4D Symposium Morning Session 2

The Power of Play to Enhance Well-Being

Julianne Mitchell – Clinical Associate Professor, Graduate School of Social Work | Mia Sundstrom – Assisstant Coach, DU Women's Gymnastics  | David Thomas - Executive Director for Online Programing

Track: Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, Staff, Faculty, Community Members

Play is a fundamental aspect of human development and well-being, yet it is often overlooked in adulthood. This session explores the profound impact of play on emotional, cognitive, and social health, drawing from research and therapeutic practices. Participants will engage in reflective exercises to identify their "play nature" and explore how integrating play into daily life enhances resilience, creativity, and overall well-being. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to harness play for personal and professional growth.

Zine Scene: Your Journey, Your Art

Alisha Harris – Graduate Student

Track: Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, Staff, Faculty, Community Members

In this hands-on workshop, participants will craft personal mini-zines as a way to explore their identities, values, and life journeys. By mixing collage elements, writing, and simple illustrations, attendees will gain fresh insights into who they are and what guides their growth. We’ll discuss how creating zines can foster empathy, celebrate diverse voices, and connect us more deeply with ourselves and each other. We’ll also touch on optional digital approaches for those interested in taking their zines online. Come ready to reflect, share, and discover new dimensions of your story—no prior artistic experience required.

Bridging Generational Differences in the Workplace Using the GENE Framework

Tanner Anderson – Assistant Director, Student Activities

Track: Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, Staff, Community Members

This guided roundtable discussion will explore generational differences in the workplace using a structured framework to identify key values, needs, and communication styles across generations. Attendees will engage in collaborative discussions to analyze real-world workplace scenarios and discover effective engagement strategies tailored to a multigenerational workforce. This session will provide actionable insights to help leaders and employees navigate generational diversity with confidence, improving workplace relationships and organizational success.

Dear Future Self: Building Reflection into Discoveries Orientation

Brie Jutte – Director, New Student and Family Programs | 4D Peer Mentors

Track: Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, Staff, Faculty, Community Members

New Student & Family Programs works to partner with the 4D team on embedding the foundational elements of mentorship, experiences, and reflection into the overall New Student Welcome Experience. In 2024, we piloted building a reflection activity of a Letter to My Future Self into Discoveries Orientation. This session will provide an overview of how we worked with the 4D team, share what we learned about this pilot year, and allow you the space to brainstorm how to bring reflection into your work. Finally, we will end with asking participants to write their own letter to their future self.

Everyday AI: Modeling Thoughtful Use as Faculty and Staff

Mark Nussbaum | Career Advisor, Career & Professional Development

Track: Staff, Faculty