Professional Development Program
Enhance your leadership, operational and professional knowledge by participating in Professional Development trainings offered by The Office of Human Resources. These trainings are intended to provide employees with resources to support diverse student communities and to promote inclusive leadership.
Fall 2026 Schedule
Make sure to check back often as we will be adding more offerings and tours throughout the spring. If you’d like to offer training as part of the spring training cycle, click here. Please email humanresources@vassar.edu if you'd like to notify us of any cancellations or changes to your registration.
Navigating Student Employment at Vassar
Monday, 9/21, 6-6:30pm, Villard Room
Join us for a review of the Job Registration process, JobX system, Workday basics, and other helpful campus resources to assist with your job application process. Members of the Student Employment Office will be available to answer your questions and provide support as needed with your job search. This workshop is open to students and does not require registration.
Facilitated by The Working Students Coalition and The Student Employment Office
Hidden Lives of Students Training for Faculty, Staff and Administrators
Friday, 9/18, 12-1pm via Zoom
This workshop will provide behind the scenes information about the challenges facing our students, how these challenges may affect your work with students, and specific steps you can take to support students in getting the help they need so they can learn and thrive at Vassar.
Facilitated by Wendy Freedman, PhD and Ali Krause Christenson, LCSW from the Vassar College Counseling Service
QPR Suicide Prevention Training for Faculty, Staff and Administrators
Friday, 9/25, 12-1pm via Zoom
QPR is an empirically validated approach to reducing the risk of suicides. In the hour-long training, participants learn to recognize the warning signs of suicide and how to apply three simple steps that may save a life. Participants will learn the most effective way to refer a student in crisis to campus resources.
Facilitated by Wendy Freedman, PhD, Natalia Martinez Munoz Potter, LCSW from the Vassar College Counseling Service and Andrea Pesavento LCSW from Health Promotion and Education
Supervising Union Employees
Thursday, October 1, 9-11am, College Center Multi-Purpose Room (CC223)
This workshop will focus on supervising unionized employees. It includes an overview of union rules and contractual obligations, active practice navigating challenges and key areas where Human Resources can offer support. This workshop is intended for individuals who supervise union employees.
Presented by: Rocio Salvatierra, Director of Employee and Labor Relations
Managing Performance & Corrective Action
Tuesday, October 20, 9-11am, College Center Multi-Purpose Room (CC223)
This workshop will focus on equipping leaders with the tools and union rules to foster a culture of clear expectations and continuous improvement. Participants will explore what transparency looks like in their own leadership practice, reflect on how their actions and communication influence employee performance, and learn strategies for addressing concerns early and constructively. The workshop will also cover the corrective action process.
Presented by: Rocio Salvatierra, Director of Employee and Labor Relations
Pay Schedule Change Information Sessions
- Monday, October 26th at 2pm, College Center Multi-Purpose Room (CC223)
- Tuesday, November 3rd at 9am via Zoom
- Thursday, November 5th at 11am via Zoom
- Tuesday, December 8th at 10am, College Center Multi-Purpose Room (CC223)
Join us for an informational session regarding the upcoming pay schedule change for salaried employees starting in January 2027. This session will cover how the pay schedule will transition from biweekly to semi-monthly, how your cash flow will be impacted starting in December 2026, what preparations might be needed, and what resources are available to support you and your household during this change. This session is open to salaried employees.
Presented by: Linda Wessberg, Director of Human Resources Operations & Tricia Watt, Director of Payroll Operations
Difficult Conversations: A Manager Practice Workshop
Tuesday, November 3, 9-11am, College Center Multi-Purpose Room (CC223)
This workshop is an interactive, practice-focused session designed to help managers build confidence navigating challenging workplace conversations. Through realistic scenarios, guided practice, and peer feedback, participants will strengthen their ability to address sensitive topics with clarity, empathy, and professionalism. The workshop emphasizes preparing for the conversation, communicating directly, managing reactions, and keeping discussions productive and focused on moving forward.
Presented by: Rocio Salvatierra, Director of Employee and Labor Relations
Mental Health First Aid Training
WHY MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID?
Mental Health FirstAid (MHFA) teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among adults.
2 hours of pre-work online and 6 hours in person or 8 hours in person
- 10/19/26 (fully in person session with a pre and post test)
- 1/13/27 (9a-3p) (blended session, 2 hours online, 6 hour in person)
- 3/8/27 (9a-3p) (blended session, 2 hours online, 6 hour in person)
- 3/17/27 (9a-5p) (fully in person session with a pre and post test)
- Once you register, you will get an email with more information about completing pre-work and locations for your event.
The course will teach you how to apply the MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE):
•Assess for risk of suicide or harm.
•Listen nonjudgmentally.
•Give reassurance and information.
•Encourage appropriate professional help.
•Encourage self-help and other support strategies.
Presented by: The Health Promotion and Education Department
Other Trainings
Technology Workshops:
Academic Computing Services provides expertise in educational technologies and media development for Vassar College. The schedule can be found here: https://pages.vassar.edu/acs/