This event was held:
Thursday, March 6, 2025
9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
D’Angelo Ballroom
Professional Development Day was a free event for all employees offered by St. John’s University’s Office of Human Resources and Office of Employee Belonging to provide an opportunity for staff, administrators and faculty to connect, learn, and grow with their 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: Skill Building, Leading, and Well-being. Employees were welcome to drop in for one workshop or stay all day and attend up to four different workshops, as their workday permitted.
Members of our Employee Benefits office, as well as representatives from key benefits such as Aetna, Optum, Cigna Dental, NY Life, P&A Group, CCA, NYS 529 Plans, TIAA and Fidelity were onsite to meet with employees, respond to questions and provide giveaways. Refreshments were served and all employees received a free John’s University tote bag and deluxe pen.
What employees had to say:
“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.”
“Great job! Love the giveaways and the topics covered.”
“The STJ tote bags are really great and the silver pens are a classy touch and nice surprise. This was a fun and informative day out of the office. Thank you!”
“I really enjoyed these sessions. Would definitely engage in more if they are offered.”
“Thank you for continuing to invest in SJU staff!”
“Thank you for organizing such an impactful event. I look forward to future workshops and the continued growth of our St. John's community.”
“The conference style during spring break was an excellent idea!”
Session I Descriptions and Presentations
10:15–11:15 a.m.
Unlock the full potential of Office 365 in this hands-on program led by St. John’s University’s Office of Information Technology. Explore the powerful features of Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Teams, Excel, and OneDrive to streamline communication, collaboration, and organization. Learn time-saving tips, hidden tricks, and best practices to enhance your efficiency. Whether you’re a seasoned user or just getting started, this program helps you work smarter, not harder.
Location: DAC 416A
Foster a workplace where everyone can thrive! In this program, hosted by our Employee Assistance Program, you learn practical strategies for cultivating trust, respect, and collaboration within your team. Explore techniques for effective communication, addressing conflict constructively, and creating a culture of inclusivity and support. Whether you’re a leader or a team member, this program provides actionable insights to help you contribute to a healthier and more positive work environment.
Location: DAC 416B
Learn how to support our students during challenging moments. Presented by our Division of Student Success team, this program equips you with strategies and resources to handle distressing situations with empathy, patience, and professionalism. Enhance your skills to create positive outcomes for both students and you.
Location: DAC 416C
Session II Descriptions and Presentations
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
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.
Location: DAC 416A
Location: DAC 416B
Boost morale and productivity with practical techniques to motivate and recognize employees and managers. Presented by an expert from our Employee Assistance Program, this high-energy program explores self-care, positive psychology, resiliency, and the power of laughter. Learn how meaningful recognition and nonmaterialistic gestures can make employees feel valued and special, driving engagement and success. Walk away with a toolkit to energize your team and create a more positive, productive workplace.
Join us for an inspiring talk by a member of our adjunct faculty, John D. Lin ’07C, who has shared his story on the TEDx stage. In this powerful program, Prof. Lin opens up about his life journey, demonstrating how he has succeeded not in spite of his mental health challenges, but because of them. With wisdom, humor, and authenticity, he reveals how embracing vulnerabilities can lead to extraordinary strength and achievement. Don’t miss this opportunity to be inspired and empowered by his remarkable perspective on resilience and success.
Location: DAC 416C
Session III Descriptions and Presentations
12:45–1:45 p.m.
The relationship you have with your manager is one of the most impactful connections in your career. Your manager is uniquely positioned to understand your work, talents, and potential. This program explores how to strengthen this critical relationship by identifying ways you can empower your manager to support and advocate for you. Learn strategies to improve communication, showcase your value, and build a partnership that helps you succeed and grow.
Location: DAC 416A
Great communication starts with you, and this program hosted by our Employee Assistance Program equips you with the tools and skills of a great communicator. This program covers the importance of first impressions, various communication styles, and giving feedback. This is a step-by-step program for making your communication with others the best it can be at work—and in your life in general. Remember, success starts with you and how you communicate with others!
Location: DAC 416B
Location: DAC 416C
Being well prepared to handle any financial crisis—that’s financial wellness. In this program, presented by an expert from our partner Fidelity, you learn how to prepare for financial challenges, prioritize your needs and wants, and balance paying today’s bills with saving for future goals. Gain practical tools to take control of your finances and create a stable foundation for long-term success.
Session IV Descriptions and Presentations
2–3 p.m.
Take charge of your career growth with this insightful program from the Career Services team. Learn how to identify opportunities for internal career movement, build relationships, and showcase your skills to advance within the University. From crafting a standout internal application to leveraging professional development resources, this program provides actionable strategies to help you take the next step on your career journey at St. John’s.
Location: DAC 416A
Learn how to navigate workplace complaints and conflicts with confidence and care in this program from the Human Resources (HR) team. Covering both bias-related and non-bias-related complaints, this program provides information on the tools and services that HR provides for addressing concerns. Whether you’re a manager or team member, this program equips you to handle challenging situations with professionalism and empathy.
Location: DAC 416B
The world and our workplaces have transformed over the past five years, requiring new strategies to adapt and thrive. In this program by an expert from our partner TIAA, participants explore the impact of change, reflect on their current circumstances, and identify ways to foster resilience and well-being at work. Learn how to manage yourself during times of uncertainty, support others, and rethink how you show up in today’s dynamic environment. By taking stock of where you are and focusing on the facets of thriving, you’ll leave with practical tools to navigate change with confidence and care.
Location: DAC 416C