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Hello hoomans! @cocoathecounselor here.
As a doggo, life is pretty simple. Even as a workin' therapy dog, I still have plenty of time to slow down, rest, and watch the seasons change. And since I am pretty skilled at movin' slow, I have become particularly good at noticing. Noticing the new little spider web on my front porch, the wet morning grass under my paws, the cooler evening breeze on my fur, my favorite tree yellowing for fall, the golden hour before it's time for kibble. It's nothing major, but the noticing is joyful. I know you hoomans have hectic lives, but I hope you take time to notice the little things today - they just might bring you joy.
#cocoacares
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The Belonging Committee has starting offering a variety of options this semester to hopefully meet people’s varied interests. To date, they include:
- November 2, 10 - 11:30 a.m.: Monthly Student Life staff meeting. In addition to our usual shoutouts and business, we'll welcome Russ Pearlman, Vice President of IT, and Heidi Grunkemeyer, Vice President of UCOM. They will share progress on the next phase of website updates.
- November 7, 5 p.m.: Fat Putter Mini-Golf Outing. In place of the previously planned TopGolf event, the Student Life Belonging committee invites you to join CSU Program Board for a free round of mini golf at the Fat Putter downtown! 111 N 10th St from 5-7 p.m. Food and drink are available for purchase. For questions, contact Sarah Giacomini! RSVP here.
- November 18, 2 p.m.: The Nutcracker at Creighton. Come see our talented dance students perform this annual tradition. Family and kid-friendly! Tickets are $5 each and are available for purchase here.
- December 15, 9:15 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.: Heart Ministry Center Volunteer Opportunity. One more spot is available to participate, so the first person to email Dr. Michele Bogard gets it!
- December 15, 2 p.m.: Student Life Recess. It's an annual tradition! Christmas sweaters/ties/accessories are encouraged while we play music bingo, trivia, and board games. Enjoy time together while the students are away!
New Staff Formation:
For those newer to Student Life at Creighton, you will be invited soon to a Blueline course to learn more about our history, structure, and resources available to you.
For "veterans" to Student Life (those with 5+ years of service), if you'd like to consider being a mentor or guide to a new staff member, please fill out this brief interest form.
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Casual Friday supports important causes
Submitted by Cheryl Roberts, Office of the Vice Provost
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Student Life continues a longstanding tradition of supporting staff in turning in our professional attire on Bluejay Spirit Fridays (when appropriate) to wear jeans and Creighton spirit wear. Staff who choose to participate are asked to donate $1 to their office pool, and that money is then rolled up and donated for all of Student Life to a non-profit cause that allows us to support community and world needs.
Money raised in September and October will be donated to the Pancreatic Cancer Network (PANCAN) in honor of Dr. Tanya Winegard. PANCAN’s mission is to take bold action to improve the lives of everyone impacted by pancreatic cancer by advancing scientific research, building community, sharing knowledge, and advocating for patients. Thank you to all who participated.
Please share interests for future donation recipients/causes and any additional feedback about this initiative with Cheryl Roberts.
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Open Enrollment and Benefits Fair (OMA and PHX)
Submitted by Dr. Michele Bogard
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Open enrollment begins November 1, 2023. Gain more knowledge about your benefit options and offerings by visiting with Human Resources and providers at the annual Creighton Benefits and Wellness Fair
In Omaha, this event will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 1. The open house fair is 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. CDT in the Skutt Student Center, Mutual of Omaha Ballroom. This year’s theme is "Go the Extra Mile."
In Phoenix, the benefits fair will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 8, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. MST, located in the Phoenix Campus, Room 604. It will not be in the Ballroom. There will be representatives from Human Resources, United Healthcare and Magellan Health (employee assistance program), a massage therapist and nutritionist, other benefits vendor resources and snacks.
Information on how to complete open enrollment will be shared in Creighton Today, and you can also schedule virtual office hours with a member of the benefits team. Please contact the Human Resources benefits team at benefits@creighton.edu or 402.280.2709 with detailed questions or concerns about your unique situation.
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Support the Creighton Cupboard Crowdfunding Campaign
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Recently, Creighton launched a pilot crowdfunding project. Four campus initiatives were chosen to be highlighted and raise money from October 23 through November 24. We are proud that Creighton Cupboard was chosen as one of the inaugural campaigns! You can learn more and make a donation to the Cupboard or another campaign here.
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Celebrate First-Gen Students on November 8
Submitted by Kailyn Tauber
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Wednesday, November 8 is National First Generation Student Day! To celebrate our first-generation students on campus, we have a few events happening next week to highlight our first-gen students and celebrate their successes.
One of these efforts includes “Proud to be First” T-shirts. We have invited our first-generation students to grab a Light Blue T-shirt that says “proud to be first” and encourage them to wear it on November 8. We have also ordered Navy t-shirts for Student Life Staff to wear as supporters of first-generation students. You're invited to stop by the Student Life Suite, Creighton Hall 224, to grab a t-shirt and wear it on November 8! You do not have to identify as a first-generation student to participate!
We will have a group photo of everyone in their t-shirts on Wednesday, November 8 at 12:15pm on the Creighton Hall Front Steps.
T-shirt sizes are first-come, first-served, so if you’re able to join us, please grab a shirt and hop in on the festivities of our first-generation students!
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Technology Topics
The Student Life technology team wants to hear from you! We'd like to start sharing some topics and discussions during the monthly Student Life team meetings, as well as providing additional training for our division. If you have a topic you'd like to learn more about or discuss, please fill out this survey. We look forward to your feedback!
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Participate in the 7th Annual Veterans Day Care Package Drive
The Office of Military and Veterans Affairs, in partnership with the Staff Advisory Council, is excited to support local nonprofit organization, Moving Veterans Forward, for its seventh annual Veteran's Day Care Package Drive on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 9-10.
DONATION REQUESTS
Food: Soups, crackers, canned fruit, mac & cheese, ramen noodles, stuffing mix, sloppy joe mix, pancake mix, syrup, instant potatoes, oatmeal, crackers, peanut better, grape jelly, condiments, coffee
Personal Care: Liquid soap, lotion, laundry detergent, shaving cream, razors, shower curtain liners
Clothing/Home Items: Blankets, winter gloves, socks; personal notes of gratitude and encouragement are welcome too
The Staff Advisory Council will be hosting a collection event on Thursday, Nov. 2, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. CT, at SCSJ, located at Brandeis Hall, Room 201. Those interested may drop off their donation and pick up a fall sweet treat.
Please contact Jenni Austin at jenniferaustin@creighton.edu or 402.280.4910 with any questions.
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Welcome Keenan Krick, Masters Level Therapist
Please join Student Counseling in welcoming Keenan Krick! Keenan grew up in the Omaha area and believes educational systems (when used properly) are vehicles for self- and community-improvement. Over the past 20 years, he has fed his intellectual curiosity and earned degrees in Biology (B.A. 2009), Community Counseling (M.S., 2012), and Public Health (PhD, 2022).
Outside of his work as a licensed mental health therapist, Keenan is a husband, father, yogi, and all-sport enthusiast (especially golf). Email him to coordinate a chat over coffee/tea!
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Welcome Joy Al-Ameen, Assistant Director, Recreation Operations
Please join Recreation and Wellness in welcoming Joy Al-Almeen to the department! She is passionate about helping students and has done so in multiple ways from coaching, to being an adjunct professor, helping in admissions, and overseeing professional staff and student staff for the enrichment of students’ lives through the planning and coordination of intramural sports, recreational activities, leadership activities, and events.
Joy has her MBA and is currently pursuing her MDiv with a concentration in Christian Counseling. She was drawn to Creighton because it is an institution that puts God first and this position allows her to help students find work-life balance as they transition into life after school. She understands how critical these times are for students and wants to be a light in their lives as they navigate this new journey on the way to their next journey. She will oversee recreation operations, including student staff, to help enhance student life within the Recreation + Wellness department. You can reach Joy at joyking@creighton.edu.
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Welcome Katharine Kline, Assistant Director - Financial Operations, Housing and Auxiliary Services
Please join Housing and Auxiliary Services in welcoming Katharine Kline as Assistant Director - Financial Operations. She comes from the non-profit industry and is excited to join Creighton and be part of a strong mission-driven environment.
Katharine earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln.
Katharine lives in Gretna with her husband and two sons. When she is not taxiing her kids to activities, you can find her reading, paddleboarding, and volunteering in her community.
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Several staff members have moved on to new opportunities elsewhere. Please join us in wishing them well:
Laurel Hogan
John Etherton
Berenice Monge
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