Save the Date: RISE Professional Development Retreat

Publish Date

2026-01-09

2026 RISE Professional Development Retreat

This year’s RISE Professional Development Retreat, set for Feb. 6, will introduce and support the CARE Framework, a university-wide approach that focuses on creating a culture of caring and strengthening student-centered practices through Communication, Action, Respect and Empathy.

Sessions will be offered both in the morning and afternoon, with a shared keynote lunch experience for all participants.

New this year: Participants do not have to pre-register for breakout sessions; however, for planning purposes, please indicate when registering which breakout sessions you are most interested in attending. On the day of the retreat, you may attend up to two sessions at any time you prefer. Seating will be available on a first come, first served basis.

Breakout sessions will be offered at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. in University Hall. Three sessions will be offered each hour, and morning sessions will be repeated in the afternoon. Full descriptions of each breakout session are below.

Thank you to O'Shea Builders for its ongoing financial support of RISE.

RISE Retreat Agenda & Session Descriptions

Activity Time Location	Description
Registration & Opening Energizers 9-9:45 a.m. Student Union Ballroom	Check in at the registration table, grab some coffee and join your colleagues for a fun opportunity to start off your day with a positive mindset.
A Drop for Your Bucket \| Dr. Jamarco Clark 9:15 a.m. Student Union Ballroom	Begin your RISE experience by reflecting on what it means to truly care within our campus community. Think of someone at UIS who, through your lens, exemplifies care and compassion in their work or interactions. As we kick off the day, be ready to “give them a drop in their bucket”—a simple act of recognition that reinforces the culture of care we strive to build together.
Breakout Sessions (each participant may attend 2) 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. UHB	Exact times and room numbers will be communicated closer to the retreat date. Each session will be offered twice — once in the morning and once in the afternoon. If you do not register at the 9 a.m. opening event, please visit the Registration Table in the UHB first-floor concourse 10 minutes before your first session, so the organizers may take your attendance.
	AI as a Communication Partner: Tools for Clear, Consistent, and Timely Action \| Kara McElwrath & Jessica Baumberger This interactive session explores how artificial intelligence can support staff and faculty in communicating more clearly, consistently, and efficiently. Participants will learn how AI tools can help draft messages, maintain a consistent tone, and reduce response time. The session will also highlight practical ways to use AI for follow-through, including reminders, task automation, and information retrieval, allowing participants to free up time while staying responsive and accountable. Follow Through: Building Trust Through Accountability \| Dr. Travis Bland This session will focus on setting realistic expectations, meeting deadlines, and communicating delays or changes effectively. Teamwork & Respect \| Ann Comerford This interactive presentation will explore how respect forms the foundation of effective teamwork. Participants will learn communication behaviors that build trust, strategies for creating a positive team culture, and methods for handling conflict respectfully. Engaging team building activities will reinforce key points. The session will emphasize that every team member contributes to a respectful environment where people feel valued, heard and supported. Student Voices at UIS \| Student Panel moderated by James Koeppe This session will feature a student panel representing a wide range of perspectives across UIS who will share why they chose UIS, what they value, what they would change, and how AI fits into their daily lives. Participants will also have time for Q&A. Creating Experiences that Matter — Lessons from Industry Partners \| Panel moderated by keynote speaker Dr. Celina Peerman This dynamic panel will bring together customer service experts from three leading Springfield businesses to share insights on creating exceptional experiences that foster trust, loyalty, and satisfaction. Panelists will discuss strategies for building strong relationships, responding effectively to challenges, and cultivating a culture of care—principles that translate seamlessly from the business world to higher education. Attendees will gain practical ideas for elevating service to students and colleagues, learning how intentional actions and consistent follow-through can transform everyday interactions into meaningful experiences. Cultivating Other-Awareness & Its Contribution to Workplace Psychological Safety \| Dr. Jim Klein By cultivating "other-awareness" in the workplace, we can impact psychological safety and productivity in the workplace. The active fostering of empathy, inclusion and openness contributes to coworkers feeling seen and valued. This transparency encourages risk-taking, speaking up, sharing, and humility minus the fear of retaliation and/or punishment. The intersection of these dynamics can contribute to better collaboration, innovation, and team performance.
Lunch, Keynote Address and Chancellor’s Thinker Series chat with Chancellor Gooch 12:15-1:45 p.m. Student Union Ballroom	Enjoy lunch with other RISE participants while hearing from keynote speaker Dr. Celina Peerman, an organizational psychologist who will speak on “Leading with CARE: Emotional Intelligence and the Power of Empathy in Higher Education.” Following her address, she will join Chancellor Gooch for a Chancellor’s Thinker Series discussion on “A Call to Think: How CARE shapes learning and leadership.” Participants must RSVP for lunch via the registration form.