Oglethorpe University recently held its first campus-wide “Staff Professional Development Day,” bringing together more than 120 staff members from across departments for a full day of learning, collaboration, and community building.
Hosted on campus and organized by the Staff Council, the event was created in direct response to feedback gathered from the university’s most recent campus climate survey. The goal was to address common challenges and empower staff to grow both individually and collectively in a supportive environment.
“The energy in the room was amazing,” says Ethan Hawkland, chair of Oglethorpe’s Staff Council. “Staff across campus were engaged and eager to learn. It’s always amazing to see what work can be done when the room is filled with collaborators from across campus who make such an impact in our students’ lives.”
The day began with a keynote address from Oglethorpe alumnus Randy Roberson ’97, Vice President of Leadership Development at the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO). Roberson drew from decades of leadership experience in higher education, sharing insights on the value of relationships, the importance of shared purpose, and the obstacles that often stand in the way of collective success. He encouraged attendees to be intentional about the way they build their relationships
Following the keynote, attendees participated in two engaging workshops led by Senior HR Consultant Ama Agyapong of HR Knowledge Source. The first, “Growing Together: Respect in the Workplace,” focused on building a culture of empathy and inclusion, emphasizing communication and mutual understanding as the basis for strong professional relationships. The second workshop, “Elevating Others: Leading on Every Level,” challenged staff to consider how leadership can — and should — be practiced at every point on the organizational chart, especially in the dynamic between managers and their teams.
Both sessions prompted open discussion, personal reflection, and actionable takeaways, providing space for staff to connect, learn from one another, and explore new approaches to challenges they face in their daily work.
“I’m extremely grateful to both Randy and Ama for sharing their collective expertise to kick us off for the next academic year,” says Hawkland.
The day concluded with a dessert reception, informal networking, and reflection, with many participants noting the renewed sense of connection and shared purpose they felt. Staff Council plans to use post-event feedback to inform future programming, with the aim of making professional development opportunities like this a regular part of the Oglethorpe staff experience.
With its focus on communication, respect and leadership, “Staff Professional Development Day” marked a meaningful stride toward a stronger, more unified workplace culture where every staff member feels seen, supported, and empowered to thrive.
