Professional Development and Empower Hour
The Professional Development and Empower Hour Program is responsible for:
- Promoting organizational and professional development opportunities to foster the growth and development of our staff by enhancing staff expertise and competencies.
- Host ongoing staff development or empowerment topics talk, which allow staff to gain valuable knowledge and skills and connect in a supportive ad collaborative environment.
- Connect with organizations across ASU to promote professional development opportunities to staff.
Program Lead: VACANT
As part of the Staff Council's mission to promote organizational and professional development, we host Empower Hours on staff development or empowerment topics.
These talks allow staff to gain valuable knowledge and skills and connect in a supportive and collaborative environment. They are another way that the ASU Staff Council shows its dedication to fostering the growth and development of our staff. Sessions are scheduled for an hour.
We are currently seeking:
- Recommendations for professional development topics that are timely, relevant, and beneficial to ASU staff.
- Referrals for engaging presenters or subject matter experts, both within and outside the university, who may be interested in facilitating an Empower Hour session.
- Professional contacts or community partners with expertise in areas that would enhance the professional and personal development of our staff.
- Feedback and suggestions regarding session formats, emerging workplace trends, or topics you believe would be valuable to our staff community.
Please email [email protected] with your recommendations, referrals, professional contacts, and suggestions for future sessions.
Empower Hour | Fall 2026
Topic + Presenter | Date | Time | Summary | Registration + Recording Links |
| Having Difficult Conversations with Confidence by Abbie Anderson | Thursday, September 17 | 11:00 a.m. -noon | Build the confidence to navigate difficult conversations with clarity, empathy, and purpose. In this workshop, you’ll practice practical tools and strategies to communicate effectively, manage emotions, and turn challenging moments into opportunities for connection and progress. | |
| Get more done in the apps you already use by Mike Amato and Jinjing Zhao | Wednesday, October 7 | 11:00 a.m. - noon | Spend less time digging through messages, taking notes, and chasing follow-ups with AI features you can start using in Outlook, Slack, and Zoom today. | Register |
| Advocating for Yourself by Christopher Watts | Thursday, October 22 | 1:30. - 2:30 p.m. | This session will focus on understanding your own story and better understanding the when, where, and how you can advocate for yourself along your professional journey. | Register HERE |
The Intersection of Leadership and AI by Eshan Zaffar, Director of the Difference Engine | Wednesday, November 4 | 11:00 a.m. - noon | What leadership should look like in the age of AI and the shifts leaders need to make to keep pace with the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. | Register HERE |
| Grief Uncovered: Understanding loss with compassion and support by Cecilia Houston | Tuesday, November 10 | 11:00 - noon | Grief is not something to "get over"; it is something we learn to carry. In this thoughtful and engaging session, we'll explore the realities of grief, ways to support ourselves, and how to navigate life's changes after loss. Attendees will discover the resources available through GrieveWell at ASU and learn strategies for managing grief during challenging times, including holidays, anniversaries, and family gatherings. | Register HERE |
| The Human Side of Work: Building Connections through the Enneagram by Danielle B. Steel | Tuesday, November 17 | 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. | Every workplace can thrive on the unique strengths, diverse perspectives, and inherent resilience of its people. This introductory session invites participants to utilize the Enneagram as a tool for elevating self-awareness and celebrating the diverse gifts each personality pattern brings to a team. Through reflection and dialogue, attendees will discover practical ways to nurture deep professional relationships and design a workplace culture rooted in mutual support. | Register HERE |
| When AI Joins the Team: Building Real Connection in the Intelligent Workplace by Seth Rachlin | Wednesday, December 2 | 11:00 a.m. - noon | In an era defined by hybrid teams, digital communications, and accelerating AI, our social bonds with coworkers are fraying. Workplace loneliness is rising. Collaboration feels harder. We manage workflows while neglecting the connective tissue that makes work function. Drawing on his recent co-authored book, Social Capital at Work: Building the Hidden Asset that Drives Trust, Engagement, and Performance, Seth will explain how to 1) identify signs of disconnection in ourselves and our teams, 2) learn and practice eight practical plays to build trust, improve engagement, and drive productivity and 3) embrace new workplace technology in ways that bolster collaboration, innovation, and performance. | Register |
Empower Hour |
Spring 2027
Topic + Presenter | Date | Time | Summary | Registration + Recording Links |
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