Come Join Us!
On Tuesday, July 23, join us at The Hotel at Auburn University & Dixon Conference Center for the second annual Auburn University HR Conference.
This dynamic event is designed to equip you with essential tools and valuable insights that will significantly contribute to your professional development.
What to Expect:
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Inspiring Speakers: Our lineup features seasoned professionals from UHR, esteemed campus authorities, and special guests. They’ll delve into the conference theme of “Everyday Excellence - Embracing Innovation,” providing practical knowledge to enhance your ability to support your department’s leadership, peers, students, and clients.
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Networking Opportunities: Engage with fellow employees and gain empowering insights that will elevate your career.
We can’t wait to see you there! 🌟
Conference Topics
Conference Basics
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When: Tuesday, July 23, from 7:45 a.m.-4:45 p.m.
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Cost: Free for AU and AUM employees.
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Schedule: See below.
The conference will be held at the The Hotel at Auburn University & Dixon Conference Center. Nearby parking options include:
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The College Street parking deck (B zone)
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The Alumni Center (A and B zones)
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Comer Hall (B zone)
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Draughon Library (A zone)
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Valet parking is also offered by the hotel. (There is a cost.)
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Lunch will be provided to registrants.
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Snacks and drinks will also be provided.
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Registrants with dietary concerns can email univhr@auburn.edu if they have any questions.
Do you have questions regarding Microsoft or Adobe products? Technical experts will be available throughout the day to answer your questions and help you best utilize these valuable tools!
Keynote Speaker
Named by Forbes Magazine as one of 20 speakers you shouldn’t miss, Jeff has become a trusted voice for businesses and non-profit organizations. His career experience not only inspires groups and individuals but also provides tangible strategies to help them grow. Ultimately, Jeff’s aim is to help organizations build a good name where both purpose and profit thrive.
His best-selling book, Know What You’re FOR, launched a movement in non-profits around the world and has become a focal point for many businesses.
Jeff has worked for well-known organizations such as the Atlanta Braves, Callaway Gardens, Chick-fil-A and North Point Ministries, one of the largest churches in America. While there, Jeff was the lead pastor for three churches over 17 years and helped launch North Point Online, one of the largest online ministries in the world.
Jeff and his wife Wendy have been married 25 years and have a daughter, Jesse, 22 and a son, Cole. 19.
Conference Schedule
| Time | Session/Topic |
|---|---|
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7:15-7:45 a.m. |
Check-in, Foyer |
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7:45-7:55 a.m. |
Welcome, Auditorium |
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7:55-9:15 a.m. |
University and HR Updates, Various Speakers |
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9:15-9:30 a.m. |
Break |
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9:30-10:30 a.m. (Breakout Session 1) |
Select one of the following sessions to attend:
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10:30-10:40 a.m. |
Break |
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10:40-11:40 a.m. (Breakout Session 2) |
Select one of the following sessions to attend:
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11:40-11:45 a.m. |
Break |
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11:45 a.m.-12:50 p.m. |
Lunch with Table Topics, Grand Ballroom |
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12:50-1 p.m. |
Break |
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1-2 p.m. (Breakout Session 3) |
Select one of the following sessions to attend:
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2-2:10 p.m. |
Break |
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2:10-3:10 p.m. (Breakout Session 4) |
Select one of the following sessions to attend:
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3:10-3:20 p.m. |
Break |
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3:20-4:35 p.m. |
Keynote - Jeff Henderson, Auditorium |
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4:35-4:45 p.m. |
Closing |
* Times and locations are tentative and subject to change.
Breakout Session Summaries
Session 1 Summaries - 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Presenters
April McFarlin, Supervisor, Employee Records and Retention, and the UHR Records team
Session Description
The UHR Records team will answer common questions regarding employee records. To submit a question for the session, email univhr@auburn.edu with the subject line "HR Conference - Records".
Target Audience
All attendees
Presenter
Nichole Diehl, Senior Manager, Human Resources, College of Veterinary Medicine
Session Description
When it matters most, we often do our worst — we either don’t hold conversations, or we don’t hold them well. Crucial Conversations gives people the skills to step into disagreement— rather than over or around it—and turn disagreement into dialogue for improved relationships and results. This session will provide an overview of "Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue," enabling you to determine whether the full course would be advantageous for you or your team.
Target Audience
All attendees
Presenter
Amy Bandy-Taylor, Technical Specialist, Microsoft
Session Description
Participants will explore what's in the "waffle" of Microsoft 365 applications, including OneDrive, Teams, Bookings, Forms, Loop and Planner. They will also learn how to seamlessly integrate these tools for enhanced collaboration, security, and productivity.
Target Audience
All attendees
Presenters
Session Description
Participants will ride along with HR Development and learn where performance development and leadership development is headed, how to build a culture of excellence, and how they can be a part of it all!
Target Audience
All attendees
Presenters
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Amy Bruce, Manager, Employment Services
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Kim McCracken, Manager, Employee Benefits
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Gary Gray, Assistant Manager, Employee Benefits
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Linda Sanders, Coordinator, Benefits, Salary Continuation, Paid Parental Leave, and Flex Spending Accounts
Session Description
Learn and understand the unique provisions and requirements of retirees when hiring via TES.
Target Audience
HR Liaisons and any individual involved in the hiring process or considering upcoming retirement.
Session 2 Summaries - 10:40-11:40 a.m.
Session 2 Summaries - 10:40-11:40 a.m.
Presenters
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Jenna Richards, Assistant Manager, Talent Acquisition
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Hannah Russell, Talent Acquisition Specialist
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Andrea McAbee, Director, Human Resources, Student Affairs
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Mallory Carden, Senior Manager, Advancement Culture & Talent
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Courtney Black, HR Generalist, College of Veterinary Medicine
Session Description
The Auburn University HR Talent Acquisition program, established in 2023, was created to build strategies that attract, engage, and secure AU talent. After an exciting year of building the program, the Talent Acquisition team and campus partners will share proven strategies for success, pitfalls to avoid, and a roadmap for the future of talent acquisition. Participants will leave this session equipped to become talent champions for their departments!
Target Audience
HR Liaisons and anyone involved in the hiring process
Presenters
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Moriah Kent, Instructional Designer, HR Development,
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Loren Winn, Division Director, Facilities Human Resources
Session Description
In this session, participants will explore how emotional intelligence can bridge generational gaps in today’s work environment. The session will focus on navigating aspects of communication and collaboration across generations. Participants will be asked to reflect on and challenge generational assumptions to foster an inclusive workplace that values generational diversity.
Target Audience
All attendees
Presenter
Stephanee Stephens, Account Executive, Microsoft
Session Description
A day in the life session powered by modern ways to work is designed to showcase the integration of Microsoft Teams, Planner, Loop, and other tools into daily tasks and workflows, demonstrating how these tools enhance productivity and collaboration.
Target Audience
All attendees
Presenters
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Debra Walters, Coordinator, Benefits, FMLA Administration, Health and Dental Insurance
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Kim McCracken, Manager, Employee Benefits
Session Description
Participants will discuss the workings (the how, when, and why) of Family Medical Leave, Paid Paternal Leave, and Salary Continuation at Auburn.
Target Audience
New timekeepers and admins, and new HR Liaisons
Presenters
UHR Payroll Team - Jeff Urstadt, Brandy Tucker, Kelly Steele, Stacy DeLoach, and Taylor Nash
Session Description
The Payroll team will answer common questions regarding Kronos, Auburn's timekeeping system. To submit a question for the session, email univhr@auburn.edu with the subject line "HR Conference - Timekeeping".
Target Audience
All attendees
Session 3 Summaries - 1-2 p.m.
Session 3 Summaries - 1-2 p.m.
Presenter
Kristine Ball, Manager, Onboarding Center
Session Description
This insightful session will focus on developing departmental onboarding expectations, an integral component for fostering a successful and welcoming environment for new hires.
Participants will delve into the components of a successful onboarding plan tailored to their department’s unique needs. They will also learn how to craft an onboarding journey that fosters a sense of belonging, purpose, and motivation from the outset.
Target Audience
Departmental Admins, Hiring Managers, Departmental Onboarding Contacts, all attendees
Presenter
Michael Von Ahnen, Specialist, Employee Relations
Session Description
Cultural Wallpaper is designed to assist individuals in identifying workplace trends that can potentially lead to a negative work environment. In addition, this class will provide participants with the tools needed to improve the culture in their own offices. Upon completion of this course, individuals will be able to identify if there are any trends negatively impacting the culture of their workspace and what steps are needed to improve the culture.
Target Audience
All attendees
Presenter
Amy Bandy-Taylor, Technical Specialist, Microsoft
Session Description
Participants will explore what's in the "waffle" of Microsoft 365 applications, including OneDrive, Teams, Bookings, Forms, Loop and Planner. They will also learn how to seamlessly integrate these tools for enhanced collaboration, security, and productivity.
Target Audience
All attendees
Presenters
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Shelly Murray, Director, Compensation and Classification
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Bailey Ward, Manager, Administration
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Anna White, Assistant Manager, Compensation Administration
Session Description
Beyond salary, pay satisfaction hinges on several critical factors. Our Compensation Team will explore three pivotal components of an effective compensation program: equity, transparency, and communication. By seamlessly integrating these concepts, employees experience a sense of value, trust in their employer, and actively contribute to a thriving workplace.
Target Audience
Senior HR Managers, HR Managers, and Generalists
Presenter
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Jeff Urstadt, Manager, Payroll
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Tammy Walker, Senior Manager, Human Resources, College of Engineering
Session Description
Coming soon!
Target Audience
All attendees
Session 4 Summaries - 2:10-3:10 p.m.
Session 4 Summaries - 2:10-3:10 p.m.
Presenter
Kristine Ball, Manager, Onboarding Center
Session Description
This comprehensive session will explore the critical role that employee engagement plays during the onboarding process and how it can be a catalyst for long-term job satisfaction, productivity, and retention.
Participants will learn key drivers of engagement that can be incorporated into the onboarding experience as well as methods to personalize the onboarding process to meet the individual needs of the university’s diverse employee groups.
Target Audience
All attendees
Presenters
TBD
Session Description
Bridget Wyke, director of strategic brand management for the Office of Communications and Marketing, will share how we’ve used research to discover and define what makes Auburn unique and how every member of the Auburn Family can confidently and consistently represent the brand.
Target Audience
All attendees
Presenter
Stephanee Stephens, Account Executive, Microsoft
Session Description
A day in the life session powered by modern ways to work is designed to showcase the integration of Microsoft Teams, Planner, Loop, and other tools into daily tasks and workflows, demonstrating how these tools enhance productivity and collaboration.
Target Audience
All attendees
Presenters
Amanda Malone, Director, Human Resources/Budgeting, Office of the Provost
Session Description
"Auburn University recognizes that its success as an educational institution depends largely upon its ability to attract and retain well-educated, talented, and dedicated faculty members” (Auburn University Faculty Handbook).
The Provost’s Office is responsible for recruitment, compensation, retention, and recognition of all university faculty. Participants will leave this session with insights, best practices, and important resources to support these efforts.
Target Audience
HR Liaisons and anyone that has a role in the hiring process or a role in communicating requirements to hiring managers
Presenters
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Ann Shore, Executive Director, Employee Benefits
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Sonya Dixon, Manager, Employee Relations
Session Description
The employee life cycle includes stages such as hiring, employment tenure, and retirement. Topics that will be discussed include benefits and payroll, employee education, retirement, resignations, employee deaths, and much more.
Target Audience
HR Liaisons and Timekeepers
