Since the incredible pivot that occurred on our campuses two years ago this month, the workplace has dramatically changed for all of us. With staff no longer all working together in person, we’ve had to adjust the way we communicate, lead, and build shared culture and connection with those we serve. Wesleyan University and Ithaca College have embraced (albeit cautiously) new approaches to work post-pandemic. Up to 70% of their IT staff are either partially or wholly remote at any given time. Both institutions have posted and hired positions with remote applicants who never have or will set foot on campus. Join us as we share our experiences working within this new paradigm. Data supports that higher education is joining the private sector in this model to attract and retain talent. Yet we struggle to define the approaches that will fully connect employees who are not present on campus. Are remote workers less "engaged" or do we need to redefine our understanding of engagement? Dave Weil and Karen Warren will share their approaches and facilitate a discussion about how supervisors and employees are navigating this new normal of remote, hybrid, and in-person workers, and share tips, techniques, and tools to help us all continue our journey from just surviving to thriving.
