2026 Staff Professional Development Conference

Ready to launch your understanding of WSU's financial systems? This session will help you confidently navigate Banner and Argos to track budgets, review transactions, and access the financial data you need to make informed decisions. Whether you manage accounts or simply want a better understanding of how funding flows across the university, you'll leave with practical knowledge and greater confidence using the tools that support our institutional operations.

Lisa Allen
Director
Academic Finance & Administration
Academic Affairs
Weber State University

Lisa Allen has dedicated over 35 years to Weber State University and currently serves as Director of Academic Finance and Administration. A proud WSU alumna, she supports university leadership with expertise in budget management, resource allocation, and strategic financial analysis. Known for her thoughtful, solutions-driven approach, Lisa plays a key role in advancing institutional goals. Outside of work, she enjoys family time—especially being “Gram”—as well as running, racquetball, and pickleball.

In this hands-on session, you’ll create a small, meaningful display to bring hope and positivity into your workspace. We’ll explore how your physical environment can influence your mindset—and how intentional design can uplift both you and those who visit your space.

Sandra Balthazaar
Community Programs and Partnerships Manager
Center for Community and Engaged Learning
Weber State University

Lauralee Solimeno
Community Work Study Coordinator
Center for Community and Engaged Learning
Weber State University

Everyone has a voice worth sharing. Whether you are an introvert, a seasoned presenter, or someone who prefers to stay behind the scenes, this session will provide practical strategies to build confidence in public speaking and everyday communication. Learn how to overcome nerves, share your ideas with clarity, and develop a communication style that feels authentic to you. Participants will leave with tools to speak up, connect with others, and confidently contribute in meetings, presentations, and conversations.

Rachel Badali
Director
Public Relations
Marketing and Communications
Weber State University

Inspired by the ideas in Enduring Impact by Kris Eriksen, cofounder of Workforce Science Associates, this session explores six core drivers of employee engagement: Mission, Trust, Communication, Appreciation, Support, and Growth. Together, we'll discuss how these drivers influence workplace culture and the employee experience.

We'll reflect on how we can strengthen these drivers within our own teams and across the university, identify practices that support a thriving workplace, and consider what might be getting in the way. You'll leave with fresh perspectives and practical ideas for helping create a culture where people feel connected, supported, and engaged.

Reggie Carlisle
Assistant Director of Special Projects
Division of Online and Continuing Education
Weber State University

Reggie Carlisle serves as the Assistant Director of Special Projects in the Division of Online and Continuing Education. He is driven by a passion for connecting people with the resources and training they need to thrive and find hope. With an MBA, an MS in Management and Leadership, an MEd in Learning and Technology, and PMP and CompTIA Security+ certifications, his extensive background helps him deliver impactful programs to our student community.

Throughout history, human beings across the globe have looked up at the night sky to find meaning, connection, and wonder in the stars. However, the Western constellations many of us recognize today represent just one lens through which humanity has interpreted the cosmos.

Join us at the Ott Planetarium for a 40-minute journey through seven constellation stories from diverse cultures around the globe. Explore the rich meanings different peoples have found in the stars throughout history and discover new perspectives under one shared sky.

Take your understanding of WSU's financial systems to the next level. This session focuses on interpreting financial reports, analyzing budget activity, and using Banner and Argos to answer common business questions. Through practical examples and real-world scenarios, you'll strengthen your ability to access meaningful financial information, make informed decisions, and confidently apply these tools in your day-to-day work. While Part I provides a helpful foundation, it is not required to participate.

Lisa Allen
Director
Academic Finance & Administration
Academic Affairs
Weber State University

Lisa Allen has dedicated over 35 years to Weber State University and currently serves as Director of Academic Finance and Administration. A proud WSU alumna, she supports university leadership with expertise in budget management, resource allocation, and strategic financial analysis. Known for her thoughtful, solutions-driven approach, Lisa plays a key role in advancing institutional goals. Outside of work, she enjoys family time—especially being “Gram”—as well as running, racquetball, and pickleball.

Your career doesn't have to follow a predefined roadmap to move in a meaningful direction. In this session, you'll explore practical strategies for mapping your professional growth, whether you're pursuing a formal career path at Weber State or creating one of your own.

Together, we'll discuss tools and approaches used by Career Services to help students identify strengths, clarify goals, and plan for the future. Come explore practical ways to intentionally chart your next steps and build a career path that aligns with your goals, values, and aspirations.

Greg Nielsen
Associate Director
Career Services
Weber State University

Greg is a proud WSU alumnus with a PhD in geology and a master’s degree in educational psychology. He presently serves as the Interim Director of WSU Career Services and teaches geology courses at Weber State as an adjunct instructor. His passions include brain-based learning and helping students navigate their futures with clarity and confidence.

This interactive session will introduce staff to key dashboards in the Report Gallery that support enrollment management, student success, course planning, and institutional effectiveness.

Using real campus examples, participants will learn how to navigate the Report Gallery, identify which reports best fit their needs, and apply data to support informed decision-making in their departments. 

Attendees will explore common campus scenarios, discuss ways data can support student success, and develop a personalized "launch plan" for using data more effectively at Weber State.

Daniel Jensen
Data Training & Communication Manager
Student Success Analytics
Weber State University

Daniel Jensen, Ed.D, is currently the Data Training and Communication Manager out of the Office of Student Success Analytics at Weber State University where he supports faculty and staff with on demand data literacy courses, data tool and dashboard training resources, and live training events. His recently completed dissertation focused on perceptions of predictive analytics and early alert systems.

With over a decade of experience in higher education, Daniel has helped faculty, staff and students develop data literacy skills, enhance academic advising practices, create effective assessment strategies, and implement strategic planning initiatives to improve student outcomes and institutional effectiveness.

University employees are often tasked with sharing good advice and information. Unfortunately, even the best informative presentation can feel forgettable and boring to students. One solution when presenting to groups is to format the content as a simple story and gamify the presentation.

This presentation will show how our team used the simple slide-linking feature in Google Slides to create an Oregon Trail-type game that kept our students laughing and engaged in learning about career and major exploration. Attendees will leave knowing how to get started developing similar presentations of their own.

Katelyn Cooper
First Year Exploratory Advisor
General Education & Exploratory Advising
Weber State University

Julie Larson
Exploratory Advisor
General Education & Exploratory Advising
Weber State University

PREP is more than an annual performance review—it can be a valuable tool for supporting individual growth, strengthening teams, and aligning day-to-day work with broader organizational goals. In this session, you'll explore practical ways to use PREP to set meaningful goals, encourage ongoing conversations, and support professional development throughout the year. Whether you're a supervisor or an individual contributor, discover how PREP can become a resource for planning, communication, and continuous improvement.

Leslie Simpson
Employee Relations & Performance Specialist
Human Resources
Weber State University

Your greatest professional tool is your own presence. In this session, you'll learn to build self-confidence by understanding limiting beliefs, escaping the comparison trap, and regulating your nervous system. We will explore how dysregulation affects interactions with students and colleagues, equipping you with the practical tools you need to reclaim your confidence. 

Angie Collinwood
Academic Advisor
Department of Teacher Education
College of Social Sciences & Education
Weber State University