People Connections – Block 7

Stay informed and engaged with the latest HR updates, including: 

We’re giving our People Connections a new name and we want your ideas! Use the link below to suggest a name and tell us why it works. We’ll gather submissions, then invite the community to vote on the top ideas. 

Members of CC ’26 consulting class stand together outside Spencer Center during the academic block in which they partnered with Human Resources on a workplace conflict support project. Photo provided by Debi O’Connor. 

In Block 6, students in BU329 Business Organization & Management, taught by Associate Professor Christina Rader, partnered with HR to explore ways to strengthen employee support around workplace conflict. The class took initiative by grounding their work in scientific research, conducting interviews with CC employees and supervisors, and reviewing peer institutions to better understand which conflict-support tools are most effective. Their work focused on a self-guided, human-centered resource designed to help employees navigate conflict with greater confidence and clarity, including when and how to reach out for support. The project also explored employee needs and opportunities for HR to provide greater support, helping inform improvements to the HR website so employees can more easily find the right resources for workplace concerns. 

One key takeaway was that most employees first try to address conflict by speaking with peers, then supervisors, and typically turn to HR only if the issue persists. The class also found that employees value support that feels practical, clear, and approachable—especially when it comes to next steps and confidentiality. Overall, this project provided HR with a strong starting point for creating resources that are thoughtful, useful, and grounded in both research and real-life experiences. Thank you to the consulting class students, Liam Goodwin ’29, Trevor Flynn ’27, Meli Coats ’28, Gianna Martinez Vazquez ’28, Seth Constance ’28, Kevin Peraza ’28, Austin Yu ’28, and Nick Bell ’28, for the care, collaboration, and meaningful contributions they brought to this project. 

Additionally, another group of students researched and consulted on onboarding. We asked the students to identify opportunities to improve the employee onboarding process, with a focus on engaging new employees and supporting longer-term outcomes such as retention. They identified several themes that can improve the onboarding experience, including fostering early social connections to drive engagement and retention; recognizing the critical role managers play in onboarding success and newcomer adjustment; providing clear task guidance and training new hires as learners to improve performance and retention; and creating onboarding experiences that feel emotionally meaningful to strengthen long-term commitment. Thank you to Naiya Kurnik ’28, Wheeler Padgett ’27, Aidan Prezzano ’28, Elijah Ruderman ’27, Avery Hickman ’27, Ross Cockrell ’28, Grace McDonnell ’27, and Justin Boder ’27 for all of your hard work! 

Uwill is no longer supported or offered as a mental health resource at CC. Employees continue to have access to free, confidential support through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), provided by GuidanceResources. The EAP offers short-term counseling, work-life support, and additional resources—such as financial counseling and webinars—at no cost. All services are 100% confidential. For more information, please contact HR.

We’re thrilled to continue meaningful discussions through our Performance Conversations. These conversations provide an opportunity to celebrate what is going well, identify areas that may require extra attention, and make adjustments to stay on track. The next cycle opens on Friday, May 1, and closes on Monday, June 8.  

Training to Support You   

To make sure everyone feels confident and prepared for these conversations, we have several online training courses as resources:  

We also plan to offer live training. Look for information in Today@CC! 

We remain committed to making this process meaningful and manageable for all. Thank you for your continued leadership and collaboration.

Join HR for a Bingo challenge designed to encourage small, everyday wellbeing habits. Complete activities, submit your card, and enter into a prize drawing. 

To play, pick up one or both Bingo cards from Gina Lujan at elujan@coloradocollege.edu and complete tasks in five squares in a row (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal) between Monday, April 27, and Friday, May 29. Each completed row earns one entry into the prize drawing. You may submit your card each time you complete a new row, or complete the entire card at once for up to five entries per card. Two cards are available for a maximum of 10 entries per employee. To mark your card, simply highlight or cross out the completed squares. Be sure to print your name and email on the card(s), then return completed cards to Gina Lujan by close of business on Friday, May 29. Prizes include items such as an electric scooter, a Yeti cooler, a camping chair, and more. The prize drawing will begin in early June. Prizes over $50 are subject to taxes.

Open Enrollment for benefits will take place Friday, May 1–Sunday, May 31. This is your annual opportunity to review your benefit elections and make any changes for the upcoming plan year. 

Important change this year: Open Enrollment will be an active enrollment for Optional Life Insurance. Unlike past years, if you do not actively elect or reelect Optional Life Insurance during Open Enrollment, your coverage will be terminated. 

Even if you are happy with your current coverage, we strongly encourage you to log in during Open Enrollment to review your options and confirm your elections. Additional details, resources, and reminders will be shared as Open Enrollment approaches. 

You spoke, and we listened. We will be transitioning to a new leave administrator on Wednesday, July 1. We’re excited to partner with Sun Life for all our leave administration (FMLA, Colorado Family, Short-term/Long-term Disability) and life insurance programs. The Hartford will finish out all existing claims, and any new claims made after Wednesday, July 1 will be administered by Sun Life. 

Navigating the sandwich generation: Financial strategies for the caregiving squeeze | Wednesday, April 22 | 11 a.m. ET | Register now.

Visit the HR Updates page to check out past editions of People Connections, along with recent updates from HR.

14 E. Cache La Poudre St.
Colorado Springs, CO 80903