Steps to Leaps Discussion and Dialogues series to focus on 'Summer Introspection and Renewal'

The Office of the Vice Provost for Student Life will continue its virtual Steps to Leaps Discussion and Dialogues series this summer with topics related to the theme of "Summer Introspection and Renewal – We Need a Break."

The presentations, which are geared toward faculty and staff, are listed below. The deadline to register is 5 p.m. the day before the scheduled presentation.

Today (June 10), 1-2 p.m.: "Building Grit by Practicing Mindfulness and Self-care"
It has been a long academic year. Let's start the summer off reflecting on the ways we can practice mindfulness and self-care to be the best versions of ourselves entering this fall semester. Join Andy O'Neall, staff therapist at Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), as he provides examples of mindfulness exercises and talks about what we can all do to use them in our daily lives. Click here to RSVP for June 10.

June 15 (Tu), 9-10 a.m.: "How Self-care Impacts Leadership"
When you are run-down, your students recognize that and it can have an impact on how you lead them. Join Stephanie Knight, director of leadership programs in Purdue’s Leadership and Professional Development Initiative, and Will Evans, senior assistant director of wellness programs in Recreation & Wellness, for a discussion about the relationship between self-care and leadership. Click here to RSVP for June 15. 

June 29 (Tu) , 9-10 a.m.: "How to Rebuild Your Professional Network"
We've spent the last year apart. Now that we're coming back together, have you thought about how you'll rebuild those networks? Where do you start? How do you engage in this in-between space, not quite back to normal but back in the same space with colleagues? Come join Lauren Ratcliff and Matt Wade, both business partners in Human Resources, for a discussion about rebuilding your professional network. Click here to RSVP for June 29. 

July 19 (M), 9-10 a.m.: "Examining Your Financial Well-being After a Pandemic"
Have you thought about the impact of the pandemic on your own financial well-being? Have you set up an appointment with a Purdue Fidelity representative to talk it through? There are so many issues to think through about your financial well-being after a pandemic. Come hear from Andy Marsh, a Purdue Fidelity representative, about the things you should be thinking about and considering as you navigate your finances post-pandemic. Click here to RSVP for July 19. 

July 21 (W), 9-10 a.m.: "COVID and the Fall Semester – A TBD Conversation"
We know that there will be policies and practices implemented between now and the beginning of the fall semester related to the COVID pandemic. This time will be held to discuss the impact of these policies and how they will affect staff, faculty and students. Join Katie Sermersheim, associate vice provost and dean of students, along with other invited guests to discuss all of this. Click here to RSVP for July 21.

Recordings of the presentations (except for July 19) also will be made available online. BoilerKey is required for access.

Steps to Leaps is a collaborative effort to foster lifelong habits and promote a growth mindset in the areas of well-being, leadership and professional development, impact, network building and grit. Steps to Leaps offers goal setting, action planning, worksheets, short motivational videos and more for self-assessment or facilitator-led assessments to help students celebrate their strengths while learning paths to improvement. Steps to Leaps was created by students for students under the care and direction of the Office of the Provost and is aligned with long-term University goals under the Provost’s Road Map for Transformative Undergraduate Education.

To learn more about Steps to Leaps, access resources and see student-focused events, visit purdue.edu/stepstoleaps.