Staff Development Days
August 12 & 13, 2025!
It's time to gear up and sharpen our skills at the Eleventh Annual Staff Development Days Conference. This event is all about YOU – the dedicated staff who keep our college running smoothly daily. Mark your calendars - Staff Development Days is happening August 12th & 13th, 2025.
Volunteers Needed!
We need many volunteers to help us during this years Staff Development Days.
Volunteer Roles:
- Coffee & Chat Greeter
- Transitional Assistant
- Room Assistant
- Lunch Service Assistance
- Photographer's Assistant
Click here for more details on the volunteer roles and sign up!
What's in Store?
Staff Development Day planning is in full swing! Choose from engaging 20, 60, and 90 minute sessions across four focus areas:
Self: Foster personal growth, wellbeing, and resilience. Topics like mental health wellness, minfulness strategies, coping skills, and change management are welcome.
Compus & Community: Share your team's work and break down the barriers between departments. Connect names and faces. Create new relationships and find ways to collaborate accross the college!
Knowledge & Skills: Upskill through practical and technical skills, leadership techniques, communication tips, and process & procedure updates.
Cultural Competence & Social Justice: Build cultural competence and improve social justice in your role at Clark. How is your team using the Equitable Decision-Making tool? Shae ideas for creating a more inclusive workplace!
Additional Opportunities:
- Complete Higher Ed Works training
- Attend Power, Privilege, and Inequity (PPI) trainings
- Attend Supervisor Training Series (STS)
- Department celebrations and team meetings
*(STS) indicates Supervisor Training Series. These sessions are open to all but can be used as credit toward supervisor training hours.
Introducing: Notes of Gratitude!
This year we'll be setting up a table to allow staff the opportunity to write a note of gratitude to other college employees who have helped to make your day a little better. We'd like to use this opportunity to lift college employees up, one note at a time. The Staff Development day committee will ensure notes of gratitude are delivered after the event is over.
Participation
Clark College classified, part-time, and administrative/exempt staff are expected to participate in the conference unless they have made prior arrangements with their supervisor for an approved absence or leave. This ensures maximum attendance and engagement, contributing to the success and objectives of the conference and supports the Employee Engagement, Empowerment, and Excellence tenet of our college strategic plan. Classes will remain in session, but business offices will close to the public to allow all staff the chance to participate.
Faculty members are encouraged to participate voluntarily and can present sessions, with stipends available for presenters.
2025 SDD Schedule
View the full 2025 schedule and presentation materials here. Please contact, events@clark.edu with any questions.
Program Highlights
Look forward to attending workshops and trainings created by, and presented by, your fellow colleagues!
Here are some examples of the Eleventh annual Staff Development Days workshop lineup:
- Accreditation: Our Commitment to Quality
- Decolonizing Ukrainian History
- Real Talk, Real Response: Understanding Active Threat Incidents
- Self-Hypnosis for Meeting Goals
- Using your Employee Waiver to attend Clark College classes
- The Power of Color: Creating Intentional Spaces with Color Theory
Important Details
Open Offices: While most business offices will be closed to the public, essential services like the Security & Safety, the Bookstore, McClaskey Culinary Institute, Tutoring, IT, and Child and Family services will remain open.
Accommodations: If you need accommodation due to a disability to participate in this event, please contact Human Resources before the event at (360) 992-2105 or hr@clark.edu.
Refreshments
Coffee, tea, and light refreshments will be available daily at 8:30am.
Please note: We are delighted to provide lunch and refreshments during Staff Development Days. We have made every effort (given budget contraints) to accommodate most dietary restrictions. Participants are invited to bring their own lunch if preferred.
Lunch Details
Complementary lunch will be provided both days of the event. To support the college's commitment to sustainability, please remember to bring your own water bottle as drinks will not be provided at lunch.
Tuesday: Taco Bowls
Meat, gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options available. Provided by the McClaskey Culinary Institute
Wednesday: Pizza
Meat, gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options available. Provided by Champs Pizza
See You There!
Let’s make the Eleventh Annual Staff Development Days Conference unforgettable together. Don’t miss out on this opportunity for growth and community building. We can’t wait to see you there!
Clark College Staff Development Days Planning Team:
Vanessa Bural (co-chair)
Andra Spencer (co-chair)
Alyssa Montminy
Carolyn Stark
Bria Havlovick
Mary Chavez
Haley Tucker
Cath Busha
Maggie Li
Michelle Golder
Sandra Bush
Wendé Fisher