The UConn Work+ Supervisor Summit is an annual professional development conference designed to guide campus faculty and employers who supervise student employees on effective strategies to mentor employees and create impactful work environments. The second annual conference took place on Monday, June 1 and served as an exciting opportunity for supervisors to collaborate through a series of presentations and breakout sessions, focused on empowering student employees to thrive both professionally and academically.
Opening Remarks: Life Purpose Lab
Opening remarks were given by Eran Peterson, Associate Director of Work+, and Keynote speech was delivered by Dr. Bradley Wright Sociology Professor and Director of the Life Purpose Lab. The Life Purpose Lab is an applied research and training program at UConn that is studying how people find purpose. Wright and Peterson emphasized the importance of interns within the Life Purpose Lab, and how supervisors can foster qualities of successful interns by connecting their work to greater-scale purpose and future possibility.
Attendees had the opportunity to participate in sessions across two flexible tracks: Workplace Design & Environment, and Developing Working Learners, allowing them to tailor their summit experience by attending sessions that supported their interests and goals.
Building Trust and Navigating Difficult Conversations with Student Employees
Jim Wohl and Cinnamon Adams discussed the resources within University Ombuds, a confidential and independent resource that provides conflict resolution guidance for UCONN graduates, staff, and faculty. Breakout groups explored common reasons why supervisors often delay difficult conversations with student employees and identified key fears and uncertainties that arise from confrontations. Wohl and Adams discussed the importance of trust, early communication, self-awareness, clear expectations, and consistency to help difficult conversations go better. They additionally discussed expectations that supervisors assume students already know, such as communication norms and professionalism.
From Internship to Impact: Practical Strategies to Create Meaningful and High-Impact Experiences
Stephanie Collins and Mark Turek shared insights into The Hartford’s Internship Program at UConn, which is designed as a pipeline for students to transition from Experimental Learning to the workforce. Collins and Turek stressed the importance of intentional project planning, and encouraged supervisors to help interns understand not only what they’re doing, but why their work matters. Organization was a key aspect throughout the presentation, and Collins and Turek emphasized the importance of supervisor preparation during onboarding, noting that interns and supervisors alike report more positive experiences when expectations and plans are clearly defined. The presenters highlighted the use of NACE Career Readiness Competencies as a framework for mentorship and evaluation, with communication and professionalism identified as especially important at The Hartford.
Every Town Is a Hometown: Belonging, Reflection, and Developing Working Learners
In a workplace environment, it is essential for supervisors to foster an environment of belonging for student workers to build meaningful relationships and trust and best support the growth of employees. During “Belonging, Reflection, and Developing Working Learners”, led by Steve Bustamante, attendees explored the concept of a Student-Centered Learning Ecosystem, created by Liza Boritz. The framework recognizes that student & supervisor learning occurs across settings other than the classroom, and highlights how employment and other settings of learning provide opportunities for students to develop professional skills, build relationships, and gain valuable learning alongside their supervisors, which ultimately contributes to their growth and professional development.
Building Belonging Through Supervision: Using Calendar Awareness to Support Working Learners
Similarly, during “Building Belonging Through Supervision: Using Calendar Awareness to Support Working Learners,” Jaron Tucker, Associate Director of Financial Aid at UConn, emphasized the importance of cultural and religious awareness when it comes to recognizing significant events that may impact student employees. Becase many observances do not align with traditional holiday schedules, supervisors can offer additional flexibility such as floating holidays and adaptable work schedules. Practical strategies include recognizing observances through staff communications and avoiding scheduling conflicts. By acknowledging observances such as Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and varying New Year celebration dates, supervisors can create a supportive workplace and contribute to a healthy environment where students feel supported and seen.
Additional Tools and Strategies for Managing Staff & Student Wellness
Lastly, attendees learned about current tools and strategies available at UConn for supervisors to best support and communicate with student workers and not only support workplace productivity, but also student mental wellness needs. Bo Toof, AV Production Supervisor, spoke about several tools and strategies UConn uses for managing large student staffs, such as scheduling and planning tools offered by Microsoft Suite and When To Work, event management tools within 7 Point Ops, and 12Twenty’s career tools. The last breakout session focused on how to recognize and respond to signs that a student is struggling, and how the Red Folder is a UConn resource to help faculty and staff assist students in distress. The resource site offers important tips and information about campus and community resources to support students, such as the Student Health and Wellness (SHAW) office, which focuses on cultivating optional health and well-being for every UConn student. Supervisors can practice providing student support by recognizing struggles and responding proactively and calmly by asking direct questions, actively listening, and seeking professional consultation.
The Work+ Supervisor Summit highlighted the crucial role supervisors have in shaping the experiences and learning of student workers at UConn. As student employment continues to serve as a powerful form of experiential learning, initiatives like Work+ provide essential resources for enhancing work environments. To learn more about Work+, supervisor resources, and upcoming professional development opportunities, visit the Work+ website.
