2025 Staff Leadership Summit Program

The 2025 Staff Leadership Summit will be held Thursday, September 25, at the Kansas Memorial Union. The theme is "Shaping Our Future." Please see below for the schedule as well as descriptions of the breakout sessions and biographies of the speakers.

Schedule at a Glance
Schedule of Breakout Sessions
Breakout Session Descriptions
Breakout Session Speakers
Opening Keynote Speaker
Closing Keynote Speaker

We encourage attendees to make a donation to the KU Campus Cupboard. You may bring a food or toiletry item with you to the in-person event. At their website, you may make a monetary donation or purchase an item from their Amazon Wishlist.

Each of the sessions held in both Woodruff Auditorium and the Big 12 room will be livestreamed, and the recordings will be posted after the event. If you wish to participate in the livestream via Zoom, the links to each meeting will be posted here on the day of the event.

Evaluation Form

Please share your thoughts about the Staff Leadership Summit with us. We invite everyone who attends any part of the event to complete this short evaluation form. It will be available from September 25 through September 29.

Breakout Session Descriptions

Listed alphabetically by title

The Art of Rejection

Taylor Jones

1:00pm, Alderson

Rejection is scary and yet- whether if it is for a job, a scholarship opportunity, or a relationship- we all experience it at some point. The Art of Rejection training invites participants to explore feelings and responses to rejection, how to accept rejection safely, and develop strategies to reject others in a healthy way.

Being Critical of What We Love: Facilitating a Blameless Retrospective

Jen Brockman

2:15pm, Woodruff Auditorium 

At the heart of every high-performing team is the ability to learn from challenges without assigning blame. This session explores how to facilitate Blameless Retrospectives, reflective team conversations rooted in the belief that everyone did the best they could with the knowledge, skills, and resources they had at the time. Participants will learn how to guide teams through retrospectives that emphasize growth over guilt, understanding over judgment, and collaboration over criticism. Leave with practical tools to create psychological safety, foster honest dialogue, and uncover actionable insights, all while reinforcing trust and accountability.

Beyond Compliance: Excelling Beyond Mandates

Ricky Pulley, Jr.

11:00am, English

Mandated reporting is our obligation to the university, but we believe that we possess the ability to do more. “Beyond Compliance” is a unique training for faculty and staff that utilizes the Jayhawk I-RISE values as a framework for communal care as a way to help us excel beyond mandates. Beyond Compliance is a captivating and distinctive examination of the way our values as Jayhawks and our human need for connection can help to create a culture of consent at KU and beyond.

Building Resilience: Supporting Ourselves through Compassionate Communication

Laurie Harrison

2:15pm, Malott

Experience a few activities based in Compassionate Communication to support ourselves during these challenging times.

Charting Your Course: Workplace Competencies for Successful Outcomes

Jonathan Morris

1:00pm, Centennial

What does it take to make good things happen at work when you’re faced with shifting priorities, resource constraints, or bureaucratic red tape? How do we persevere despite our bewilderment and frustration? In this brief competency-based workshop, you will develop skills to enable you to achieve successful outcomes...and you’ll leave with new tools and concepts to share with your friends and co-workers. 

Creating Your Song Amid All the Noise

Caitlin Day Wedel

1:00pm, Kansas

This session is meant to be a practical guide in reimagining your organization, creating realistic solutions to challenges, and helping to build a better workplace environment from where you are. Walk through the process we developed during our 2023 Reorganization and still use today. Together we can explore and laugh about the lessons learned the hard way-by just doing the dang work. We will explore themes like determining core services, challenging misconceptions, building greater collaboration, listening to the experts (your team members and stakeholders), working with what you have, and strategically thinking about what you need. We will even do a deep dive into a solution we created for internal onboarding, training, and development so you can see this process in action. This session is for anyone who wants to dream a little and make a positive impact from where they are individuals of all titles are encouraged, and teams are welcome.

Effective Communication for Crucial Conversations

Alesia Woszidlo

1:00pm, English

Want to learn a communication technique designed to improve the outcome of a crucial conversation? This session will introduce the Content Pattern Relationship (CPR) technique and teach participants how to use it and engage more effectively in conversations that are often dreaded and avoided. The CPR technique can be applied to any tough conversation that involves opposing views, strong emotions, and high stakes. 

EI in an AI World & How to Sell Yourself in an Interview

Kristen S. Helling

9:00am, Malott

This two-part presentation shares how to increase your emotional intelligence and human capacity while using artificial intelligence to amplify versus replace human capabilities. Think of AI like a power tool--it makes you stronger and faster--but as a human, you still bring the charisma, empathy, and judgment. The second half of the presentation will offer tips and skills to "sell yourself" in a job interview. Insights will be shared on how to prepare for and answer tough questions. 

Elevating the Employee Experience at KU from First Day to Every Day

Jeff Chasen and Kendra Ikenberry

2:15pm, Alderson

The employee experience is shaped by everyday interactions, key moments, and the culture we create together. This interactive session explores the full journey of being an employee at KU, from feeling welcomed to being recognized, heard, and supported. Participants will reflect on their own experiences, learn about the First-Year Experience (FYE) Program, and discuss the role leadership plays in shaping a positive and inclusive workplace. Leveraging behavioral science strategies, learn how intentional design and leadership engagement can create a workplace where people thrive and walk away with practical ideas to strengthen connection, engagement, and belonging across the KU community.

Engaging in Better Discourse – Navigating Tough Conversations

Kate Kemper and Stephanie Ruppen

2:15pm, English

Universities have a responsibility to develop students into more engaged global citizens. While we communicate in person and via technology every day, we often lack the skills, support, or confidence to dive into uncomfortable conversations with those we disagree with. “Better Discourse” is a guide compiled by Campus Compact to help universities learn, listen, and ask questions across divisions to find common ground and promote community. This workshop will help participants identify unsafe versus uncomfortable conversations, center relationships, maintain boundaries, and feel more empowered the next time they’re having a tough chat in the workplace. 

Executive Orders, Dear Colleague Letters, and Resolution Agreements, Oh My!: Navigating the Changing Landscape of Higher Education 

Ash Wilson, Casey Smith, and Lauren Jones McKown

10:00am, Alderson

This session will provide an overview of the current Presidential Administration’s Executive Orders, Dear Colleague Letters, and Resolution Agreements (EOs, DCLs, RAs) that are currently reshaping civil rights in higher education. From Harvard and Columbia to KU and beyond, we’ve seen and experienced great change and uncertainty over the last 9 months. From attending, colleagues will gain a clearer understanding of the current changes affecting KU from the federal level, as well as through engaging in activities to better understand how these changes may affect us.

Getting Unstuck: Small Steps, Big Shifts Toward Your Future

Gail Tiemann and Jeff Stolz

11:00am, Kansas

Do you ever feel like something’s holding you back, but you can’t quite put your finger on what it is? Like you want something to change, but you can’t get moving? You’re not alone. This session is designed for anyone who feels stuck—whether in habits, decisions, or goals—and is looking for a gentle, practical way forward. Together, we’ll explore:
•    Why feeling stuck is more common (and more normal) than you think
•    How to identify the invisible barriers that keep you in place
•    The power of taking small, doable steps toward change
•    How to recognize and celebrate small wins to build momentum and confidence
This session is not about overhauling your life overnight. It’s about learning how to move forward when you don’t feel ready or when life keeps happening around you. You’ll leave with some useful tools and a clearer sense of how to shape your future—one small, intentional step at a time.

The Hinge Point: Practical Strategies for Leading During Change

Paul Mintner

11:00am, Woodruff

When teams face change, they look to leaders for both stability and direction. This session will share models to think about when experiencing change, allow you to reflect on your personal experience with change, and also explore how to guide others through the uncertainty that can come with change while maintaining your credibility as a leader.

How to Make Better Decisions

Nate Meikle

2:15pm, Big 12

In this session we will discuss several simple, practical, and underappreciated ways that we can improve our decision making. Improved decision making is especially important when considering the words of Annie Duke: "Only two things determine the outcome of our life...luck and the decisions we make."

IRISE for KU: Integrating IRISE Values into KU Culture

Becca Grube, Dina Massoud, and Trina Weekly

1:00pm, Big 12

Led by three of the eight 2025 Staff Fellows in collaboration with the IRISE Fellows cohort, this session examines how KU’s IRISE values—Integrity, Respect, Innovation, Stewardship, and Excellence—can be more fully integrated into our campus culture. Developed in partnership with University Governance leaders, these values define what it means to act as a Jayhawk and guide how we interact with students and each other. Through research, best practices, and actionable recommendations, participants will explore ways to embody these values in daily work, strengthen community, and rise above challenges while honoring freedom of expression.

Lean Thinking for Everyday Work: Simple Tools for Big Impact

Gary Broils

1:00pm, Woodruff Auditorium

Lean Six Sigma isn’t just for manufacturing or large-scale projects; it’s a mindset and toolkit that can help anyone improve how work gets done. In this interactive session, we’ll explore two foundational Lean concepts that you can start using right away: process mapping and identifying waste. You’ll learn how to visualize the steps in a process to uncover inefficiencies, and how to spot common types of waste that slow down work and reduce value. Whether you're managing emails, coordinating meetings, or supporting a team, these tools can help you streamline your day-to-day tasks and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement. No prior Lean Six Sigma experience is required - just bring your curiosity and a willingness to think differently about how work is done!

Managing Workplace Stress Through Community Care

Kelsey Hunter

11:00am, Malott

In the high-demand work of higher education, stress and burnout are not just personal challenges, they're organizational risks. This session takes a strategic look at how self-care and community care (or a lack thereof) can directly impact professional sustainability, long-term performance, and retention. We will critically evaluate common types of workplace stress and trauma such as chronic stress, burnout, and secondary stress and how they show up in performance, engagement, and decision-making. In addition, this training will also explore the distinction between individual and organizational self-care, and how campus departments can cultivate a culture of wellness that yields resilience and innovation. Participants will leave with actionable strategies to manage stress proactively and create environments where both people and performance thrive.

Resilience in Uncertain Times 

Maja Holmes

11:00am, Big 12

This session explores how we experience uncertain times from an organizational perspective. In the session, we will introduce and practice distinct strategies to support resilience within our teams. The intent is to activate interdependence and embrace conflict as a positive force. 

Songs in the Key of YOUR Life

Derek Kwan

10:00am, Woodruff Auditorium

Music can be leveraged to support an individual’s wellness as they navigate their life. Participants in this session will be invited to conceptualize their personal soundtrack marking important milestones which spark meaningful memories and feelings. This framework has the potential to equip an individual to approach life’s challenges in a fun and productive manner.

Speed Testing “The Happiness Project” Methods

Bonnie Johnson

2:15pm, Centennial

In its 10th anniversary edition, Gretchen Rubin’s book, “The Happiness Project,” follows Rubin through a year of test-driving different words of wisdom, scientific methods, and recommended strategies for increasing one’s happiness. She tries out different methods looking for what resonates with her. We might not have a year, but we do have 50 minutes for some “speed trials.” We will try out 10 methods and consult our inner mentors. See what works for you!

Stewarding the Future: Leveraging Biodiversity Collections for a Changing World

Nico Franz and Natural History Museum Students and Staff

11:00am, Natural History Museum Tour (gather on the front steps of the museum)

Go beyond the exhibits! Step inside the KU Biodiversity Institute & Natural History Museum for an exclusive look at our collections, lab spaces, and research. Five simultaneous tours, each visiting a different division in Dyche Hall, will highlight how diverse species survive, adapt, and thrive in changing environments. From ancient fossils to modern marvels, explore the science of resiliency and adaptation with our incredible staff and graduate students.

Stewardship is More Than a Financial Mindset

Craig Alexander

10:00am, Big 12

Typically, when stewardship is mentioned, we associate it with spending our financial resources well. This is certainly one way to think of stewardship, but stewardship is much bigger than that. Effective stewardship creates a path to sustainability in our organization with our organizational mission at the heart of everything we do. It is no secret that KU is at a crossroads when considering all the challenges we currently and will face in the future. We need everyone to be thinking about how to get better every day. The path to sustainability and a stronger University of Kansas 10-years from now is not the sole responsibility of a leadership team. We need you! We need your ideas! We need change! Your ideas matter and give us the best opportunity to succeed at educating leaders, building healthy communities, and making discoveries that change the world. Join this session to learn about some practical ways you can impact KU!

Too Much Info – Not Enough Brain. Is AI the Answer?

Ed Hudson

11:00am, Alderson

This session will include a presentation and facilitated conversation about how much data we consume and the impact of AI. Will it help or hinder?

Transformative Leadership during Times of Change

Nick Stevens

2:15pm, Kansas

Over the past several years, Enrollment Management (EM) has undergone significant transformation, achieving measurable improvements while cultivating a culture of belonging and collaboration. These changes have been guided by intentional strategies for communication, staff engagement, and culture development.  This session is designed for leaders that want practical strategies to transform their unit’s culture and to bring clarity of focus during times of change.

What You Do Best When It Matters Most: Strengths-Based Strategies for Change

Jane Hughes

1:00pm, Malott

In times of change, the most effective strategies often begin with what we already do well. This session explores how personal strengths, our natural ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving, can serve as powerful tools for navigating uncertainty, building resilience, and shaping what’s next. Discover how your natural strengths can help you navigate change with greater clarity, confidence, and impact. This session offers practical tools for identifying what you do best and using it to shape what’s next, even during uncertain times. Participants will:
•    Discover how strengths offer stability and motivation during change.
•    Reflect on your personal responses to change and what energizes you.
•    Apply strengths-based strategies to support your personal and professional roles.

Your Personal Vision and Values Statements

Linda Luckey

10:00am, Centennial

Organizations—including the University of Kansas—develop Vision and Values Statements as foundational elements of their strategic planning process. These statements help define purpose, clarify direction, and shape culture – especially in times of change. In this breakout session, we will draw inspiration from that organizational practice to guide you in crafting your own personal Vision and Values Statements. Through reflection and conversation, you will begin to articulate what matters most to you and where you aim to go—professionally, personally, or both. This session is an opportunity to align your individual aspirations and principles with intentional direction, just as organizations do when charting their futures.

Your Voice. Your Forum. Your Growth. – The Staff Senate Path Forward

Ashley Kalatusha, Brian D. Moss, Jessica Chilcoat, Kim Conard, Marissa Marshall, Michelle D. Wilson, and Trina Weekly

10:00am, Kansas

KU Staff Senate exists to give every staff member a voice, a forum for collaboration, and opportunities for personal and professional growth. In this interactive session, you’ll hear from the current Staff Senate president and a panel of senators—both new and experienced—about where we’ve been, what we’re tackling now, and where we’re headed next. Together, we’ll explore how the work of Staff Senate connects to the daily experiences of KU staff and the university’s mission. You’ll leave with tools to overcome challenges, build connections across campus, and break down silos. Learn how getting involved in Staff Senate can spark leadership development, expand your network, and strengthen your connection to KU. We’ll end with a call to action—because your voice matters, and the future is built by those who speak up.

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Barbara A. Bichelmeyer, an academic leader in the field instructional design and technology, was appointed provost and executive vice chancellor of the University of Kansas in February 2020. Bichelmeyer, a Kansas City native, also holds an appointment as a professor in the KU School of Education & Human Sciences.

As KU’s chief learning officer, she is primarily responsible for advancing the university’s mission in concert with the Chancellor, administrators, faculty, staff, and students across the Lawrence campus. She leads the Lawrence campus in championing and furthering the goals outlined in the university’s strategic plan.

Prior to joining KU, Bichelmeyer served as provost and executive vice chancellor of the University of Missouri-Kansas City, a position she held since August 2015. She had previously served as executive associate vice president for University Academic Affairs for the seven campuses of Indiana University, as well as founder and senior director for IU's Office of Online Education. Bichelmeyer was a tenured full professor at Indiana University - Bloomington.

For most of her 30-year career as a faculty member and administrator, Bichelmeyer has examined the process of performance-based instructional design, and how technology is incorporated into classrooms in order to facilitate more personalized learning experiences.

Bichelmeyer earned a bachelor’s in journalism degree in 1982, a bachelor of arts in English in 1986, a master’s in educational policy and administration in 1988, and a doctorate in educational communications and technology in 1991, all from the University of Kansas.

Bichelmeyer has served as consultant for performance-based instructional design, technology integration, human and organization performance effectiveness, and evaluation of instructional and organizational development programs to numerous organizations including the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Indiana Supreme Court Commission for Continuing Legal Education, Procter & Gamble, Eli Lilly, Microsoft, Sprint, the United States Coast Guard, and the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

Chari became the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) and Senior Vice Chancellor for Human Resources in August 2024.  As CHRO, Chari is responsible for the strategic direction and operations of the human resources teams on all University of Kansas campuses. In this newly created role, Chari will be responsible for developing a comprehensive, progressive, innovative, efficient, and collaborative one-university HR organization that supports a culture of engagement, making the University of Kansas an employer of choice where everyone can maximize their potential and make discoveries that change the world.

Prior to accepting the CHRO role, Chari served as the Chief Human Resources Officer at KU Medical Center since February 2015.  Chari previously joined the general counsel's office at KU in December 2012. She is admitted to the bars in both Kansas and Missouri.  

Chari has extensive previous experience in the practice of employment law, including advising employers on human resources issues, conducting investigations, and defending administrative claims and litigation. Before joining KU, Chari practiced law in Kansas City, Mo., with Blackwell Sanders Peper Martin (now Husch Blackwell) from 1999 to 2003; with Seyferth, Blumenthal & Harris, LLC from 2006 to 2007; and with HROI, LLC (a subsidiary of Lathrop & Gage), from October 2007 to December 2012. Additionally, Chari served as law clerk to the Hon. Carlos Murguia at the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, Kansas City, Kan., from August 2003 to August 2006. Chari has a Bachelor of Arts in education and English from the University of Tulsa. She received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Law where she served on the UMKC Law Review and The Urban Lawyer.  

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