Albany State holds 2024 faculty/staff conference

ALBANY — Albany State University held its 2024 faculty/staff conference in preparation for the upcoming fall semester. With the theme “Empower, Engage, Excel: Cultivating Collaboration and Connections,” school officials said the conference was designed to empower and inspire faculty and staff members to achieve their full potential and foster a collaborative and inclusive community.

The faculty/staff conference provides an opportunity for ASU academic and administrative staff to engage with one another. Attendees had the opportunity to participate in a variety of workshops, panels, and presentations that will provide them with the tools and resources they need to excel in their roles at ASU and beyond.

“We have to inspire a different generation of learners,” interim ASU President Lawrence Drake said. “The future of the work force will value what individuals know and what they can do. That’s why we prioritize offering a skill-based education that prepares our students for success in their chosen careers; we can become more than just the largest HBCU in Georgia. We can also be the best learning institution in Georgia.”

During the conference, Drake shared his five focus strategies that he said will shape the future of ASU and create a better campus experience.

The president’s strategies aim to make ASU a student-centered, disciplined, and accountable institution. They include assessing the ASU culture and its influence on campus and in the community; placing an intense focus on managing spending and utilizing resources; committing to student and people success with an expanded focus on professional development for faculty and staff; assessing ASU’s infrastructure for growth; and meeting the community where they are, harnessing the potential outside of the ASU campus.

This year’s speaker was Joshua Fredenburg. He discussed “Creating a Culture of Wellness: Nurturing the Mind, Body, and Soul,” sharing his insights on the importance of self-care and how it can be incorporated into daily lives. During his presentation, Fredenburg shared a three-step self-care framework. The first step is to identify the right self-care habits that work for the individual. The second is to create a daily routine that includes these self-care habits. Finally, the third step is eradicating barriers and integrating the self-care routine into life.

The 2023-2024 campus awards were presented during the conference. The awards are a testament to the dedication and hard work of the faculty and staff who go above and beyond to make the university a better place for all, university officials said.

Award-winners included:

— Staff Member of the Year: Elaine Hambric

— Faculty of the Year: Bettie Stafford

— Scholar of the Year: Erica DeCuir, Md Niamul Kabir

— Adjunct of the Year: Eartha Watkins

— Community Service of the Year: Jennifer Heyer

— Online Faculty of the Year: Tonya Champagne

— University Service of the Year: Frank Malinowski

— Emerging Junior Faculty of the Year: Sonya Mosely

— Emerging Staff Member of the Year: Zeporia Gilmore

— Director of the Year: Alexandria Bynum

Additionally, as part of ASU’s community service initiative, 78 bookbags filled with school supplies, toiletries, and comfort items were donated by faculty and staff to the Lily Pad Center. Faculty and staff ended the conference by attending professional development and networking sessions.

Special Photo: ASU