Feb. 6 Staff Meeting recap
Skidmore College’s Feb. 6 staff meeting included updates from senior leadership and staff on a range of campus initiatives, from Human Resources programming and strategic planning to budget considerations, enrollment updates, and institutional diversity efforts.
President Marc Conner opened the meeting with a moment of silence honoring Cathy Hill, a dedicated member of the Management and Business faculty and a leader in the College’s entrepreneurship programs, who died Feb. 1. Sarah Delaney Vero, general counsel and vice president for Human Resources, reminded employees that support and resources are available through Human Resources.
Human Resources
Julie Delay, chief human resources officer, introduced new staff and highlighted HR’s continued focus on employee well-being and professional growth. Lovelyne Pierre, associate director of employee relations and organization, highlighted upcoming professional development opportunities and events:
- Lovefest — Feb. 13
- Wave of Change — Feb. 17
- HR Coffee Conversation — Feb. 26
- Supervisor Training — March 11
- Building Trust and Relationships in the Workplace — March 23
- Everything DiSC Session — March 18
Upcoming wellness offerings include:
- Plant-Based Eating Challenge — currently underway
- Guided Meditation Sessions — Wednesdays in February
- Chair Massages –— Feb. 18, March 18, and April 15
- Minutes in Motion Challenge — April 6 and May 3
- Retirement Planning Workshop — March 4-6
- TIAA Individual Counseling Sessions — various dates
- Fitness Classes — spring semester and June
More information is available on the HR website.
strategic Planning and Institutional Diversity
Joshua Woodfork, vice president for strategic planning and institutional diversity, provided an update of the Strategic Plan, with a focus on its fourth foundation, which emphasizes Skidmore's commitment to building an inclusive community. He also reminded employees of key support services including all gender restrooms maps, the college’s name policy, and employee resource groups.
Mariel Martin, director of the Wyckoff Center, shared offers at Lovefest on Feb. 13, and upcoming programming in celebration of Black History Month including:
- Black Men Speaking: A Conversation with eight African American Writers — 4–5 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 18, via Zoom
- Back History Month Kick-Off with Ujima — 5–8 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 1, Frederick Allen Lodge
The presentation ended with discussions about forming a task force on accessibility and efforts to create a land acknowledgement for Skidmore.
President’s Remarks
President Marc Conner addressed recent higher education headlines and Skidmore's position within the broader industry, urging employees to continue referring to the Strategic Plan. He noted that the February Board of Trustees meeting will focus on the Strategic Plan and the upcoming fundraising campaign.
On finances, he discussed ongoing budget challenges, noted significant budget deficits were projected in the future, and emphasized the need to reduce expenses. The president stressed that adapting to these changes will require creativity, collaboration, and rethinking how Skidmore delivers its education without sacrificing quality or impact.
President Conner also shared enrollment updates, including a revised target of 680 students for the entering first-year class, and noted progress in the search for a new Collyer vice president for advancement.
He reaffirmed the College’s commitment to clear and consistent communication as decisions are made.
The meeting ended with a Q&A on a range of topics.
The next staff meeting will be 1–2 p.m. Friday, March. 6. The full schedule is available online. Staff members are encouraged to offer feedback, suggest agenda items, and ask questions through the online staff input form.
