe Space Sessions

UTSA HR is offering free “Virtual Safe Space” sessions to help employees manage stress they may be experiencing professionally and personally. These group sessions, hosted by a trained facilitator who is licensed as a mental health clinician, will initiate discussion and provide resiliency strategies to assist in managing stress. All sessions run from 1-2 p.m. EDT. Individuals may register for each session through K@TE.

8/24/2022
9/28/2022
10/26/2022
11/16/2022
12/14/2022

Mental Well-being

Caring for mental health, raising awareness and lifting each other up any way we can regarding mental health is incredibly important now more than ever.

View the August 2022 wellness calendar for important dates, holidays and helpful tips.

Employee Spotlight

Roger Russell - Pilot with UT Flight Operations

Roger Russell joined the UT System on Aug. 1. He has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Prior to joining UT, Russell has served as a professional pilot for 35 years. When Russell is not working, he enjoys spending time outdoors.