Vice President Mary Grace Almandrez welcomes attendees to the Office of People and Culture's 2026 Symposium. (Photos by Wainwright Photography)
Office of People and Culture’s 2026 Symposium Engages Faculty and Staff
Professor Hua Jiang went to the 鈥檚 2026 Symposium curious about what was happening across the University. What she discovered reshaped how she thinks about her own work.
“One of my most significant takeaways from the symposium was the breadth of ways engagement can be enacted across the University鈥攆rom classroom pedagogy and faculty communication to community storytelling and data accessibility,” said Jiang, a public relations professor and associate dean of community, culture and engagement in the . “The symposium demonstrated that engagement is not limited to a single discipline or approach; rather, it emerges through collaboration, creativity and inclusive communication practices.”
That spirit of discovery defined the 2026 Symposium, a two-day professional development event for faculty and staff hosted by the Office of People and Culture (OPC) in February. Nearly 440 faculty and staff representing 24 units, divisions, schools and colleges participated, with approximately 15% of attendees joining virtually.
The symposium’s theme of “engage” was intended as both an invitation and an aspiration to spark meaningful collaboration and support a university environment welcoming to all.
“To engage is an intentional effort, an openness that invites active participation,” said Mary Grace Almandrez, vice president for people and culture, in her welcome remarks. “The symposium reflects what is possible when people share their expertise, creativity and care for this institution.鈥
A Rich Program of Sessions and Experiences
The conference-style event offered more than 75 sessions across discussion panels, interactive presentations, express talks, creative works and poster displays. Presenters represented 18 units, divisions, schools and colleges. Livestreams were available for approximately 20% of sessions to accommodate varying work environments and locations.
Among the most well-attended sessions were those focused on meaningful faculty and staff engagement, organizational culture, artificial intelligence and digital tools, innovative pedagogy and productive conflict.
The first day of the symposium closed with a reception featuring remarks from Almandrez and a special performance of Indigenous songs from Adah Shenandoah (Oneida Nation, Wolf Clan, Haudenosaunee Confederacy).
Unique to this year’s symposium was a dedicated wellness block with stations highlighting well-being strategies and practices. Offerings presented in partnership with the Office of Human Resources included nourishment, movement, meditation, recreation, connection to campus resources and a low-stimulation room.
Connecting, Learning and Strengthening Community
For many attendees, the symposium delivered both professional insight and personal renewal. Erin Smith, an internship coordinator with , came away energized by the range of people and initiatives he encountered.
鈥淚 walked away feeling more knowledgeable about groups and organizations that are doing some amazing work,鈥 Smith said. “The variety of discussions left me with follow ups and action items that I will look to build on for the rest of the year.鈥
Jiang found direct connections between sessions and her dual role as a faculty member and administrator. One session explored how communication strategies can strengthen relationships within institutions; another demonstrated how media and culture can engage students in creative ways鈥攂oth directly applicable to her work at Newhouse.
During her remarks, Almandrez encouraged all attendees to approach their time at the symposium on multiple levels: tending to personal growth and professional renewal; making intentional connections with colleagues across campus; and sharing new insights with coworkers.
“Take what inspires you, what challenges you and what connects you over these two days and bring it back into your teams,” she said. “That is how we transform our community, one intentional step at a time.”
Lasting Impact
In a post-event survey, approximately 95% of respondents agreed the symposium environment fostered open and active participation, that they could apply what they learned directly to their roles, and that they felt more connected to the University community as a result.
The 2026 Symposium planning committee was co-chaired by Carrie Murawski, Ph.D., director of learning and development in OPC, and Gwen Pough, Ph.D., associate dean of strategic initiatives and Dean’s Professor of the Humanities in the College of Arts and Sciences. Co-sponsors included the Center on Disability and Inclusion, the College of Arts and Sciences, the David B. Falk College of Sport, Hendricks Chapel, the Office of Faculty Affairs, the Martin J. Whitman School of Management and the School of Education.
OPC hosts its symposium biennially. For updates on professional development opportunities, faculty and staff can sign up for the OPC Monday Memo via the .
