Aug. 26: All-campus retreat schedule
Morning sessions
Gävle Rooms in The Gerber Center
8-8:30 a.m.: Continental Breakfast
Faculty and staff are invited to the Viking Classic breakfast, including fresh baked breakfast breads, muffins, seasonal fresh fruit served with homemade granola and vanilla yogurt, assorted chilled fruit juices, coffee and bottled water.
8:30-8:35 a.m.: Blessing
Pastor Melinda Pupillo will kick off the All-Campus Retreat with a blessing aimed to center our community to the new academic year and connect our faculty and staff to the shared purpose and mission of Augustana College.
8:35-8:50 a.m.: President's Remarks
President Andrea Talentino will welcome faculty and staff to the fall 2024 semester and share insights on the exciting year ahead.
8:50-9:15 a.m.: Volunteerism and Celebrating Employees
Dr. Wes Brooks and Kai Swanson will share information about Goal 3 of Bold and Boundless: Connecting through Partnership and a new volunteer initiative for the college. Dr. Kimberly Murphy will share personal experiences with community engagement. Dr. Kristin Douglas will announce the Disability Champion Award recipients. Attendees will be celebrated for their collective work.
9:15-10 a.m.: Bold and Boundless Strategic Plan Overview and Progress to Date
Kent Barnds and members of the Strategic Plan Implementation Council will provide an overview of Bold and Boundless, engage attendees to create ideas to support the different platforms of the strategic plan, and will share updates and examples of things that are already underway.
10-10 a.m.: Break
10:10-11:40 a.m.: Discussion on Being Student-Ready
Join Dr. Jennifer Latino from EAB as she shares higher education industry-wide information about student readiness and discusses best practices that will assist Augustana in meeting the goals of Bold and Boundless.
11:40-11:45 a.m.: Blessing
Pastor Melinda Pupillo will deliver a blessing to the employee base and Augustana College to close the morning session and give thanks for the shared meal that follows.
11:45-11:55 a.m.: Transition to Viking Plaza for Employee Group Photo and Lunch
11:55 a.m.-12:00 p.m.: Employee Group Photo on the Viking Plaza
12-1 p.m.: Lunch in the Dining Hall
Augustana Dining and Catering will provide lunch, serving the All-American buffet featuring hamburgers, black bean burgers, all-beef hot dogs, potato chips, seasonal fruit, chocolate chip cookies, and assorted sodas and bottled water.
Afternoon sessions
Various locations
1:15-2:30 p.m.: Support Teams' "Student Ready" Program with EAB (by invitation)
Support Team participants will learn about best practices related to retention and sense of belonging and will take a deeper dive into what it means to be student-ready.
1:15-3 p.m.: Local Field Station Visit in Milan, Ill.
Faculty and staff (limited to 20) are invited to an exclusive tour of the Collinson Field Station in Milan, Ill., to see firsthand the exceptional teaching and research opportunities available at Collinson and learn about Augustana’s other premier field stations: Beling Ecological Preserve in Moline, Ill., and Green Wing Environmental Laboratory in Amboy, Ill. This immersive experience led by Professor of Biology and Field Stations Director Dr. Steve Hager will provide an in-depth understanding of the unique features and facilities at each location. He’ll also address questions about logistics and scheduling classes, student groups and research visits. Explore how these pristine natural environments can elevate engaged learning and research initiatives in the life and physical sciences, humanities, social sciences and pre-professional programs.
Attendees must provide their own transportation (carpooling is encouraged) and meet at the Collinson parking pad, 2313 83rd Ave., Milan, Ill. (about 7 miles south of campus). Please complete this form to reserve a spot in the session. Specific questions can be directed to Dr. Steve Hager.
The field trip includes light hiking. Participants should wear long pants and sturdy footwear, and bring water. A limited supply of water, insect repellent and sunscreen will be provided.
1:15-2 p.m.: Hear from Students – Life of an Augie Student
Join Dr. Wes Brooks in the Gävle Rooms as he facilitates a panel discussion with returning students who will discuss their typical day at Augustana and what they enjoy most about being a part of the Augustana community.
2:15-3 p.m.: House on the Hill Tour
It's the oldest building on campus and has such magic that the family who gave it to Augustana said it had to be referred to by the name they loved so much: House on the Hill. Join Kai Swanson for a peek inside this National Register-listed home.
2:45-4 p.m.: Student Life "Student Ready" Program with EAB (by invitation)
Student Life and DEI directors will learn about outside the classroom/co-curricular best practices and consider ways to implement student-ready initiatives in areas such as student activities, international programs, athletics and residential life.
3:30-4:30 p.m.: Community Engagement and Free Coffee at Theo's Java Cafe
Those who would like to learn more about ways to activate the strategic plan’s third goal — Connecting Through Partnership — are invited to Theo's at 213 17th St., in downtown Rock Island. The college will pay for a beverage for each attendee.
Attendees must provide their own transportation.