Registration is open for Elevating Cougs, WSU’s virtual professional development conference taking place Oct. 21-22. Organized by the WSU Human Resource Services Learning and Organizational Development and Modernization’s Change & Communications teams, the conference features 40 peer-led sessions tailored for university staff across a range of roles and experience levels.
Employees can now build personalized schedules for this packed, two-day event on the conference platform. Among the sessions attendees can choose from are three led by or focused on communications-related topics, all connected to this year’s theme, “Everyday Coug Ingenuity.”
On Wed., Oct. 21, at 11 a.m., attendees can tune in to “Project and time management for communicators,” led by Paul Fleming McCullagh, manager of learning, communications, and change. The session features a panel of five university communicators who will share practical strategies and insights for managing both long- and short-term projects, events, and communication campaigns. This session will offer a range of perspectives, giving attendees the opportunity to explore the project management style that works best for them and their projects.
Later that day at 1 p.m., Chantell Cosner, director of marketing and strategic communications, will lead a session on effective communication during times of change. The session, titled “Turning change into clarity: A practical communication framework for WSU managers”, focuses on the interpersonal aspects of supporting and communicating with employees, with particular attention to the higher education environment. During the session, attendees will explore the change occurring in their own areas and the tools and language they can use to help their employees through it.
The following day, Thurs., Oct. 22, at 1:45 p.m., University Marketing and Communications Creative Director Jackson Price and Art Director Marcela Gurdian will lead “WSU Brand basics: Essential tools for everyday brand success.” This 30-minute session introduces the university brand’s fundamental components, including logos, fonts, and colors, and provides practical guidance on how employees can apply them in their day-to-day work. No graphic design experience is required for this session.
Build your conference schedule
Employees can explore the full conference program, register to attend, and learn how to get the most from their conference experience at elevatingcougs.events.wsu.edu.
Not sure where to start? Take a quick, six-question personality quiz to discover which Elevating Cougs track best aligns with your interests.
