This year’s much-anticipated professional leadership development workshops, exclusively for alumni of the University of St. Thomas-Houston, promise to top last year’s. And that is a bold promise. Thanks to the outstanding reputation of the 2022 series, attendance capacity had to be expanded for the first scheduled workshop of 2023.   

Alumni Board of Directors member Ashley Scott ’04, MCTM ’20, who came up with the idea to offer such sessions, was thrilled to add so many seats this year. Scott believes the more, the merrier.

She said, “I believe we are each other’s greatest resource. As long as we come together and shake each other up, we’re going to spark something new in our lives.”

Focus on Communication in the Workplace

After scanning the transformational leadership horizon to determine where to focus this current series, UST’s Career Services, Alumni Relations and Alumni Association chose to center on communication in the work setting and partner with FranklinCovey’s Dr. Jessica McCann. Each workshop is designed to stand alone but explores a facet of the overarching communication theme.

·      1st Session, Feb. 8 -- “Pitch Perfect: Communicating an Idea” (includes how to persuade and influence, reasons why people tune out while you’re talking, pitch template)

·      2nd Session, March 7 – “Quiet Communications” (Seek first to understand, then to be understood. Open up thought about listening to build influence, listening empathetically, listening to generate collaboration and innovation)

·      3rd Session, April 13 – “Communication in Practice: Situations Where It Matters Most” (includes difficult conversations, leading through change, giving feedback, sharing vision and strategy)

“We chose to focus on communication in the workplace because it’s crucial to success,” Scott explained. “We need skillsets to communicate with intention so we can truly be known, convey our sincere thoughts in teams and texts, and not be misread. We need to know how to communicate with authenticity.”

Driving the Buzz

Alumni from the previous workshops reported discovering their strengths, acquiring valuable tools and skills, and noticing results. Their feedback included securing a new position, being assigned more leadership responsibility, and feeling increased confidence at work.

With these high-caliber professional development offerings, St. Thomas once again demonstrates its pride in, and support of, its alumni.

Scott added, “UST is a community, a network,” she said proudly. “You don’t outgrow it. It grows with you and is here for you when you’re ready.”

To inquire about upcoming alumni events, contact alumni@stthom.edu .