It’s your friendly Staff Council president again and happy October!
In connection with World Mental Health Day, which is celebrated on Oct. 10, you may have noticed vendors set up in Havener Center for the mental health resource fair on Monday, Oct. 9, or the extra furry friends on the lawn in front of Toomey Hall on Friday, Oct. 13. The team over at student well-being put together several events emphasizing mental health for Mental Well-being Awareness Week.
Mental health awareness plays a very important role in promoting mental well-being, reducing stigma, advocating for better mental health services, and ultimately improving the quality of life for individuals and communities. It encourages open dialogue, support networks, and prioritizing mental health, making it an important annual observance.
Remember that you cannot pour from an empty cup. Mental health awareness helps to empower each of us to take charge of our own mental well-being. It encourages self-assessment and developing strategies for maintaining good mental health.
At S&T, we have an array of invaluable resources at your disposal. You can discover a few of these in the Staff Success Center update below.
Let's look after ourselves so we can be there for others.
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Jackie Sansone Staff Council President
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Department Spotlight: Student well-being
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The heart of our campus's well-being ecosystem is student well-being. At the core of every educational institution is a commitment to nurturing its students' academic growth and holistic well-being. Student well-being embodies this dedication, providing a nurturing and supportive environment that empowers our students and the S&T community to thrive.
Student well-being provides counseling services, health promotion initiatives and prevention programs to empower the S&T community to thrive and enhance personal, academic and professional success.
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Staff Spotlight: Sammatha Yelton
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This month's Staff Spotlight introduces you to Sammatha Yelton from student support and community standards. Samm has a rich history of 16 years with Missouri S&T. Over the years, she's contributed her expertise to various departments, including residential life, career opportunities and employer relations (COER) and experiential learning.
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Fall Staff Appreciation Day is Oct. 31
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In appreciation for the work and dedication of S&T staff, Staff Council invites all staff to join them for Fall Staff Appreciation Day 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 31, at the Jack Carney Puck and Plaza. In case of inclement weather, the event will be held in the Havener Center atrium.
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Pre-order your staff shirt
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Missouri S&T Staff Council is selling staff T-shirts and sweatshirts. Color choices are green and gray (sizes S to 2X) in all styles. Limited styles are available in sizes 3X to 5X.
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Support local K-12 student lunches
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Staff Council is launching a campaign to collect donations for K-12 school lunches to support students in need. Many children struggle to access nutritious meals, which affects their education and overall well-being. By contributing to this cause, you can help ensure that no child goes to school hungry. Your generosity can empower these students to thrive academically and socially.
Join us to make a positive impact on the future of our community.
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Volunteers needed for TEDx
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TEDxMissouri S&T seeks volunteers to help with the show on Thursday, Oct. 26. Volunteers will receive a TEDxMissouri S&T T-shirt. If you’d like to volunteer, sign up for a shift online.
For more information, contact Melanie Keeney, director of outreach and engagement, at mkeeney@mst.edu.
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Commencement ambassadors needed for December ceremonies
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Come and share the joy as our graduates and their families celebrate this culminating event. You’re invited to join the celebration by volunteering as a commencement ambassador. Commencement ambassadors will help guests to their seats, answer questions, guide graduates and maintain a positive atmosphere for families and friends of graduates.
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Employee Resource Groups announced
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In September, the strategic diversity initiatives team sent a survey to employees regarding a new initiative, Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). ERGs are groups of volunteers who share concerns and characteristics. The groups meet to network, participate in personal and career development, and create a sense of belonging for members who are demographically underrepresented in the workplace.
The first two ERGs will be “40 and Older Professionals” and “Women Professionals.” While these groups will have targeted material toward the specific group, all are welcome and encouraged to attend.
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From the Staff Success Center
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September employee service milestones
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Congratulations to Le Wang for 15 years of service!
Check out other milestone employees honored in eConnection and be sure to congratulate these employees when you see them.
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Take charge of your well-being
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Here are some resources for your mental, physical, and occupational well-being.
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The Employee Assistance Program features a collection of tools, resources and counseling services that support emotional wellness. S&T employees can take advantage of two programs, including Optum Live and Work Well, and ComPsych. Each program is available 24/7 and provides three free counseling sessions per issue for employees and their household members.
The Employee Assistance Program also offers virtual sessions on topics such as well-being parenting, stress management and more. Check out the sessions on Percipio.
Find more information on these programs on the Employee Assistance Program website.
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Staff and Faculty Champions host coffee social for students
During Mental Well-Being Awareness Week, the Staff Success Center invited our Staff and Faculty Champions to host a coffee social for students to meet the designated Champions for Mental Well-Being. Turnout was great and the students got a chance to learn more about the champions in an informal, fun setting.
Champions are employees trained to support their own well-being and the well-being of fellow staff members or students. If you’re interested in becoming a Champion or would like more information on the program, please contact student well-being at wellbeing@mst.edu.
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Sign up for Real Appeal
Adults enrolled in a UM System sponsored medical insurance plan can sign-up for a personalized online weight-loss program. Visit umissouri.realappeal.com for more information or to register for the program.
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S&T employees get moving with Marathon in a Month
The October Marathon in a Month challenge continues! Missouri S&T has already logged over 1,453 miles this month, which puts S&T at 64% of our goal. Anyone who meets the goal of 26.5 miles during the month of October will automatically be entered into a prize drawing.
While the registration window is closed for this challenge, the Staff Success Center still encourages employees to get out and enjoy the fall weather.
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Prizes for the October Marathon in a Month challenge, courtesy of the Staff Success Center.
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If you have ideas on how we can better support our employees’ emotional and physical wellness, please email Simone Waldon, Staff Success Center manager, at waldons@mst.edu.
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Mark your calendars for UM System Staff Development Week
The University of Missouri System’s Staff Development Week is Monday, Nov. 6, through Thursday, Nov. 9. During this week, staff come together and take time for personal and professional development. Most sessions will be held via Zoom, so be on the lookout for session information on Percipio.
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Learn how to promote yourself and S&T on LinkedIn
LinkedIn is the world’s largest online professional network. Join Andrew Sommer, senior business intelligence consultant for finance and operations, in a hands-on demonstration of how to leverage LinkedIn for professional development and networking. This next installment of the S&T Show-Me Series will be at 10-11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24, and 2-3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26.
Register on Percipio.
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Explore the exciting events happening at S&T in the upcoming weeks.
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Get involved with Staff Council
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The next Staff Council meeting is at 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 9, on Zoom. Everyone is welcome to attend.
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Staff Council is a volunteer organization dedicated to supporting S&T staff. If you would like to help out by volunteering, please submit the volunteer form online.
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Missouri University of Science and Technology
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