9:45 – 10:35am
Destigmatizing Mental Illness within University Communities
Presentation by Sanae Elmoudden, Ph.D, Associate Professor & Assistant Chair, Communication Studies, St John’s University
Gen Z, the current university student body, is labeled an anxious generation. A Cigna study has reported that many of Gen Z reports loneliness far more than older generations (Cigna U.S. Loneliness Index report, 2018). As we all are aware, Covid-19 days worsened the situation. A new study on the effect of Covid-19 and brain health indicate that survivors suffer from long-term brain disorders, with anxiety affecting 17% of survivors (CBS, 2021). As we prepare to return to the University next fall, raising awareness on mental health and teaching de-stigmatization and acceptance of mental illness are paramount. The aim of this presentation is to show the leadership undertaken for a community called Appreciating Brain Diversity Community, including wellness campaigns, workshops and trainings. The community is a collaboration between students and faculty.
Selfcare Is Not Selfish! Cultivating the Relationship With Yourself From Surviving to Thriving In Uncertain Times. (Panel Discussion)
Panelists, of SUNY Rockland Community College:
Fabiola Riobe is the Associate Provost of Academic Innovation, Online Education, and Global Opportunities
Beatrice Bridglall, Dean of School of Education and Social Sciences
Zenya Richardson, Ed.D, Associate Professor and Program Director, School of Education
Monica R. Jackson, Director of Disability Services at Rockland Community College
Leadership is about relationships—relationship-driven leaders focus on people, not power (Little, 2011). The foundation of any relationship is the relationship one has with themselves. The proverbial saying “You can’t pour from an empty cup” demonstrates the urgency in which we must approach in taking the necessary steps to ensure that we can keep up with the growing demands of these uncertain times. Selfcare is not only a recommendation; it is a need, same as food, shelter, or water. Join this interactive conversation about the diverse perspectives of Women of Color in Higher Education at a two-year community college and how we address balancing the overloaded workflow and personal demands. During the 45-minutes of engagement, you will hear authentic stories of defiance, resilience, and lessons learned from facing obstacles. Most importantly, you will leave with a self-care action plan that can facilitate going from surviving to Thriving
10:40 – 11:25 am
Surviving “Burnout”
Presentation by Lipika Chablani, PhD, Associate Professor, Wegmans School of Pharmacy, St. John Fisher College
The presentation is inspired by the book “Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle,” authored by Emily Nagoski, Ph.D., and Amelia Nagoski, DMA. The talk will discuss the role of routine challenges faced by women leaders and the impact of the current pandemic on stress levels. The stressors will be classified into categories for easy recognition, and strategies for surviving “burnout” as shared in the book will be discussed with the participants. Finally, the talk will aim to provide a toolkit with various tools that women can use to mitigate stress and burnout overall. You will learn to identify the different types of stressors that influence the stress levels for women; design strategies to reduce or survive burnout; and develop a toolkit with various tools/ways to handle stress or burnout.
Real World Resiliency
Presentation by Debra Howell, Director of Information Technology Operations for the University Libraries at Cornell University
Resiliency is a crucial skill for personal and professional success. The pandemic year has certainly reminded us of the “power of a pivot,” and recent research shows a strong correlation between resiliency and well-being. In this interactive workshop, get an overview of the competencies that make up resiliency: self-awareness, self-regulation, optimism, mental agility, strength of character, and connection. Then, apply these competencies to help develop a resilient mindset that is the “secret sauce” that separates those who grow from those who plateau. Participants will then learn a set of tools that will enhance their effectiveness and well-being by building their personal resilience; including an understanding of the connection between well-being and resiliency.