First Year Flourish is a cultural onboarding program designed specifically for new Student Affairs staff to help them learn about divisional norms, build community, find a safe space, and know where to find resources that will feed their growth at Berkeley and beyond. Cultural onboarding is crucial to ensuring staff succeed at an organization and feel like they belong.
Flourish (verb)
To grow or develop in a healthy or vigorous way, especially as a result of a particularly favorable environment.
Eligible Staff
Staff are eligible to participate if they are:
- New staff members (within their first year in Student Affairs).
- Represented, non-represented, and contract staff (everyone is welcome). This is not a program for student staff.
- Those looking to expand their professional skills and community ties.
- Someone who missed their initial Student Affairs onboarding.
Program Modules
First Year Flourish includes 9 informational modules that are available through bCourse covering topics ranging from holistic wellness to professional development support and more. Staff can complete the modules on a timeline that works for them, though we recommend completing these within the first year of employment. Each module has a corresponding in-person or virtual program session (see below). We recommend that you complete the relevant module before attending the related session.
First Year Modules Coming Soon!
Program Session Schedule
In addition to the modules, First Year Flourish includes in-person and virtual program sessions that dive deeper into the material, and also provide invaluable opportunity for connection and community building with Student Affairs peers. Program sessions include a general orientation, campus tour, and sessions that dive deeper into each of the 9 topics discussed in the program modules. Staff are welcome to participate in however many program sessions they would like of the program, and can start at any time during the course of the program/year!
Orientation and campus tours have multiple dates throughout the year to help welcome new employees when they first arrive.
2024-25 Program Session Schedule
Orientation (virtual or in-person)
Dates: August 28, October 23, December 4, February 19, April 23, June 18
Time: 10–11:30 a.m.
Location: Virtual or in-person at 103 Sproul Hall (Admissions Presentation Room
October 23 Registration (in-person)
December 4 Registration (virtual)
Student Affairs Campus Tour (in-person)
Dates: September 4, November 7, March 19, May 15
Time: 10–12 p.m.
October 24, 2024
Time: 2-4 p.m.
Location: Meet at Sproul Hall south steps
Navigating Campus: Berkeley Basics and staff resources
Date: September 26
Time: 10–11:30 a.m.
Location: Virtual
Sign-up: Zoom registration
Student Profile and Experience: who are our students and who are our staff?
Date: October 15 (New Date)
Time: 10-11:30 a.m.
Location: Unit 1 APR
Sign-up: Google Form
Connecting with Leaders in the Division
Date: November 14
Time: 1-3:30 p.m.
Location: Anchor House
Student Affairs Strategic Plan
Date: December 12
Time: 10-11:30 a.m.
Location: virtual
Adjusting and Re-evaluating
Date: January 16, 2025
Time: 10–11:30 a.m.
Location: TBD
Holistic Wellness Support
Date: February 13, 2025
Time: 10–11:30 a.m.
Location: University Health Services
Organizational Values
Date: March 13, 2025
Time: 10–11:30 a.m.
Location: Virtual
Professional Development Support
Date: April 10, 2025
Time: 10–11:30 a.m.
Location: Career Center
Navigating Performance Management
Date: May 8, 2025
Time: 10–11:30 a.m.
Location: Virtual
Building Ongoing Community and Professional Networks
Date: June 12, 2025
Time: 10–11:30 a.m.
Location: Eshleman Hall
End of program celebration event
Information to come
We hope that you join us.
Questions?
Contact us at firstyearflourish@berkeley.edu