University Schedules Staff Enrichment Day May 17

Texas A&M International University will celebrate the diverse talents and skills its employees bring to the workplace during the third annual day-long Staff Enrichment Day on Friday May 17 from 8 a.m. - 4:15 p.m.

From how to balance the scales of life to working the business room, topics covered at the event are designed to develop leadership skills in employees while helping them understand more about their lives and their contribution to their work environment, said Elizabeth N. Martínez, director of the Office of Human Resources, which has organized the event.

"Every year, we offer numerous enrichment activities that are designed to provide employees with learning opportunities that will enrich their work experiences and lives in general. This is also a perfect opportunity for employees to interact with co-workers from other departments and realize the asset that they are to TAMIU and the community that we so proudly serve," Martínez said.

Sessions will run throughout the day and will require that offices suspend normal operations in order for the event to be successful, Martínez explained.

"All offices will be closed from 8-9:30 a.m. with a reduced operation for the remainder of the day through 5 p.m. Offices will not be closed, but staffing will be at minimum. We greatly appreciate the public's understanding of this important offering," Martínez said.

Concurrent sessions scheduled will focus on phone professionalism, dealing with change, team building, understanding colleagues' tasks, living a healthy life at home and at work and discovering leadership potential in self.

Dr. Ben Welch, director for executive development for Texas A&M University (TAMU), will provide the event's keynote address, "If We Rest, We Rust: Embracing Change."

At TAMU, Dr. Welch's primary goal is to provide leadership for building effective professional development programs. Before joining the Center for Executive Development, he was the director of student activities at TAMU, where he was responsible for over 750 recognized student organizations, as well as the Student Organization Finance Center, Vocal Music and the Student Leadership Center.

He received his B.S. in business administration from the University of Dayton, M.S. in human resource management from Houston Baptist University and Ph.D. in educational curriculum and instruction from TAMU.

For additional information, please contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at 326-2180, visit offices in Killam Library 268 or email to pais@tamiu.edu. University office hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu