FACULTY APPRECIATION AND WELL-BEING DAYS
April 14-18, 2025
A CAFE and Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Collaboration
ALL WEEK LONG
WIN PRIZES! Every time you attend one of the well-being activities listed below, your name will be entered in a raffle.
HEALTHY SNACKS (until they are gone!) Stop by the CAFE kitchen (310A Allen Hall) and grab some snacks to go.
MONDAY, April 14
Wonderful Women @ Work
8:30-10:00 am
Via Zoom @ https://longwood-edu.zoom.us/j/94607303015
Boost your productivity alongside your colleagues in this focused work session. Using a proven cycle—set a goal, work for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break—you’ll repeat the process three times to make real progress on your writing, grading, or research. Come ready to focus and leave with a sense of accomplishment.
Guided Meditation
11:00-11:50 am
Zoom: https://longwood-edu.zoom.us/j/95744314696?pwd=N2FsTEtpQTA1c2RrUGU1YzB0dDR1UT09
Please join us via Zoom as we gather with friends and colleagues interested in meditation and mindfulness. This group is open to all, from the never-before meditator to the well-practiced guru. We will meet to share about our lives and sit for 1-2 brief meditation sessions. The goal of these meetings is to build a community of mindful friends.
Origami, Unplugged!
1:00-3:30 pm
Allen 310—CAFE Lounge
Registration is not required, but you can let us know if you’re interested @ https://forms.gle/DriiHYiZrs6qXQic6
Join us for some fun “making” while you unplug from your technology. Origami—the Japanese art of paperfolding— can calm the mind and reduce anxiety. It can be a form of active meditation, where repetitive folding serves as a focus point that harnesses our attention away from the stresses of the day. Drop by for a few minutes to put your screens down and learn to fold some origami. We’ll provide the materials and the instructions for folding origami or for folding the spine for an interactive notebook (page holder). No previous experience is needed.
TUESDAY April 15
Navigating Faculty Burnout and Reclaiming Balance in the Semester’s Final Weeks
12:30 – 1:30 pm
CAFE Lounge (Allen 310)
Facilitator: Jenny Retallick, Trauma Specialist, CAPS
Register: https://forms.gle/ENNsRx2zrtWaXQ9w7
As the semester winds down, many faculty find themselves juggling deadlines, responsibilities, and personal commitments—all while running on empty. Join us for a supportive and practical workshop to explore realistic, research-informed strategies to navigate burnout without guilt, prioritize what matters most in the final stretch, and protect your time, energy, and joy. Together, we’ll identify ways to finish the semester with focus—and maybe even a little peace. Lunch is provided.
Well-Being Through Hobbies: Faculty Showcase
3:30-5:00
Allen 308 and 310
Drop by to talk with your colleagues about their hobbies, and to see (or hear) a sample of their leisure activities. Learn how we got started, and why it helps us relax. This showcase features:
- Beautiful handcrafted knitting and crocheting projects
- Impressive Lego architectural creations
- Live performances by our faculty music duo
- Tips and treasures from thrifting enthusiasts
- Delicious treats from our faculty bakers
P.S. There is still time for you to sign up to showcase your hobby. Please email Pam Tracy @ tracypj@longwood.edu with a brief description of your hobby.
WEDNESDAY, April 16
Guided Meditation
11:00-11:50 am
Zoom: https://longwood-edu.zoom.us/j/95744314696?pwd=N2FsTEtpQTA1c2RrUGU1YzB0dDR1UT09
Please join us via Zoom as we gather with friends and colleagues interested in meditation and mindfulness. This group is open to all, from the never-before meditator to the well-practiced guru. We will meet to share about our lives and sit for 1-2 brief meditation sessions. The goal of these meetings is to build a community of mindful friends.
Blackwell Talks After Hours – Wine Tasting Social with Dr. Chuck Ross
5:00-6:30 pm
310 Allen Hall
Register @ https://forms.gle/ASuwPEpHrmhc3EpU9
Join us for an event dedicated to faculty well-being, connection, and relaxation. Unwind with colleagues as we explore a curated selection of wines in a welcoming and conversational setting. Seats are limited to 25 faculty participants. Light appetizers included.
THURSDAY, April 17
Wonderful Women @ Work
1:00-2:30 pm
Via Zoom @ https://longwood-edu.zoom.us/j/94607303015
Boost your productivity alongside your colleagues in this focused work session. Using a proven cycle—set a goal, work for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break—you’ll repeat the process three times to make real progress on your writing, grading, or research. Come ready to focus and leave with a sense of accomplishment.
Yoga Class
2:00-3:00 pm
CAFE Classroom (Allen 308)
Register @ https://forms.gle/jLDxZWQnGNKnvYtP6
Join Longwood’s own Dr. Kat Alves, a certified yoga instructor, for a standing/chair yoga class in Allen 308. Workout attire is fine, or come in regular slacks/pants (but please note that the class isn’t well suited for business suits, skirts or dresses). Spaces are limited, and registration is required.
On Retirement: In Their Own Words
3:30 pm-5:00 pm
Allen 308; reception follows in Allen 310
Click here to RSVP at https://forms.gle/yZEGfPnfsSxxsJvT6
If you’re within 5-10 years of retirement, please join five of Longwood’s retired faculty—both recently retired and long ago retired—for an informational panel on their experiences.
FRIDAY, April 18
Stroll Longwood’s Native Plantings
9:00-9:30 am
In front of Allen Hall
Registration: https://forms.gle/1iS96g2esH12D8Td6
Join Dr. Adam M. Davis, Multidisciplinary Naturalist and Visiting Assistant Professor, as he says, “to meet and greet plants that live with us here at Longwood University.” Wear your walking shoes for a 30-minute stroll around Longwood’s Virginia native plantings. See our campus through new eyes.
Graduate Faculty Focused Productivity Session
9:30-11:00
Via Zoom @ https://longwood-edu.zoom.us/j/91060920683
Boost your productivity alongside your graduate faculty colleagues in this focused work session. Using a proven cycle—set a goal, work for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break—you’ll repeat the process three times to make real progress on your writing, grading, or research. Come ready to focus and leave with a sense of accomplishment.
In Good Company: Connecting with Colleagues & Cows
1:00-2:30 pm
Bristow Parking Lot (Pam Tracy will chauffeur, or you can drive your vehicle)
Registration: https://forms.gle/B2BKXuwUCiuWap6D8
Take a break from campus and join us for a relaxing stroll around JoEllen Pederson and Philip Poplin’s Joyful Earth farm. Enjoy the calming company of gentle bovines, reconnect with colleagues in a peaceful rural setting, and experience the simple joys of fresh air, open skies, and soft noses. This event is about slowing down, grounding ourselves, and remembering that wellness sometimes starts with a moo. Children are welcome.
