Gustavus Professional Development Days
January 8 & 9 | May 13 & 14“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”
– Benjamin Franklin
GPD Days 2025
The Office of Human Resources invites all Gustavus employees to join in the many sessions offered during Gustavus Professional Development days, which will take place on January 8 & 9 and May 13-16. With the help of current Gustavus employees and a few outside experts, these sessions will allow you to engage with leaders on campus, explore a wide variety of topics, learn something new, and have fun along the way!
See below for more details about each session. All sessions will be in the 3 Crowns Room, unless noted otherwise. A few sessions will have limited spots available, so registration will be required and closed after reaching max capacity.
GPD 2025 Committee: Gwen Donev, Haley Ling, Jeannie Peterson, and Jenny Schmidt
- Please contact: Jenny Schmidt (Assistant Director, HR), jennyschmidt@gustavus.edu or x6315 with any questions.
Mark your calendar now!!
TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2025
Title: Colors, Cuts & Burns: Creating Stained Glass Art
Session Leaders: David Kogler
Location: 3 Crowns Room
Tuesday, May 13
9:00-9:50 AM
Learn about the tools and process for creating stained glass art using the copper foil ("Tiffany") method. Volunteers will help create a simple suncatcher, going through all the steps: cutting, foiling, soldering, adding patina, cleaning, and waxing. Attendees will enter a drawing for the finished demonstration piece and some other glass items.
Title: Crepe-Expectations: We're on a Roll
Session Leaders: Nicole Swanson
Location: Nobel Kitchen
Tuesday, May 13
Session 1 - 10:00-10:50 AM
Session 2 - 11:00-11:50 AM
Registration required. Limited to 8 spots per session.
Warning: This crepe-making class may cause uncontrollable cravings and a sudden urge to open a Parisian Street cart. Fear not, fellow flapjack flailers! If your pancake attempts look more like abstract art than breakfast, then "Crepe Expectations: We're on a Roll" is the class for you! We'll show you how to transform mere batter into delicate, delicious crepes! Forget flipping failures and batter blunders; we'll have you crafting culinary masterpieces faster than you can say "more Nutella, please!" Join us, and let's get this crepe started!
*In order to provide opportunity for more to participate in each of the interactive sessions, employees will only be allowed to register for ONE of the following: *Painting or Crepes* Thank you!
Session 1 Register Here (10am @ Nobel Kitchen)
Session 2 Register Here (11am @ Nobel Kitchen)
Title: Brand and Why it Matters
Session Leaders: Leah Wong
Location: 3 Crowns Room
Tuesday, May 13
12:00-12:50 AM
Lunch provided: Street Taco Bar
Ever wonder what truly makes Gustavus stand out? Clearly defining and communicating our brand is crucial for everyone, as it impacts everything from student recruitment to alumni and donor engagement. Join Leah Wong for an insightful session on all the work being done to study, define, and communicate our brand, and why it's important.
Title: Savi: A Financial Wellness Benefit for Employees
Session Leaders: Nicole Goebel + Savi Rep
Location: Virtual (Zoom)
Tuesday, May 13
2-2:50 PM
Through Gustavus College and TIAA, you and your family members have access to Savi, a free financial wellness benefit that helps borrowers navigate the complexities of student loans. With Savi, you can:
- Lower your monthly payments based on your income
- Get ongoing updates on policy changes that could affect you
- Attend live webinars or access support when you need it
- Save time and stress with simplified, digitized enrollment in federal programs
Join in a live webinar with Savi experts to learn more about this new program and find out how you too can take advantage of student debt consolidation and forgiveness. The average projected forgiveness of those currently enrolled is $24,500 per person! Questions? Contact Nicole Goebel in the Office of Human Resources. Savi Link.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2025
Title: Difficult Conversations Workshop
Session Leader: Jacque Christensen
Location: 3 Crowns Room
Wednesday, May 14
12-12:50 PM
Lunch provided: Pulled Pork, Chips/Dip, and Potato Salad
Has something been weighing on your heart or mind? Yet, you either can’t find the words or are fearful to address it? This session is designed to provide you with a template to hold those conversations, address your potential fears, and give you the courage to finally have that difficult conversation. Come join us to chew on your thoughts and some good food too!
Title: AED Training
Session Leader: Scott Reiten
Location: 3 Crowns Room
Wednesday, May 14
1:00-1:50 PM
Learn how to save a life with confidence. This hands-on AED (Automated External Defibrillator) training session is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to respond effectively during cardiac emergencies. Participants will gain a solid understanding of how and when to use an AED and follow proper safety protocols.
Title: Shift Gears with Google Drive: What’s New and What’s Next
Session Leader: Marni Dunning
Location: 3 Crowns Room
Wednesday, May 14
2:00-2:50 PM
As Gustavus modernizes its data storage solutions, it's more important than ever for employees to confidently navigate Google Drive and understand new best practices for managing work files. In this hands-on, in-person session, you'll learn how to access, organize, edit, and save your files using Google Drive for Desktop and the web. We'll cover essential workflows for both Google-native and Microsoft Office files, demonstrate how to manage your storage quota, and show you how to work offline when needed.
You'll also get clear guidance on where to store confidential or sensitive data and what the new storage changes mean for you. Whether you're new to Google Drive or looking to sharpen your skills, this session will ensure you're set up for success in the College’s new data environment. Bring your laptop if you want to follow along!
Title: Jigsaw Puzzle Competition
Session Leader: GPD Committee
Location: Tremendous Brewing
Wednesday, May 14
3:45-5:00 PM
Please note, this session is off-site at Tremendous Brewing. Plan accordingly.
Grab your co-workers and create a team of 3-4 people and race to complete a 300 piece puzzle the quickest. Check out more details about this fun session here. Prizes will be awarded to the first and second place teams!
Only the team captain needs to register. Register here by May 9, 2025. Full capacity = 14 teams
THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2025
Title: Canvas Art Painting
Session Leader: Karri Anderson
Location: 3 Crowns Room
Thursday, May 15
9:00-10:30 AM *Note: 1.5 hour session
Registration is limited to 40 participants. Click here to sign up!
*In order to provide opportunity for more to participate in each of the interactive sessions, employees will only be allowed to register for ONE of the following: *Painting or Crepes* Thank you!
Did you know that painting promotes mental health and improves your overall quality of life: Join a fun and creative session led by our own Karri Anderson as we create a one-of-a-kind canvas painting. Space is limited, so sign up today for a spot. Thanks to the Book Mark for helping to create and organize this event.
Title: How Gustavus Works: An Insider's Guide to Governance and Leadership
Session Leader: JJ Akin
Location: 3 Crowns Room
Thursday, May 15
11:00-12:50 PM *Two-part session*
Lunch Provided: There will be a short break from 11:45am - 12pm for participants to grab Pizza and get back to their seats before the panel session begins.
During this two-part session, Assistant to the President and Board of Trustees JJ Akin will recount learnings from starting as an entry-level admission counselor to working with the President and Board of Trustees, share information about College governance, organizational structure, and leadership decision making, then facilitate a panel discussion featuring several Gustavus managers representing various roles and divisions.
FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2025
Title: Reservable Rooms Tour
Session Leader: Jeannie Peterson
Location: Across Campus (Starts at Old Main)
Friday, May 16
*9:00-11:00 am *Note: Tour may go long*
Ever wonder where rooms like 2300 or 3300 are in Nobel, or which space in Beck you can reserve for a meeting? Join us for a guided walkthrough of nine campus buildings to explore the rooms listed on the Room Reservation Request form. We’ll highlight some of the most popular and unique spaces available. The tour will begin at 9 a.m. outside Old Main (Eckman Mall side). Wear comfortable shoes! We aim to finish within two hours, but timing may vary by building. Feel free to join for as much or as little of the tour as your schedule allows.
Please RSVP here, by adding the event to your calendar.
Give us Feedback! Complete the GPD Survey to help us continue elevating and prioritizing professional development opportunities on campus. Link coming soon.
If you have any interest in leading a GPD session in the future,
please contact Jenny Schmidt (jennyschmidt@gustavus.edu)