Faculty and Staff Conferences
The EMU Faculty and Staff Conferences aim to cultivate community at the start and close of each academic year. These gatherings provide vital space for faculty and staff to reconnect and welcome new colleagues. Whether energizing for the year ahead or reflecting on the months passed, we use this collective time for worship, thought-provoking input, conversation, and fellowship.
A Note from the Provost:
Our work at EMU asks a great deal of us. We are educators, scholars, mentors, colleagues,
and stewards of a mission that matters. That is why gathering matters.
Faculty and Staff Conference gives us permission to step away from the urgency of
our everyday work and make space for the work that is harder to schedule: listening
to one another, asking better questions, learning something new, celebrating what
we have accomplished, and imagining what our students and our university need from
us next.
I hope each conference leaves us not only informed, but inspired, connected, and ready to do the work ahead together.
— Tynisha Willingham
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
2026 Fall Conference:
“Power & Equity: Power is a Verb”
This year, we turn toward Power & Equity — an honest look at how power moves through a university, and what it means to hold it responsibly, for our students and for each other. President Shannon Dycus opens the conversation with her President's Address on Tuesday, August 18, setting the tone for the year ahead.
Tuesday, August 18, 2026 |
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8:30 - 9:00 am |
Centering and Worship |
Martin Chapel |
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9:00-9:30 am |
Coffee Break and Bingo |
Martin Chapel & Fellowship Area |
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9:30 - 9:45 am |
Welcome |
Martin Chapel |
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9:45 - 10:30 am |
Presidential Address |
Martin Chapel |
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10:30 - 10:45 am |
Break |
Fellowship Area |
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10:45 - Noon |
Plenary Session: Faith, Power & Belonging |
Martin Chapel |
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Noon - 1:00 pm
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Lunch - Main Dining Room |
Main Dining Room |
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1:00 - 2:00 pm |
Space for Rest |
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2:00 - 2:50 pm |
Introduction to University Theme |
Martin Chapel |
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3:00 - 4:00 pm |
Listening and Learning Circles |
Seminary various locations |
See Conference Program for details
Wednesday, August 19, 2026 |
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8:30 - 9:00 am |
Coffee Break and Welcome to New Employees |
Suter Science Center |
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9:00 am - Noon |
Faculty & Staff Learning Sessions |
Suter Science Center various locations |
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12:00 - 1:00 pm |
Lunch on Your Own |
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1:30 - 2:30 pm |
Faculty and Staff Learning Sessions |
Suter Science Center various locations |
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3:00 pm |
Afternoon Treat & Play Together Activities |
Suter Science Center various locations |
Previous Conferences
2025 Faculty/Staff Conference: “Sustain Together”
Dr. Gloria Rhodes, plenary speaker
2024 Faculty/Staff Gathering: "Faith & Meaning"
Dr. Susan Schultz Huxman, plenary speaker
2023 Faculty/Staff Gathering: "Imagine Together"
Dr. Tynisha Willingham, plenary speaker
Dr. Safwat Marzouk, plenary speaker
2021 Faculty/Staff Fall Conference: "Grow Together"
Dr. Chris Johnson, plenary speaker
2018 Faculty/Staff Fall Conference: "Being or Becoming a Third Way University"
Dr. Felipe Hinojosa, plenary speaker
2017 Faculty/Staff Fall Conference
Dr. Susan Schultz Huxman, plenary speaker
2016 Faculty/Staff Fall Conference: "Embracing Diversity"
Dr. Christena Cleveland, plenary speaker
Session I
Session II
2015 Faculty/Staff Fall Conference
Storytelling: Jennifer North Bauman, Michael King, and Laura Yoder
2014 Faculty/Staff Fall Conference: “Serving and Leading.”
John Stahl-Wert, plenary speaker.
Storytelling: Linda Gnagey, Ann Hershberger, Jason Lewkowicz, Lynn Veurink, and Dee
Weikle.
2013 Faculty/Staff Fall Conference: “Serving with Compassion.”
Leonard Dow, plenary speaker.
Storytelling: Tara Kishbaugh, Galen Lehman, and Andrea Wenger.
2012 Faculty/Staff Fall Conference: “Creativity in the University.”
Ted Swartz, plenary speaker.
