MORNING SESSIONS (10:00A -12:00P)
Fun-tastic Day at Children's Friend
Join us for a day of fun at Children's Friend. Volunteers will be coming to two of our sites. Activities may include painting a wall, engaging in sports or gross motor activities, doing arts and crafts and/or joining in on playground games with the kids.
Darieliza Polanco and Sara Masri
Community Service | In-person | Morning (10:00a - 12:00p)
Location: Children's Friend, 153 Summer St. Providence, RI 02903
Refresh the Shoreline
Join the Ocean Recovery Community Alliance (ORCA) for waterfront/park cleanup around India Point Park. Depending on time, participants may keep track of the most common items found.
Ocean Recovery Community Alliance (ORCA)
Community Service | In-Person | Morning (10:00a - 12:00p)
Location: India Point Park, 201 India St, Providence, RI 02903
Volunteer at a Food Pantry With Progreso Latino
Progreso Latino (PL) began serving Rhode Island’s Latino and immigrant communities back in 1977. Since then, PL has grown into the state’s largest Latino community organization, serving thousands of people annually through over a dozen core programs and services. These include social services, a domestic violence program, early childhood and school-age education, senior services, youth development, adult education, workforce development, health and wellness, immigration services, financial literacy, policy and advocacy, and their food pantry work.
Progreso Latino needs volunteers to help at the Central Falls Food Pantry, which provides food to thousands of local families each month. They’ll be distributing bags of food to customers at this food distribution center. The project is held at the Knights of Columbus Hall at 20 Claremont Street in Central Falls. Be part of the team fighting hunger in one of the state’s most under-resourced communities.
United Way
Community Service | In-person | Morning (10:00a - 12:00p)
Location: Progreso Latino Food Pantry, 626 Broad St, Central Falls, RI 02863
MORNING SESSIONS (10:15A -11:30A)
A Practical Guide to Tackling Misinformation
Learn why we are all susceptible to believing misinformation and what we can do protect ourselves in this session led by Professor Claire Wardle, a leader in the field of misinformation, verification and user-generated content. Claire will also share some strategies for talking to friends and family who might be "falling down the rabbit hole" of conspiratorial thinking.
Claire Wardle, Professor of the Practice of Health Services, Policy and Practice
Instructor-Led Session | Hybrid | Morning (10:15a -11:30a)
Location: List Art, Room 120 (64 College Street, Providence, RI 02912) and Zoom/Livestream
Beyond Tables and Chairs: An Introduction to Event Planning at Brown
The world of events is ever-changing, and Event Strategy and Management wants to make it easier for you to navigate event planning at Brown by sharing the tools and resources they use. Learn about event planning processes that will help you manage events more efficiently, as well as the new community of practice for event planners on campus. This session is invaluable for anyone who plans events on campus or is simply curious about the work that goes into some of the University's biggest events.
Kate Vieillard, Director of Event Strategy and Management
Katie Capener, Event Manager, Event Strategy and Management
Instructor-Led Session | In-person | Morning (10:15a -11:30a)
Location: Smith-Buonanno Hall, 95 Cushing St, Room 106, Providence, RI 02906
Brown Employee Benefits 101
Whether you are new to Brown or have been here for decades, Benefits 101 is your chance to take a closer look at the programs and services available to you as an employee. This overview will help you brush up on the basics of Brown's health and retirement benefits, learn when you can make changes to your benefits and understand the importance of Open Enrollment. Participants will come away with the knowledge to support their health and financial wellness.
April O'Malley, Senior Benefits Specialist
Brian Dawson, Benefits Data Manager
Instructor-led Session | Virtual | Morning (10:15a -11:30a)
Location: Zoom
Building a Fearless Team
High-functioning and inclusive teams do not happen by accident. Rather, they are intentionally cultivated. Amy Edmondson, author of “The Fearless Organization,” says psychological safety — a climate in which colleagues feel comfortable speaking up to share relevant ideas, questions or concerns without the fear of being shut down or retaliated against — is necessary to achieve high performance and inclusion. While many steps go into creating a psychologically safe environment, one “best practice” step is to build and establish effective, living team norms. Join Director of Talent Development Judy Nabb and University Ombuds Julie Weber as they walk you through steps to create team norms with your colleagues and lead a discussion on the value of and connections between team norms, psychological safety and productivity.
Judy Nabb, Director of Talent Development
Julie Weber, University Ombudsperson
Instructor-led Session | In-Person | Morning (10:15a - 11:30a)
Location: Smith-Buonanno Hall, Room 101 (95 Cushing St, Providence, RI 02906)
Change the Way You Lead: Adaptive Leadership
"What people resist is not change per se, but loss.” This is a quote from "The Practice of Adaptive Leadership: Tools and Tactics for Changing Your Organization and the World" and a fundamental principle in the concept of adaptive organizations. During this session, we will delve into the model of adaptive organizations and change. Participants will leave with practical tools and techniques to assist them in leading their teams as well as their change efforts.
Sarah Latham, Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration
Instructor-led Session | In-Person | Morning (10:15a - 11:30a)
Location: South Street Landing, Multipurpose Room (350 Eddy Street, 4th floor)
Cultivate Compassionate Leadership
When you lead with curiosity, compassion and care, you can create an environment that not only moves the institution forward but also cultivates a positive and productive environment for employees. As leaders, we have an obligation to get the work done as well as create an environment where people choose to come to work because they believe in the mission, feel respected and heard and can navigate their day even when (or especially when) there is conflict or there are breakdowns. Join Executive Dean of Finance and Administration Sara Walsh for a discussion on compassionate leadership.
Sara Walsh, Executive Dean of Finance and Administration
Instructor-led Session | In-Person | Morning (10:15a - 11:30a)
Location: Smith-Buonanno Hall, Room 201 (95 Cushing St, Providence, RI 02906)
Cultural Humility and Working With Native Scholars and Communities
In this discussion-driven presentation, Tribal Community Member in Residence for the Native American and Indigenous Studies Initiative endawnis Spears (Diné/Ojibwe/Choctaw/Chickasaw) will provide some of the key understandings necessary to work with and for tribal scholars and communities. endawnis will highlight important terminology for Indigenous peoples and the context-specific application and nuance associated with each term. In addition, participants will gain an introductory understanding of the contemporary tribal landscape in and around Rhode Island. endawnis will answer questions throughout and share resources for further learning.
endawnis Spears, Tribal Community Member in Residence, Native American and Indigenous Studies Initiative
Instructor-led Session | In-person | Morning (10:15a -11:30a)
Location: Friedman Hall (on the Main Green), Room 101
Culturally Responsive Teaching with Brown's MAT Program and Central Falls High School
Join Katie Rieser, director of Brown's Master in Teaching (MAT) Program and David Upegui, veteran Central Falls teacher and author of “Integrating Racial Justice Into Your High School Biology Classroom" for an in-depth look at one of MAT's partner schools. Participants will travel to Central Falls High School, observe culturally responsive teaching in action, and speak to high school students about their experiences building meaningful relationships and relating rigorous content to their cultures and communities.
Katie Rieser, Director of Teacher Education, Senior Lecturer in Education
Instructor-led Session | In-person | Morning (10:15a -11:30a)
Location: Central Falls High School, 24 Summer Street, Central Falls, RI 02863
De-Stress With 5NP Acupuncture
Join Daisy Ferreira, R.N., and Tanya Sullivan, N.P., of Brown's Health Services to relax with the 5 Needle Protocol (5NP). 5NP utilizes five points in the outer ear to address physical and emotional symptoms, related toxic stress, drug and alcohol detox, chronic pain, anxiety, PTSD, depression, trauma, shock and more. In this session you will be provided with a comfortable chair to relax in and soothing music as Ferreira and Sullivan insert small needles in one or both ears. Read more about 5NP here.
Tanya Sullivan, Associate Clinical Director, Health Services, Nurse Practitioner
Daisy Ferreira, Registered Nurse
Demo | In-Person | Morning (10:15a -11:30a)
Location: Alumnae Hall Crystal Room, 194 Meeting Street
Developing Your Career Management Toolbox Part 1: Resume and Cover Letter Best Practices
Learn how to create a strong resume and cover letter that will help you stand out. This workshop will include how to highlight your accomplishments and transferable skills in your resume, and what to include and not include in your cover letter.
Anne Lipsitz, Executive and Career Coach
Instructor-led Session | Virtual | Morning (10:15a - 11:30a)
Location: Zoom
Everything You Wanted To Know But Were Afraid To Ask About Hospice & Palliative Care
The services and support of non-profit hospice and palliative care organizations go beyond most common expectations. In this session, presented by a hospice professional and a hospice volunteer, we invite participants to learn more about palliative and hospice services, as well as the ancillary supports available to patients, families and caregivers including support groups, grief counseling, dementia care and in-home/facility-based care for moderately to seriously ill individuals. We will focus on traditional understandings of advanced illness and hospice care as well as the unexpected ways these services can positively impact the patient's care, those who support them and the community as a whole.
Deanna Upchurch, Teaching Associate in Medical Science
Janet Isserlis, Assistant Director, Curricular Resource Center
Instructor-Led Session | In-person | Morning (10:15a - 11:30a)
Location: List Art, Room 110 64 College St, Providence, RI 02912
Finding Flow With Ink and Tai Chi
Throughout this session, participants will be introduced the Eastern concept of energy, "Qi/Chi," and its application to calligraphy and tai chi.
Si Jie Loo, Academic Department Manager, Department of Visual Art
Instructor-led Session | In-person | Morning (10:15a -11:30a)
Location: List Art Building 325 (64 College St, Providence, RI 02912)
Greenhouse Tour
Tour the Plant Environmental Center, the greenhouse facility located on top of the IBES building at 85 Waterman Street. Learn about what grows in each greenhouse and why and how this natural collection came to be.
Nicholas Vasques, Research Greenhouse Manager
Tour | In-Person | Morning (10:15a - 11:30a)
Location: IBES Greenhouse (85 Waterman Street)
Hair We Go!
Calling participants from hair, there and everywhere for a discussion on a very important topic: hair. Join Dolores Cox, executive assistant in the Office of Belonging, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at the Warren Alpert Medical School, to learn about hair of different races, backgrounds and ages. A registered cosmetologist, Cox will dispel myths, answer questions, discuss all types of hair textures and invoke an understanding of the emotions behind all things hair.
Dolores Cox, Executive Assistant, BioMed Medical Education
Demo | In-person | Morning (10:15a -11:30a)
Location: Friedman Hall (on the Main Green), Room 208
LGBTQ+ 101: Spelling It Out Queerly
According to national studies, 46% percent of LGBTQ+ workers report they are closeted at work, while over 50% of non-LGBTQ+ workers say they don't think their workplace has any LGBTQ+ people at all. With conversations about the rights of LGBTQ+ people increasingly in the spotlight, how can Brown make its community more welcoming and inclusive? Learn the importance of pronouns, how to use inclusive language, the definitions of "trans/non-binary" and what to do when someone comes out to you. This course will set you on the path to becoming an LGBTQ+ ally in the workplace and beyond!
Alex Mastromarchi, Grants and Contract Administrator
Instructor-led Session | In-person | Morning (10:15a -11:30a)
Location: Rhode Island Hall (on the Main Green), Room 108
Making the Most of Food Scraps
Participants will attend a cooking demo to learn how to utilize traditionally tossed food scraps. In this session, participants will be making a side of roasted carrots, and utilizing the carrot tops to make a "carrot top pesto" to toss with some pasta. This will be hosted by an executive chef and a registered dietitian.
Michelle Blais, Director of Wellness and Nutrition
Demo | In-Person | Morning (10:15a -11:30a)
Location: Chancellor's Dining Room, Sharpe Refectory Upper Level (144 Thayer St, Providence, RI 02906)
Mindfulness Unpacked: Finding Balance, Peace and the Power of Presence in a Frantic World
Life can be frantic, busy and full of challenges. Unfortunately, when it gets like this, one of the first things we often let go of is tending to and taking care of ourselves, resulting in an inability to care for others and our communities. There is a deep and long history of evidence suggesting that mindfulness can support us with combatting the frantic pace of life and the stressors that come with it. In this session, you will learn more about what mindfulness is and how it may help with building resilience, reducing stress and learning to live life with joy, compassion and presence.
Lynn Koerbel, MPH, Assistant Director of Marketing and Business Development, School of Public Health
Instructor-Led Session | In-Person | Morning (10:15a -11:30a)
Location: Friedman Hall (on the Main Green), Room 202
Movement for an Aging Body
Well, we're all aging, but this workshop is specifically for those of us who are really feelin' it — whether you're in your forties or sixties. The workshop will include yoga, breathing and dance stretches and strengthening exercises that you can use when you're in a chair at work or on a mat at home. This session will be run by an ex-dancer, yoga teacher and careful mover in her 60s. We'll leave time at the end to discuss our various aches and pains. (Just kidding!) Please bring a mat if you have one.
Nancy Safian, Academic Department Manager
Instructor-Led Session | Hybrid | Morning (10:15a -11:30a)
Location: Pembroke Hall, Room 305 (172 Meeting Street, Providence, RI 02912) and Zoom
Mysteries of the Solar System and the Development of Planet Earth
Since lunar samples were returned by Apollo 11 mission, it became clear that the Moon was formed by a giant impact of a Mars-size body onto the early Earth. Without the heavy Moon, humankind would have never emerged. Many other apparently accidental products developed, such as the ocean, plate tectonics, the magnetic field and Antarctica — all of which we needed to evolve and develop science. Join this session to learn about the mysteries of our very existence, the concept of fine-tuning cosmological constants and what environmental science can glean from these early developments.
Takahiro Hiroi, Senior Research Scientist & Spectroscopy Specialist
Instructor-Led Session | Hybrid | Morning (10:15a -11:30a)
Location: MacMillan Hall, Room 115 (167 Thayer Street) and Zoom/Livestream
Pawtucket Backpackers: Pack Bags for Students Facing Food Insecurity
Since 2012, Pawtucket Backpackers — a small, all-volunteer nonprofit — has been providing supplemental food to Pawtucket students facing food insecurity. Volunteers work out of Blackstone Academy Charter School using supplies provided by the RI Community Food Bank and other sources to pack a protein, starch, vegetable, sauce, two snacks and two oatmeal pouches into a plastic bag. Volunteers then load five of the bags into a travel bag, and continue the process until the needed bags are packed. Pawtucket Backpackers currently serves 500-520 students in 13 Pawtucket public schools, the International Charter School and Blackstone Academy Charter School.
Pawtucket Backpackers need volunteers to help pack approximately 500 food bags to provide supplemental food for students facing food insecurity. This food is used on weekends and school vacations. This is the last packing project for this school year. Volunteers will pack the bags that will then be delivered to 14 local public schools for distribution, including 6 schools with food pantries that take bulk food products to distribute to students and families in need.
United Way
Community Service | In-person | Morning (10:00a - 12:00p)
Location: Pawtucket Backpackers, Taft Street, Door #8 Blackstone Academy Charter School Pawtucket, RI 02860
Persuasive Interviews: Presenting Yourself in the Best Possible Light
Communication skills can increase opportunities for career advancement, and one of the most consequential ways to showcase effective communication is through job interviews. Distinguished Senior Lecturer in Theatre Arts and Performance Studies Barbara Tannenbaum will build on her prior workshops on persuasive communication in this session focused on strategies for nailing the interview.
Barbara Tannenbaum, Distinguished Senior Lecturer in Theatre Arts and Performance Studies
Instructor-led Session | In-Person | Morning (10:15a - 11:30a)
Location: MacMillan, Room 117 (167 Thayer Street)
Project Management for the PM Curious
Interested in learning about project management but unsure of where to start? Start here! Learn what project management is, what a project manager (PM) does and how to take a PM's skills and mindset with you into your day-to-day.
Bethany Warburton, Senior Information Technology Project Manager
Instructor-led Session | Virtual | Morning (10:15a - 11:30a)
Location: Zoom
Public Art and Hidden Gems Scavenger Hunt
Go on a scavenger hunt to find the amazing public art and glorious hidden gems throughout the Brown campus. Participants will be divided into teams and given a map showing the location of the exhibits and additional information. Since the hunt contains many amazing sights, each team will decide on their strategy. Will your team focus on just seeing some cool art? Will you attempt to visit the most exhibits? Will you explore one part of campus in-depth or visit many different areas? Will you stay outdoors? Will you to try to target the hardest exhibits with the most points or even attempt to gather extra points? Join in for a personalized scavenger hunt experience!
Alison Buckser, Director, Corporate and Foundation Relations, Advancement
Tour | In-person | Morning (10:15a -11:30a)
Location: Main Green
Speak Up, Staff: Raising Your Voices in Research
Research staff occupy a unique role in academia — they have a vested interest in the research outcomes that they study, but are often not included in the public discussion. At the People, Place and Health Collective (PPHC), we've tried to cultivate a research environment where staff feel empowered to be good messengers and advocates for the issues we study. We actively cultivate discussions among staff through writing groups and lunch and learns and encourage staff to pursue public opportunities like op-eds and testimony.
Abdullah Shihipar, Research Associate and Narrative Projects Lead, People, Place and Health Collective
Instructor-led Session | In-Person | Morning (10:15a - 11:30a)
Location: Smith-Buonanno Hall, Room 207 (95 Cushing St, Providence, RI 02906)
Strength and Fitness Training With Your Sports Performance Staff
Ever wondered how Brown’s student-athletes train for their sport? Get ready to sweat, stretch and move with the head coach of Strength and Conditioning as he takes you through an immersive, full day of training fit for a varsity athlete.
Brandon O'Neall, Head Coach, Strength and Conditioning
Demo | In-Person | Morning (10:15a -11:30a)
Location: Zucconi Varsity Center, OMAC (225 Hope Street, Providence, RI 02906)
Structural Trades Division Workshop
Swing by Facilities Management and join the Structural Trades team in working on a variety of projects. Help fabricate handmade 5x7" picture frames, laser-engraved to commemorate Staff Development Day 2024, and take one with you. Sharpen your structural techniques while helping to build a Little Free Library for the Brown Fox Point Early Childhood Education Center. Finally, join Structural Trades Manager Jay Hewitt to reinforce, cast and beautify a variety of objects with two-part epoxy.
Jay Hewitt, Manager, Structural Trades
Andrew Avery, Supervisor, Structural Trades
Demo | In-person | Morning (10:15a -11:30a)
Location: 295 Lloyd Ave, Carpentry Shop
Sustainability Initiatives at Brown
Learn what is happening with worldwide carbon emissions, how to calculate your household's carbon footprint and compare your footprint to others in the United States and worldwide. In this session, participants may consider setting one-year and five-year goals to cut their carbon footprint. Information will be provided on strategies for lowering your carbon footprint and incentive programs available to help. Attendees should bring an electronic device if possible so they can access the EPA Carbon Footprint Calculator during the session.
David Larson, Senior Energy Engineer
Instructor-Led Session | In-Person | Morning (10:15a - 11:30a)
Location: Smith-Buonanno Hall, Room 206 (95 Cushing Street, Providence, RI 02906)
Take a Mindfulness Walk on Brown's Campus!
Enjoy a slow mindfulness walk on Brown's campus with April Huth, a certified nature and forest therapy guide. The primary goal of the mindfulness walk is to support the wellness and health of participants through guided immersive experiences in a natural setting. During this gentle walk, April will provide instructions—referred to as "invitations"—for sensory-opening activities along the way. This practice can help to reduce stress hormone levels and the symptoms of anxiety, depression and fatigue.
April Huth, Digital Content Producer, Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs
Instructor-Led Session | In-Person | Morning (10:15a -11:30a)
Location: Main Green
The Unique Student Experience for Athletes at Brown
Attendees will leave this session with a better understanding of why the Brown student experience is different for student-athletes. The group will hear from the Student-Athlete Development Office, a faculty team liaison and a student-athlete who will share their perspective on the unique challenges student-athletes face as well as the value they add in the classroom.
Jen Miller-McEachern, Student-Athlete Development Senior Manager, Academic Services and Career Development
Instructor-Led Session | In-person | Morning (10:15a -11:30a)
Location: Friedman Hall (on the Main Green), Room 108
Time Traveler's Delight: Step Inside the Past at Gardner House!
Embark on an unforgettable journey through history at the exquisite historical guest house of Brown University's president, where every corner tells a story of bygone eras. Join Director of the President’s House for Event Planning and Operations Dionne Gomez for a captivating tour filled with antique furniture, priceless paintings and rich tales of the past.
Dionne Gomez, Director of the President’s House for Event Planning and Operations
Tour | In-person | Morning (10:15a -11:30a)
Location: Gardner House, 106 George Street, Providence, RI 02912
Tour Brown's Beautiful Grounds
Join Grounds Superintendent Nic Mol for a tour of Brown's extensive grounds, historical quads and ceremonial gardens. You'll learn how the Grounds team maintains it all. The tour will start at the Van Wickle Gates and will be held rain or shine.
Nic Mol, Grounds Superintendent
Nick Orn, Grounds Superintendent
Kelly Burke, Assistant Grounds Superintendent
Tour | In-person | Morning (10:15a -11:30a)
Location: Van Wickle Gates
Tour Chen Family Hall and Danoff Hall
Come enjoy the opportunity to walk through the newly constructed residence halls at 250 and 259 Brook Street, slated to open this fall. Designed for upper-division students, these five-story buildings feature two-, three-, and four-bedroom suites, communal kitchens and enhanced programming space, and will be home to three new residential theme communities: sustainability, interfaith and civic engagement.
Anthony Casello, Director, Design and Construction
Jay Sisson, Senior Construction Manager
Tour | In-person | Morning (10:15a -11:30a)
Location: Chen Family Hall and Danoff Hall, Session starts at 250 Brook Street Providence, RI 02912
Tour of The Lindemann Performing Arts Center
Tour The Lindemann Performing Arts Center, a new building that will support performance, teaching and research for music, theater, dance and more. With a radical, one-of-a-kind approach to spatial, acoustic and technical flexibility, this building is designed to inspire innovative, new art-making, enable unprecedented artistic collaboration and serve as a hub for performance at Brown.
Paul Dietel, Assistant Vice President, Planning Design & Construction
Chira Delsesto, Senior Director of Administration and Operations
Tour | In-person | Morning (10:15a -11:30a)
Location: Lindemann Performing Arts Center, 144 Angell Street
URI Master Gardener Presents Composting 101
Composting is easy. It can be large-scale or small. Fast or slow. Anyone can turn kitchen scraps and lawn debris into garden gold! Join URI Master Gardener Carol Horta to learn about successful techniques and tricks for composting at home.
Carol Horta, URI Master Gardener
Instructor-Led Session | In-Person | Morning (10:15a - 11:30a)
Location: Friedman Hall (on the Main Green), Room 102
Put Your Paws to a Cause
In this workshop, participants will learn about hands-only CPR. This procedure, also known as compression-only CPR, is a quick way to take action if someone is experiencing a cardiac emergency. The session will also cover information about automated external defibrillators, or AEDs, including what they are, what they do and why they are important.
Brooke Jewett, Community Emergency Response Coordinator, Emergency Medical Services
Community Service | In-person | Morning (10:15a - 11:30a)
Location: Health and Wellness Multipurpose Room, 450 Brook Street
Women's Transitions: Healthy Lifestyle Choices During and After Menopause
Menopause is an important transition in a woman’s life. Join Jennifer Zartarian as she covers the signs and symptoms of perimenopause and menopause, as well as health challenges during this time. She’ll end the discussion with evidence-based lifestyle and nutrition choices for the menopausal years and beyond.
Jennifer Zartarian ND, CNS
Instructor-Led Session | In-Person | Morning (10:15a -11:30a)
Location: Friedman Hall (on the Main Green), Room 003