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Syracuse University’s Office of People and Culture held its 2026 symposium last month, hosting more than 75 sessions across discussion panels, interactive presentations and workshops.

An initiative to increase staff collaboration and professional growth, the symposium was held at Schine Student Center and Bird Library on Feb. 20 and featured remarks from Mary Grace Almandrez, the vice president for People and Culture, and a performance from Adah Shenandoah, a member of the Oneida Nation, Wolf Clan and Haudenosaunee Confederacy.

Presenters represented 18 different units, divisions, schools and colleges at SU. The event’s theme was “engage,” which drew faculty from different departments and schools to share research strategies and tips.

Hua Jiang, associate dean of Community, Culture and Engagement at the Newhouse School of Public Communications, said the event provided a “rare window” into the projects happening across the university.

“The theme resonated strongly with me because engagement is central to both teaching and research in communication,” Jiang said. “Engagement involves not only sharing information but also creating connections among scholars, students and broader communities.”

The symposium is one of multiple staff events held during the 2025-26 school year so far. Cristina Hatem, director of strategic marketing and communications of SU Libraries, said she takes advantage of the sessions to better understand how faculty can use campus resources like mental health resources.

Hatem attended a session on the Orange Survey to learn more about ways to improve the student’s experience based on the responses.

“The insights from that event are useful to think about what the libraries can do to support student belonging and retention,” Hatem said.

The collaborative atmosphere allowed for the sharing of digital resources and professional tips, Hatem said.

Hatem pointed to SU’s “Ask Orange Alumni” website as a primary example of a tool she implemented in her own department immediately after she learned about it. She later shared it with students to help them find internships.

During the symposium, faculty from the Whitman School of Management led sessions on workplace dynamics. Hatem highlighted a workshop the faculty held on productive conflict that featured real world role-playing scenarios.

“These types of sessions and exercises are valuable, regardless of your role or career stage,” Hatem said. “I appreciated having the opportunity, both the time and expertise, of campus resources for professional development.”

The symposium also addressed the human element of campus through a segment dedicated to “wellness.” Erin Smith, an internship program coordinator for SU Career Services, said the event effectively touched on issues such as staff burnout and stress.

Smith praised the wide variety of topics covered, which included everything from the Department of Public Safety to new museum initiatives. He mentioned the event aimed to keep the campus community informed about resources that are “otherwise overlooked.”

“I will admit that the wellness block was really well done,” Smith said. “The Office of Human Resources really tries to let staff know what kind of resources they have at their disposal.”

Smith said the symposium encouraged staff to use on-campus spaces for mental health and to “de-stress.”

Beyond well-being, the event also sought to empower staff to take on leadership roles within the university. Smith said he felt the symposium provided support for employees looking to launch their own initiatives or move up within their department.

“If you’re interested in either partnering or leading your own initiative or organization, this sort of event gives you the support and buy-in to know that you have the ability to do that,” Smith said.

In a post-event survey, approximately 95% of respondents agreed the symposium environment “fostered open and active participation among staff,” and that they could apply what they learned directly to their roles, SU reported.

Published on March 25, 2026 at 11:59 pm