Staff Connections

The Staff Connections Committee‘s mission is to increase and enhance communication campus-wide, encouraging a sense of community and common purpose for staff. This year, we especially want to focus on utilizing strategic communication methods to empower staff even while socially-distanced.

To this end, we will be sending out surveys prior to each All Staff meeting to better understand with which issues staff are most concerned; survey responses will determine the meeting agenda. We welcome all feedback, and questions directed toward senior leadership will be posed anonymously.

The first All Staff meeting of the year will be held Tuesday, October 27, 9:00-10:00 a.m. via Zoom. The Zoom link will be provided along with the meeting agenda; please watch your email and future LU Insider posts for an update.

Staff Survey Link: https://forms.gle/YXwJjfvKsBBQuomA6

The survey will close the morning of Thursday, October 8.

Thank you in advance for your feedback! Your responses will help us ensure meetings are purposeful and productive. If you have additional questions or feedback, please email us at staff_connection@lawrence.edu.

The Staff Connections Committee believes in creating a stronger Lawrence community where staff is an integral part of the learning process. We believe staff should have the opportunity to create and develop personal and professional connections across faculty and staff, to voice opinions about their community, and to work with administration in order to foster understanding of the needs of staff. The Committee serves as a liaison to President Burstein and the additional senior leadership of the university. 

It is our pleasure to introduce the Staff Connections Committee co-chairs for the 2020-21 academic year: Blia Vang and Ashton Vicente.

Blia Vang joined the Human Resources team in 2018. Over the years, she has supported her department in many areas, such as internal processing of benefit programs, managing the Human Resources webpage, and assisting with projects and events. In her new role as Human Resources Manager, she looks forward to supporting other departments and being a resource to all. 

“I am excited to serve as one of the co-chairs for this committee. My goal for this year is to create new ways of staying connected as a community as we move through this interesting time together. I look forward to working and hearing from all committee members as we continue to create a stronger Lawrence community for all.”  
Contact: 920-832-6543, blia.vang@lawrence.edu

Ashton Vicente is going into her third year at Lawrence as the program and marketing assistant of the Community Music School. She assists each of the Community Music School’s programs in various administrative tasks and manages the Community Music School website and social media pages. She also oversees print jobs and marketing projects, sends all Community Music School email messages, and serves as the manager of the Allegretto Girl Choir. 

“My goal for this year is to work toward an even more tightly-knit Lawrence community that celebrates the diversity, strengths, and accomplishments (both big and small) of each individual staff member. I want to foster an environment in which all staff feel a strong sense of belonging as well as empowered and heard. I look forward to working with my other Staff Connections Committee members as well as all staff this upcoming year and welcome you to reach out to me as a resource at any time.”
Contact: 920-832-6632, ashton.vicente@lawrence.edu.”

If you are interested in joining the Staff Connections committee, you can volunteer on the Staff Connections webpage: https://www.lawrence.edu/info/staff
Please note that this committee is a two-year commitment.

Please feel free to reach out to Blia or Ashton with any questions or suggestions. Future information on staff events and resources will be posted on the Staff Connections page, the LU Insider, and the staff Facebook page.

We look forward to working together this year!

The spring All Staff meeting has been moved from April 23 to Thursday, May 28. Questions for President Burstein can be submitted to the Staff Connections email address to be asked anonymously at the end of the meeting: staff_connection@lawrence.edu.

All Staff Meeting
Thursday, May 28
9:00-10:00 a.m.
Warch Campus Center, Somerset Room

The Staff Connections Committee is holding two collections at the upcoming All Staff Meeting on Thursday, February 27.

Food pantry donations will benefit Lawrence’s own student food pantry. Items can either be brought to the All Staff Meeting or to Sabin House. Here are the items most needed at this time:

• instant coffee packets
• tea
• instant oatmeal
• full size shampoo and conditioner
• chapstick
• lotion
• ramen (esp. chicken and veggie)
• cleaning items

The plastic collection is being done in partnership with Trex – if Lawrence collects at least 500 lbs or 40,500 pieces of plastic film/bags within 6 months, Trex will create a recycled plastic bench to be donated to a local organization of our choice (to be finalized soon). Click here for a guide of qualifying plastic items. There will be a collection bin at the All Staff Meeting, and there is also a bin located in Brokaw Hall.

Thank you for your support! Together, we can make an impactful difference in our community.

Join us on Thursday, December 19 from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm for this year’s Ugly Sweater Happy Hour at Jim’s Place!

There will be some food, a cash bar, and prizes for Ugliest Sweater, Best Accessories, and a participation raffle announced at 5:30 pm. You must be present to win!

Stay updated on the event logistics by joining the Facebook event.  

*Event hosted by Staff Connections.