UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND: Strengthening the roots of belonging for all

BELONGING AND THE UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND: A key strategic priority of the University -- and one the new President mentions often -- is Belonging and Community. The priority is centered around the idea that every person on campus matters, and "every Spider feels and is seen, heard, valued, and has someone they can look to for support." The students are an obvious focus here, but this priority matters to students, faculty and staff.

ASKING THE QUESTION: John Sarvay, Ebony Walden, Julia D'Agostino and Kayla Maxey have spent the past several weeks asking questions, and listening. At the heart of our discussion with staff? How can the Business Affairs division create a stronger culture of belonging for every employee?

THE ANSWERS ARE IN THE ROOM: There's something truly inspiring and uplifting about being in room after room after room with a diverse group of people who care about what they do, value the people they work with, and have clarity about what they need to be more effective, engaged and satisfied in their work. The fact that we will end this first round of engagement having been in the room with more than 85% of the ~550 employees from Business Affairs feels really, really good.

WHAT'S NEXT: Transforming a few hundred pages of notes -- thanks, Kayla! -- into a set of themes to shape new Mission, Vision and Values statements for the division, and then developing clear guidance and recommendations to bring those statements to life in the culture will be our next round of heavy lifting. And once again we'll turn to the people who do the work to make that happen.