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Lunch and Learn: Virtual Dialogue Series

The Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion presents a soft launch of lunch and learn sessions which we hope to take place throughout the academic year when we are able to safely come together in person. These professional development workshops are interactive and geared towards graduate students, post-docs, faculty and staff.

In honoring our commitment to serve as a resource and create a space for commUNITY and professional development during this time of COVID-19, we are going to start with a Virtual Dialogue Series to support you and your work, now and always. Due to the tremendous response to our Thursday sessions in April, we are moving to offer even more sessions in May recognizing the need. They will take place on Tuesdays-Thursdays in May. Feel free to grab your food and join us to “lunch and learn.”

Please RSVP 48 hours in advance of the session(s) to ensure you receive the Zoom link in time. See below for more details and session descriptions.

RSVP at the bottom of this page.

COMMUNITY MINDFULNESS MEDITATION SESSION

By: Larisa Gavrilova, Ph.D. Candidate
Wednesdays from 4:00pm – 4:45pm from May 6th through May 27th (RSVP below)

We can help each other move through these challenging times. This online group practice focuses on calming our mind and relaxing, reconnecting with our inner self, and provides a place to simply be in a welcoming environment as we sit together in a community setting. Guided meditation instruction will be given. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced meditator, you are warmly invited to join us!

*Weekly community mindfulness meditation sessions take place Wednesdays from 4:00pm – 4:45pm from May 6th through May 27th (RSVP below)

THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON MENTAL HEALTH AND WORK-LIFE INTEGRATION

By: Tania Gonzalez, Ph.D., Associate Director, Counseling and Psychological Services and Armando Contreras, Assistant Dean of Students
May 26, 2020   1:00pm-2:00pm

In a recent KFF poll, nearly half (45%) of adults in the U.S. reported their mental health has been negatively impacted due to stress and worry over COVID-19. Social isolation, financial insecurity, family/relationship conflict and adjustment to remote work are some examples of what many are trying to navigate during these challenging times. Please join us in a discussion about the impact COVID-19 has had on our mental health. As a campus community, we will engage in supportive conversation, as we explore challenges and highlight resources available to strengthen our mental and emotional well-being.

DEVELOPING CONFIDENCE AS A TOOL FOR RESILIENCE & WELL-BEING

By: Jess Evora, Associate Director, The Souza Leadership Center and Andrea P. Tafolla, Coordinator, Community Engagement Center
May 28, 2020  1:00pm-2:00pm 

Both your confidence and self-esteem are not actual character traits. They are states of being that must be consistently nurtured, in the same way your physical health and mental health must be nurtured. Without practicing consistent habits, your confidence and self-esteem will retreat deep inside you and become out of reach. This session will provide a brief overview behind the science of confidence, and discuss how your level of confidence is connected to both resilience and overall well-being. We’ll then discuss strategies you can begin right away to increase your confidence and your ability to remain resilient in challenging times.

 

RSVP

You can select multiple options. Zoom link will be provided 24 hours in advance of the session.

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