All employees are invited on Thursday, March 5, 2026
Join faculty, staff and administrators from across the University for a day of free professional development in the D'Angelo Ballroom and adjoining suites. Whether you attend a single workshop, or join us for a full day of learning, all are welcome from 9am-3:30pm . Pre-registration is strongly encouraged, as last year's event attracted over 200 employees. Workshop descriptions can be found below.
Offered by St. John’s University’s Office of Human Resources and Office of Employee Belonging, Professional Development Day provides an opportunity for staff, administrators and faculty to connect, learn, and grow with colleagues during a full day dedicated to learning on the Queens campus. The conference-style format featured 12 workshops offered in four sessions throughout the day, organized along three tracks: Technology, Skill Building, and Wellbeing. Employees are welcome to drop in for one workshop or stay all day and attend up to four different workshops, as their workday permitted.
New this year will be a Department Showcase to be held between the morning and afternoon sessions. This midday break promotes cross-departmental employee networking and learning by inviting representatives from departments across the University to highlight their programs and services and share information about their departments. We hope you stop by a table between 11:50-12:50 during the break.
Members of our Employee Benefits office, as well as representatives from key benefits such as Aetna, Optum, Cigna Dental, NY Life, P&A Group, NYS 529 Plans, TIAA and Fidelity will be onsite to meet with employees, respond to questions and provide giveaways. Refreshments will be served and all employees in attendance will receive a free John’s University branded gift.
2026 Schedule at-a-glance*
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Starting at 9 a.m. | Onsite registration and pre-registration check-in |
| 9:30-10:30 a.m. | Session I |
| 10:40-11:40 a.m. | Session II |
| 11:50 a.m.-12:50 p.m. | Networking Break – Department Showcase |
| 1-2 p.m. | Session III |
| 2:10-3:10 p.m. | Session IV |
| 3:30 p.m. | Conference ends |
*Entire day will take place in the D'Angelo Ballroom, Queens campus
Workshop Descriptions
Working with Office 365
In this session presented by members of the St. John’s University Information Technology department, participants will learn basic features of Outlook, Teams, and common Office apps and how to navigate among them effectively. Understand the benefits of using integrated tools and working in the cloud to leverage collaboration and improve productivity. Learn practical tips for staying organized and improving workflow and efficiency.
Psychological Safety at Work: Creating the Conditions for Effective Teamwork
This workshop explores how everyday behaviors and interactions shape psychological safety in the workplace. Participants will learn how respectful communication, active listening, and thoughtful responses help create an environment where individuals feel comfortable speaking up, asking questions, and contributing ideas—especially during times of change. Grounded in research and focused on practical application, this session emphasizes behaviors within each employee’s control, regardless of role or title. Participants will gain a clearer understanding of what psychological safety is (and is not), why it matters for team effectiveness and performance, and how small, consistent actions can strengthen collaboration, learning, and trust across teams.
Building Smart Financial Habits for Success
Presented by our partners at TIAA, this session will cover foundational financial wellness concepts and empower employees to develop sustainable habits that support long-term financial stability. Employees will recognize the importance of establishing consistent financial habits (budgeting, saving and managing debt) to support personal financial goals, identify practical strategies for planning and prioritizing needs, learn how TIAA resources and tools can support smart financial decision-making, recognize common financial pitfalls and how intentional planning can help reduce financial stress and improve overall wellbeing.
Working with AI
Discover how artificial intelligence (AI) can transform the way you work. This program, led by our Office of Information Technology team, introduces practical AI tools and techniques to streamline tasks, enhance creativity, and boost productivity. Learn best practices for integrating AI into your daily workflow while staying mindful of ethics and security. Whether you’re new to AI or looking to refine your skills, this program equips you to harness its potential with confidence.
Creating a Climate of RESPECT: The Impact of Bias Response Teams on University Campuses
Gen Z students are used to living in a digital-first world with less in-person contact and more on-screen interactions and transactions. When interpersonal conflicts arise, a holistic approach can be the most effective means of conflict resolution. At St. John’s University, RESPECT – Respond and Partner to Engage our Community Team – employs a non-punitive methodology to respond to conflict (often incidents of bias) within the campus community. Employees will learn how to use the RESPECT principles of restorative justice as a tool to resolve student and community-centered conflicts at institutions of higher education.
Connecting with our Mission: The Core Values of a Vincentian Education
As University employees, we have a unique responsibility and obligation to express the St. John’s University Mission by integrating its Catholic, Vincentian, and metropolitan/global identity into the work we do with and for our students. By incorporating Vincentian core values, promoting inclusive excellence, committing to service and social justice principles and striving for academic and professional excellence, employees can embody the Mission and help to prepare students for a life of responsible leadership, global stewardship, and compassionate service. Learn more about how connecting with our Mission will enrich your life and create a ripple effect throughout our University community and beyond.
A full hour will be dedicated to promote cross-departmental employee networking and learning by inviting representatives from departments across the University to highlight their programs and services and share information about their departments. We hope you stop by a department table between 11:50-12:50 during the break to connect with colleagues and enjoy refreshments.
H Drive to OneDrive
Join Information Technology for a practical training session on moving from local drives to OneDrive to modernize the way you store, access, and collaborate on files. This session will explain why we’re transitioning to cloud-based storage and walk you through how to migrate, organize, and manage your files in OneDrive. Participants will leave with the skills to confidently upload, sync, share, and collaborate on documents using Microsoft 365 tools. You’ll also learn best practices to ensure your files stay secure, accessible, and easy to manage.
Electronic Personnel Action Forms
At St. John’s University, Electronic Personnel Action Forms (EPAFs) serve to automate and streamline several human resources transactions. In this session, the St. John’s University Human Resources Payroll Department will cover when and how to use EPAFs, provide tips and guidance, and answer questions.
Access for All & Inclusive Design: Understanding Accessibility in the SJU Community
In this session, we will explore accessibility as a shared responsibility and an essential part of community well-being at SJU. Participants will learn the foundations of disability and accessibility. Participants will also gain a practical understanding of strategies and tools that promote accessibility and inclusivity of individuals with disabilities, learn how accessibility impacts daily experiences across campus, and reflect on small, meaningful actions that can foster belonging for all at SJU. We will examine how creating and designing our SJU environment and workplace with accessibility in mind goes beyond compliance, but promotes care, connection, and a culture of wellness across campus.
Shared Drive to SharePoint
Join us for an informative training session that will guide you through the transition from traditional shared drives to SharePoint. This session will explain the benefits of using SharePoint for secure, organized, and collaborative file management across teams. You’ll learn how to migrate content, structure sites and document libraries, and apply best practices for access, sharing, and version control. By the end, participants will be able to confidently work in SharePoint and support their teams through the shift to modern, cloud-based file storage.
Adapting to Change: Managing Transitions
This workshop helps employees better understand and navigate the personal and professional transitions that accompany change in the workplace. Participants will explore the difference between external change and internal transition, gaining insight into how the brain responds to uncertainty and why change can feel challenging even when it is necessary. Through a blend of research-based concepts and practical strategies, this session equips participants with tools to manage emotional responses, reframe unhelpful narratives, and focus on what is within their control. The workshop also emphasizes empathy and shared responsibility, helping individuals recognize different change response styles and support themselves and others more effectively during times of transition.
Connecting with our Mission: Translating the Mission into our Lives and Work
As University employees, we have a unique responsibility and obligation to express the St. John’s University Mission by integrating its Catholic, Vincentian, and metropolitan/global identity into the work we do with and for our students. By incorporating Vincentian core values, promoting inclusive excellence, committing to service and social justice principles and striving for academic and professional excellence, employees can embody the Mission and help to prepare students for a life of responsible leadership, global stewardship, and compassionate service. Learn more about how connecting with our Mission will enrich your life and create a ripple effect throughout our University community and beyond.
Employees last year had this to say:
“Great job! Love the giveaways and the topics covered.”
“This was a fun and informative day out of the office. Thank you!”
“Thank you for continuing to invest in SJU staff!”
“I thought the day was great! Well-organized and the timing was good since the students were on Spring Break.”
“I was really impressed by the selection and the execution. It made me feel valued as an employee, that St. John's is invested in me.”
“Thank you for organizing such an impactful event. I look forward to future workshops and the continued growth of our St. John's community.”
Archives
This event was held:
Thursday, March 6, 2025
9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
D’Angelo Ballroom
2025 Workshop Tracks
Sessions and Presentations
You can find all 2025 presentations by visiting this Employee Resources page.