Classified Professional Learning Day

8.30 am – 9 am

MEET AND GREET – Coffee, tea, and light breakfast

9 am – 10:20 am

Welcome and Opening Session

Dr. Jonathan Eldridge
Dr. Dana Emerson
Classified Senate
Classified Professional Co-Facilitators
Professional Learning Committee

Jonas Center

Workplace Safety Discussion

In addition to discussing the campus police department and its role for safety on campus, ideas will be solicited from participants on what their safety concerns are and how to address them.

Session Outcomes

• Be able to map out plans of action to respond to emergency situations
• Minimize risk for crimes on campus

Dustin Ruiz

Bldg. 5
Room 120

Sharing Your Voice

A dynamic session designed to empower community college classified staff to present their ideas and opinions in the workplace effectively. This workshop is tailored to help you communicate your thoughts constructively and confidently, whether you’re participating in meetings or engaging with managers and colleagues.

Session Outcomes

• Identify opportunities for input
• Create a collaborative work environment
• Enhance your self-advocacy

Julian Toro Solis

Miwok
Room 124

Achieving Financial Wellness

Learn the fundamentals of financial wellness to spend less than you earn and manage your finances for both your short and long term future.

Session Outcomes

• Understand what is financial wellness and why it is important
• Take practical steps to manage your finances better

Jeff Isley
Financial Advisor, Corebridge Financial

Jonas Center
Back Patio

Tote Bag Painting

Join us for a fun and inspiring Tote Bag Painting Workshop, where you'll transform a plain canvas tote into a unique work of art! This hands-on workshop is perfect for artists of all skill levels, whether you're a beginner or a seasoned painter.
The tote bags will be donated to COM Basic Needs, where they will be given to students for food distribution and then for books or whatever they choose!

Session Outcomes

• Enjoy a relaxed and creative environment where you can unwind and have fun
• Connect with fellow Classified Professionals
• Contribute to the COM student community by making a tote bag that will be donated for students to use

Mary Kesler

Miwok
Room 123

Gentle Chair Yoga for Strength, Flexibility, and Well-Being

Chair yoga is a gentle practice that involves performing yoga postures with the aid of a chair. Great for people of all abilities who may find traditional yoga challenging, chair yoga provides an opportunity to engage in yoga without putting pressure on joints or requiring complex movements. In this session, we will begin by using breath to come fully into our bodies, then move through some gentle chair yoga poses and finish with a brief meditation. Consider wearing comfortable clothing.

Session Outcomes

• Learn gentle ways to de-stress and relax your body and mind.
• Learn practices you can take with you to your home or office.
• Yoga improves quality of life by increasing flexibility, strength, balance, and sleep.

Meet at the outside of Jonas Center.

IVC Walking Tour

Join your fellow Classified Professionals for a walk to the Indian Valley Preserve and visit the Organic Farm and Garden before the afternoon sessions. This is a perfect opportunity to prepare for the upcoming WALKTOBER Challenge. Wear comfortable shoes and clothing. This session is open to everyone, and although it involves some physical activity, participants should feel welcome to move at a pace most comfortable to them. (Weather-permitting)

Session Outcomes

• Boost Energy, Improve Mood by Making Physical Activity a Priority
• Promotes Wellness with Colleagues

Melinda Durfee
Ron Owen

Jonas Center

Thriving in the Multicultural Workplace

In this interactive session, participants will explore the dynamics of culture through the lens of communication style and workplace collaboration. Participants will gain tools for analyzing their own communication style and develop strategies for listening to and responding to others in culturally competent ways that build inclusion and community.

Session Outcomes

• Identify various theories related to intercultural communication
• Apply theories of intercultural communication to one’s communication style
• Identify strategies for facilitating more appropriate, responsive, and culturally competent workplace interactions

Yashica Crawford
Colleen Mihal

Bldg. 7
Room 103

Genius Bar

Need help updating your passwords? Navigating between OneDrive and Teams? What tech / software questions do you have that you've always been afraid to ask? Bring your questions to this interactive session and get help from the IT Department to answer them. Also, come learn from Student Accessibility Services how to improve your tech practices around accessibility -- feel free to bring materials you'd like help making more accessible too!

Session Outcomes

• Feel more confident in COM service offerings from IT
• Understand how to get help with IT related items
• See projects the IT department is working on

Matthew Howard
Burton Schane

Bldg. 5
Room 120

Reorientation

Welcome to "Reorientation for Success," a comprehensive workshop designed for new hires and current employees who missed out on orientation or are just looking for a refresh. This session will equip you with essential knowledge and insights to seamlessly integrate into the vibrant community college environment. This session will touch on topics like institutional structure, navigating campus culture, understanding different department roles, and resources for classified staff that you may not know you have.

Session Outcomes

• Gain a clear understanding of the college’s organizational framework
• Become familiar and know how to navigate campus culture
• Learn about resources that are available to you as campus staff

Shawna Callahan
Julie Breakstone

Jonas Center

Join your colleagues for refreshments to wrap up Classified Professional Learning Day.