The past 3+ years have been challenging for most of us, causing increased distress, anxiety, and grief. In this session, Dr. Cirecie West-Olatunji will discuss the benefits of enduring self-care coping skills to counteract the effects of continuous traumatic stress. This seminar will cover various topics, such as COVID-19, civil unrest, socio-political conflict, natural disasters, workplace fatigue, and what to do about it! Designed for a cross-disciplinary group of participants, this seminar is for everyone. Dr. West-Olatunji will review the literature on the various topics related to burnout and enduring self-care and include experiential exercises and field trips to make this week-long adventure fun and informative.
This is a seminar that is intended for an interdisciplinary audience. Faculty and administrators face a myriad of challenges on today’s campuses. Declining enrollments, budget crises, under-prepared students, and accreditation demands all take a toll on campus leaders. All of these challenges occur within the larger context of pandemics, global conflicts, and natural disasters. Faculty and administrators need to acquire coping mechanisms to stay emotionally healthy in their daily interactions with students and peers. Participants can expect to learn about and practice enduring self-care techniques that stem from neuroscientific research.
When & Where
Seminar Schedule. Seminars run Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with a midday communal lunch. Seminar conveners may adjust the class schedule in response to participant needs. Special events may also be held during the week. Participants are required to attend the full week of seminar meetings and maintain 90% attendance overall.
Seminar Materials. Eligible participants are provided with all required seminar materials (books, articles, laboratory equipment, and entrance fees).
Accommodations & Meals. Limited housing accommodations are provided to participants who live more than 50 miles from the program site. All admitted participants are provided with some meals during the program period.
Application Procedure. Applicants should submit the completed application along with all of the following:
- A statement of intent that indicates how the seminar participant will apply what is learned at the home institution
- A current CV
- A letter of support from either the division dean or department head, who is well-acquainted with the applicant’s area of research
- Their institutional liaison officer’s approval