Countdown to Elevating Cougs 2024- Register Today!

We are thrilled WSU’s largest employee development event is just around the corner! With three and a half weeks to go, this event promises to be an inspiring and enriching experience for all attendees.

Elevating Cougs offers over 50 sessions spanning over two days, fully remote. Encompassing topics such as Leadership, Development, Wellness, Teamwork, Culture, and WSU systems and processes, there really is something for everyone.

Don’t miss our keynote and conference kickoff: “Creating a Culture of Psychological Safety: Unlocking Potential Through Trust and Inclusivity.” Presented by Carlee Osburn of Washington State Employee Assistance Program (EAP), this insightful session explores actionable strategies to build trust and inclusivity, learn how to create an environment where everyone feels safe to speak up, take risks, and bring their full selves to work. Unlock your team’s full potential by fostering a culture of psychological safety.

Sign up to gain access to the Zoom event platform and explore sessions across our three tracks:

Developing as a Coug/Caring for Yourself as a Coug

This track focuses on the enhancement of employees’ personal development including soft-skills and well-being. Sessions offer valuable insights for all WSU employees and provide strategies to support health and work-life balance. Consider attending one of the following sessions:

“Network Like a Pro: Unlocking the Secrets to Connect, Engage, and Thrive Fearlessly!”
Join presenter Angela Senter, for this engaging workshop applicable to professionals at all levels. Gain practical techniques and actional advice to navigate networking events, build meaningful connections, and advance your career!

“Thriving Together: Cultivating Positive Team Practices“
In today’s fast-paced work environment, routine self-care is essential. Join Coug Health professionals Arielle Wilcox and Bekah MillerMacPhee as they explore how self-care can be integrated into professional relationships. This interactive session will help participants navigate workplace struggles, explore leadership approaches, and outline self-care plans, enhancing networking skills and fostering a thriving team environment.

“Check-Up from the Neck-Up”
This interactive workshop will teach participants to evaluate their mental health, recognize signs of poor mental health, and learn healthy coping skills. Presenter Andy Song also addresses the origins of mental health stigma, strategies to overcome it, and ways to encourage seeking help from peers and professionals.

Leading as a Coug

Expand your leadership and team development toolbox with sessions designed for WSU employees who lead others at any level. This includes managers, supervisors, and department administrators. If you’re looking to advance as a leader or develop your personal leadership skills, check out these Leading as a Coug session offerings:

“Building Belonging”
This informative session presented by Elisha Hadrekopf, focuses on identifying characteristics of inclusive spaces, reviewing behaviors that impact belonging, and considering action steps to create environments where every team member can thrive.

“Leader as Coach”
This session offers a few key skills leaders can add to their leadership toolkit – including listening like a coach and asking powerful questions in order to support and grow your direct reports and teams.

“The Emotionally Intelligent Leader”
Emotional intelligence (EI) is more than just being aware of your feelings. It’s also about understanding and influencing others’ emotions. Learn how to develop these skills through your leadership.

Workday Success Stories

Learn proven best practices and success stories from your WSU peers to maximize your use of Workday. Customize your learning by mixing and matching sessions to deepen your expertise or explore new Workday functions.

If you work in finance, HR, grants management, or payroll, register for sessions in this track:

“Time and Absence Masterclass”
This advanced course for HR partners and Time Approvers covers complex time and absence situations, focusing on exception pay, leave without pay, and alternate work schedules.

“Workday Touchpoints: How Finance, HCM, & Payroll are Connected in Workday”
Discover the intricate connections between Finance, HCM (Human Capital Management), and Payroll within Workday, and how these systems integrate with other platforms across WSU. Understanding these connections can streamline processes, enhance data accuracy, and improve overall efficiency.

“Workday Reporting Tips & Tricks”
Master the skills to efficiently run, save, schedule, and locate reports in Workday. These capabilities will empower you to streamline your workflow, ensure timely access to critical data, and enhance your overall productivity.

Coming Soon!

Exciting new crossover sessions on Power BI and AI. These sessions will provide valuable insights into leveraging data analytics and artificial intelligence to enhance your workflows and decision-making processes. Stay tuned for more details!

Register for these sessions and explore all Elevating Cougs has to offer this year to enhance your professional and work life.

We look forward to seeing you on October 22, and 23, 2024 at Elevating Cougs!