Staff Training & Enrichment Program
STEP (Staff Training and Enrichment Program) is an initiative established under the provost’s office to provide academic staff with training and career development opportunities, as well as workplace enrichment, in support of their vital contribution to Butler University.
Mission
Support Butler’s commitment to the highest quality of liberal and professional education by providing academic staff with meaningful learning opportunities that will enhance job skills, communication, collaboration, performance, and personal excellence.
Vision
A workplace culture that values and respects academic staff by providing learning, development, and enrichment opportunities and promoting innovation through communication and collaboration, thereby identifying Butler University as an employer of choice.
Have a topic to suggest for a STEP session? Interested in presenting at a STEP session? Please email STEP@butler.edu with suggestions or questions.
Calling all green thumbs, budding gardeners, and plant lovers! We’re excited to host an upcoming plant exchange, where staff and faculty can share their love of plants and take home something new to grow.
Wednesday, June 11
Plant drop off: 11:30-noon
Plant exchange and social: noon-1:00 p.m.
Gallahue first floor atrium
So that we can best be prepared, REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
Please click here to sign up!
What to Bring:
– Healthy, pest-free plants (indoor or outdoor, perennial or annual—flowers, houseplants, fruits, veggies—you name it!)
– Plants must be in containers or vessels suitable for being out all day (bare-root and cuttings are welcome in jars, cups, etc.)
– Labels are a must! Be sure each plant is clearly identified
– Care instructions, if possible—so your plant’s new caretaker knows how to help it thrive
Plants from the Butler farm will also be available for purchase (cash or credit card accepted).
Whether you’re looking to rehome a few overgrown cuttings or discover your next favorite plant, we’d love to see you there. Let’s grow Butler’s gardening community, one leaf at a time!
This page is updated regularly and additional opportunities for 2025-26 will be added through the academic year. Please visit again soon!
“Travel Tips 101” presented by Calie Dickey, Associate Director for Study Abroad
Thursday, July 24, 11:00 am-noon, Dugan Hall 203
Session description coming soon.
Guests will receive a meal voucher to enjoy lunch with colleagues following the session. Space is limited. RSVP to STEP@butler.edu required.
“The Philosophy of Kindness” presented by Kyle Furlane, Lecturer of Philosophy
Friday, September 19, 11:00 am-noon, Atherton Union 326
Session description coming soon.
Guests will receive a meal voucher to enjoy lunch with colleagues following the session. Space is limited. RSVP to STEP@butler.edu required.
“Trauma Informed Care in Higher Education” presented by Jules Grable, Director of Student Advocacy
Thursday, October 16, lunch (provided): noon-12:30 pm, presentation: 12:30-2:00 pm, Johnson Room, Robertson Hall
Trauma is, unfortunately, a common occurrence in our society and one that impacts a significant number of our students before and during their time at Butler University. When a person experiences trauma, it can greatly impact their ability to learn and retain new information, complicating their success as a student. In this session, we will explore how faculty and staff can develop a trauma-informed educational experience to support young adults who have experienced trauma and help them thrive.
Space is limited. RSVP to STEP@butler.edu required.
“The Power of Listening” presented by Amanda Stevenson-Holmes, Instructor of Strategic Communication
Wednesday, October 29, 11:00 am-noon, Atherton Union 326
Discover the transformative power of truly listening in this interactive one-hour workshop. Through guided exercises and reflection, participants will explore key techniques to deepen their listening skills, enhance empathy, and foster more meaningful connections in both personal and professional settings.
Guests will receive a meal voucher to enjoy lunch with colleagues following the session. Space is limited. RSVP to STEP@butler.edu required.
“Doing Good in the Community” presented by Hanako Gavia, Associate Director of Student Experience and Engagement
Thursday, November 6, 11:00 am-noon, Atherton Union 326
Session description coming soon.
Guests will receive a meal voucher to enjoy lunch with colleagues following the session. Space is limited. RSVP to STEP@butler.edu required.
“Tips and Tricks for Analyzing Qualtrics Reports” presented by Sierra Davis, Information Systems Analyst
Friday, December 5, 10:00-11:00 am, via Zoom
Session description coming soon.
RSVP to STEP@butler.edu to receive login information.
“Green Dot – Violence Prevention Training” presented by Jules Grable, Director of Student Advocacy
Friday, February 20, 11:00 am-noon, Atherton Union 326
Session description coming soon.
Guests will receive a meal voucher to enjoy lunch with colleagues following the session. Space is limited. RSVP to STEP@butler.edu required.
“Burnout: How to prevent it. How to heal from it.” presented by Brenda Johnston, Associate Professor of Arts Administration*
Wednesday, February 25, lunch (provided): noon-12:30, workshop: 12:30-2:30, Ford Salon, Robertson Hall
All faculty and staff are invited to join us for this lunch and learn focused on wellness, where we will explore expert tips and tools for preventing and healing from burnout. Participants will have the opportunity to develop their own mini-plans for wellness and recovery.
* rescheduled from originally planned session date during 2024-25 academic year
RSVP to rdegrazi@butler.edu is required.
Other upcoming workshops and activities for 2025-26
DATE(S) PENDING:
- Creating a “Student Ready Campus'”
- Hinkle Fieldhouse tour
- Using Poll Everywhere
- Group fitness wellness series
- Office of Sustainability and Butler Farm
- Reading/discussion group for staff
- “Step with STEP”
- And more!
To request disability-related accommodations or inquire about accessibility, please contact STEP@butler.edu. Please allow two weeks’ advance notice in order to allow adequate time to make arrangements. Although attempts will be made to honor accommodation requests with less notice, it cannot be guaranteed that without two weeks’ notice a reasonable accommodation can be provided.
Sound bathing is an experience designed solely to help you relax. Singing bowls, gongs, chimes, turning forks, and ambient music are there to help you get out of your head and into your body.
There are many benefits to sound bathing, such as the promotion of deep rest and relaxation. The only thing you need to do is show up and relax.
Free to all faculty, staff, and students. No registration required.
- Tuesday, June 17, noon-1 pm, South Campus 001M
- Tuesday, July 22, noon-1 pm, South Campus 001M
Please plan to arrive a few minutes early if possible to allow adequate time to settle in.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost, the Staff Training and Enrichment Program (STEP), and the Center for Faculty Excellence.
STEP with STEP 2025 took place from Monday, February 3 through March 29.
Step with STEP 2025 Winners:
First place solo walker: Angela Mager First place buddy team: Angie Strati and Catie Triplet First place quad team: Amy Arnold, Kelli Esteves, Brooke Kandel, Alexis Methner |
Second place solo walker: Rachel Nader Second place buddy team: Doris Schwandt and Lisa Whitaker Second place quad team: Heidi Benson, Joy Penrose, Heather Wandrei, Michelle Worthington |
Third place solo walker: Liliana Goens Third place buddy team: Jill Beckman and Kathy Hankins Third place quad team: Katie Coby, Beth Hospodarsky, Susan Morton, Andrea Odle |
Click here to view the weekly leaderboard results (Google sheet – must be logged in with Butler credentials to view)
Congratulations to our over 100 participants who collectively logged over 41,593,577 steps during the wellness initiative this spring! A group lunch will also be held on April 3, 2025 to celebrate everyone who participated in the program.
Questions? Email STEP@butler.edu
New for summer 2025, academic staff are invited to join Nii Abrahams and the Student Experience and Engagement (S.E.E.) team for a fun and inspiring dive into The Power of Moments by best-selling authors Chip and Dan Heath. Together, we’ll explore how small, intentional moments can shape the student experience and the collective campus culture. Through lively discussions with peers across campus, we’ll brainstorm and encourage creative ways to create memorable moments—moments that elevate, inspire, and connect our students in meaningful ways. Whether you work directly with students or behind the scenes, you’re a vital part of shaping our vibrant community. Let’s dream big and collaborate to make Butler even better—one moment at a time!
Books provided for the first 35 to register! Click here to register by Friday, May 9.
Anticipated meeting schedule is below. Dates and times are varied to accommodate various schedules. To create opportunity for most engaging and meaningful interactions and conversations the meetings will take place in-person, however we will make every effort to accommodate those who can only attend virtually, unless circumstances make it unfeasible.
Introduction (Chapter 1 & 2): Defining Moments and Thinking in Moments
Thursday, June 5th – 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM
Elevation (Chapter 3 & 4): Build Peaks and Break the Script
Wednesday, June 11th – 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Insight (Chapters 5 & 6): Trip Over the Truth and Stretch for Insight
Thursday, June 26th – 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Pride: (Chapters 7, 8, & 9): Recognize Others, Multiply Milestones, and practice Courage
Wednesday, July 2nd – 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Connection (Chapters 10 & 11): Create Shared Meaning and Deepen Ties
Monday, July 14th – 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Conclusion (Chapter 12): Making Moments Matter
Wednesday, July 30th – 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM (Lunch and celebration)
Questions? Contact STEP@butler.edu.
- Rebecca DeGrazia, Academic Affairs Assistant, Office of the Provost
- Calie Dickey, Associate Director for Study Abroad, Center for Global Education
- Beth Hospodarsky, Technical Specialist, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
- Mike Thomas, Sr. Associate Director, Career and Professional Success
- Holly Zimbelman, Administrative Specialist, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean’s Office and International Studies