Latham’s address kicked off a day of activities, including Leslie’s Farmers Market on the College Green and more than 90 sessions that give employees a vast array of topics to choose from. Among many others, those included an interactive Q&A on cybersecurity, tours of campus grounds and academic and research spaces, faculty presentations on Earth science and robotics, community engagement opportunities at local social service organizations and farms, local beach and park cleanups, and sessions devoted to physical and mental well-being.

Workshop organizers embraced this year’s Staff Development Day theme, “Learn, synergize, empathize,” by providing participants the chance to learn, advance collaboration and cultivate empathy.

“Think about your own personal and professional lives and continue to co-elevate and collaborate with the colleagues here at Brown, because you know what, we’re in it together [and] we need each other,” Williams said during her morning welcome. “The passion and commitment of our staff just go beyond measure.”

Between sessions, staff enjoyed grab-and-go lunches at the Sharpe Refectory and provisions at the farmers market, which featured over a dozen local vendors. The day concluded with a festive celebration on the main green with lemonade, desserts, lawn games, karaoke and bingo.

Staff Development Day was organized by the Talent Development team in University Human Resources, which saw 1,732 registrations for the various activities, both in person and online.