Faculty, staff invited to Steps to Leaps Summit, nominate outstanding individuals and programs for recognition

Faculty and staff are invited to participate in a Steps to Leaps summit, set for 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. March 22 at Beck Agricultural Center.

The event will include guest speakers and an awards presentation from noon to 1 p.m. The featured guest speakers are Beth McCuskey, vice provost for student life, and Jenna Rickus, associate vice provost for teaching and learning. The summit will also include a student panel discussion from 2:15-2:45 p.m. and feature presentations at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Presentations will share resources and research related to the Steps to Leaps pillars. A full schedule of events will be posted on the Steps to Leaps website as presentations are finalized.  

Individuals interested in attending can register here. The deadline to register is March 15. Attendees will also receive lunch.

In advance of the summit, the Steps to Leaps steering committee is also seeking nominations for the following awards:

• Steps to Leaps in Research Award: Given to a researcher or team whose published work exemplifies efforts to expand the understanding of one or more of the Steps to Leaps pillars.
• Steps to Leaps Student of the Year Award: Bestowed to a student who has shown a passion for growth within the Steps to Leaps pillar areas and/or contributions toward the education of peers within the Steps to Leaps pillar areas.
• Award for Academic Integration of Steps to Leaps: Recognizes an educator who has woven Steps to Leaps into their pedagogy.
• Steps to Leaps in Student Support Award: Given to an individual or unit that consistently leveraged the language of Steps to Leaps in the conversations and communication with students.

Learn more about the awards and submit a nomination by visiting this page. Nominations are due by Jan. 31. Honorees will be recognized during the Steps to Leaps Summit and will receive a $500 award.

Steps to Leaps is a collaborative, campuswide effort to foster lifelong habits and promote a growth mindset in the areas of well-being, leadership and professional development, impact, network building and grit/persistence. Steps to Leaps was created by students for students under the auspices of the Office of the Provost and is aligned with long-term university goals under the Provost Road Map for Transformative Undergraduate Education.