ElevateGW 2025 Staff Summit

Build community, Grow your career, Utilize AI tools for efficiency, and more!

VIRTUAL EVENT
Friday, Dec 5, 2025
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

This event is open to all staff and members of the GW Community. Participation is not limited based on any individual’s personal identity, characteristics, or viewpoint, including but not limited to: race, color, national origin, shared ancestry, religion, political affiliation, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.

Schedule

Times may be adjusted based on the presenter's availability. All sessions are available through the same Zoom link. Breakout sessions will open via breakout Zoom rooms.

9:00 - 9:15 - Welcome

Presenters:

Kimberly Fulmer, President of the Staff Council
Allene David, Chair of the Development & Recognition

Join Kimberly Fulmer and Allene David to kick off the first Staff Council conference.

9:15 - 10 am - Breakout Sessions

Join one of the following.

Crossing the Hallway: Building Community Across Our Campus

Presenter: Rose Dunnegan, Managing Director of Administration, Communication and Training, Division of Safety & Operations

Moderator: Margaret Wagner

Session Description:

Community isn’t found—it’s created. By choosing to connect across departments and differences, we can build a stronger, more compassionate campus together. Discover how everyday actions can spark connection, break down silos, and build a culture of care—one hallway at a time.

Personal Strategic Planning: Perspectives in Institutional, Organizational and Personal Planning

Presenter:

Jay Goff, Vice President and Dean of Enrollment and Student Success

Session Description:

During this intimate breakout session, Jay will share his journey from campus tour guide to Vice President for Enrollment Management at GW, highlighting not only the steps along the way but also the evolving challenges he has navigated as a senior leader in higher education. He will explore how the pressures of shifting demographics, rising student expectations, and complex institutional priorities shape executive decision-making- and how understanding these dynamics can inform your own professional growth. By connecting his personal story with the broader realities of institutional, organizational, and personal planning, Jay will offer participants a candid look into the demands of leadership and provide practical insights on how to prepare for advancement in an environment that requires adaptability, strategic thinking, and resilience.

Participants Will Learn How:

How senior leaders navigate complex challenges such as demographic shifts, evolving student needs, and competing institutional priorities—and what these realities mean for future leaders.

How institutional, organizational, and personal planning intersect to guide executive decision-making and shape leadership trajectories in higher education.

What skills and mindset are essential for advancement, including adaptability, strategic thinking, and the ability to manage uncertainty in a rapidly changing environment.

How to apply these insights to their own career paths, identifying opportunities for growth, aligning strengths with institutional needs, and preparing for leadership roles over time.

Intended Audience:

This session is designed for higher education professionals who want to better understand the complex challenges executives navigate as they lead institutions through shifting demographics, evolving student expectations, and increasing operational pressures. It is especially relevant for those who want insight into how senior leaders balance competing priorities while still advancing their own career growth. Participants will gain a clearer picture of the strategic, organizational, and personal demands placed on higher-level administrators- and how developing awareness of these challenges can inform their own professional trajectory.

Working Smarter with AI: Enhancing Efficiency and Quality Within GW’s AI Guidance

Presenters:

Joy Wu, Ph.D., GW School of Nursing

Ryan Watkins, Ph.D., Grad School of Education & Human Development

David Mossinger, Ed.D., GW School of Nursing

Ian Roberts, MLS, Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library

Rebecca Kyser, MLIS, Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library

Session Description:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming how we work. Through live demonstrations, real-world examples, and guided discussions, attendees will gain actionable insights on how to work smarter, not just faster, with AI, including streamlining workflow, enhancing productivity, and supporting collaboration across roles.
This interactive session brings together talents across GW to explore practical, responsible ways to integrate AI-powered tools into daily workflows, while staying aligned with GW’s AI guidance.

Participants will:

Discover AI tools that can support streamlining tasks, enhancing productivity, and supporting collaboration across roles.

Explore strategies to enhance efficiency and quality while maintaining academic/professional integrity and standards.

Discuss the limitations of AI technologies and GW’s AI guidance on how to apply it thoughtfully in professional contexts.

Intended Audience:
GW staff members seeking practical, responsible ways to incorporate GW AI-empowered tools into their daily work to improve efficiency, quality, and collaboration.

10:30 - 11:00 am - A Conversation with Scott Mory

The Road Ahead: Strengthening GW Together

Presenter:

Scott Mory, Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff

Session Description:

As higher education continues to evolve, institutions like The George Washington University face a period of rapid change—shaped by shifting enrollment trends, financial pressures, new technologies, and growing expectations for workplace flexibility and inclusion.

This keynote will explore where we stand today as a university community and within the broader landscape of higher education, highlighting both the progress we’ve made and the challenges that lie ahead. From the future of the workforce to sustaining institutional excellence, we’ll discuss the critical role staff play in shaping GW’s success—not only through operational excellence but also through innovation, collaboration, and student support.

Finally, we’ll consider how staff can prepare for the future—by developing new skills, strengthening networks, and engaging in the conversations that will define the next chapter of GW. Together, we’ll look at how we can adapt, lead, and continue to make GW a place where every member of the community can thrive.

11:00 - 11:45 am - Panel Discussion

Growing Within GW: Building Your Career from the Inside Out

Panelists:

Diane Conners, Executive Director, Talent Acquisition, HRMD
Gina Lohr, Senior Associate Vice Provost for Research, OVPR and Administrative Dean, VSTC
Kathleen Duffy, Senior Director, Career Development, GWSB
Marva Gumbs Jennings, Director, Career Academic Partnerships, Career Services
Tricia Greenstein, Library Coordinator, Access Services, Gelman Library

Moderator:

Sabrina Minor, Vice President and Chief People Officer, HRMD

Session Description:

Professional growth doesn’t always mean moving on—it can mean moving up, across, or deeper within your current organization. This panel will explore how staff at GW can take charge of their career development by leveraging the many opportunities that exist right here within our university community.

Join us for an open conversation about investing in yourself while investing in GW—and discover how your growth contributes to the continued success of the university as a whole

11:45 am - noon - Closing Remarks

Presenters:

Mindy Galvan, President-Elect of the Staff Council
Allene David, Chair of the Development & Recognition

Join Mindy Galvan and Allene David for closing remarks. Be sure to stick around for the Staff Connection Hour.

Noon - 1:00 pm - Staff Connection Hour: The conference concludes at 12:00 PM, but the fun is just getting started! Join us for an the GW Staff Connection Hour, designed purely for networking and peer-to-peer engagement. Grab your lunch and choose your adventure in our three themed rooms: Join the GW Jeopardy room for a high-energy trivia challenge on campus knowledge; dive into the GW Staff Skills Swap room to trade your best time-saving tricks with colleagues; or simply relax in the Social Lounge with music and chat. This is your chance to break silos, share a laugh, and connect with your fellow staff members!