Addressing Boundaries & Burnout for Better Balance

Tuesday, October 21, 2025

9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Facilitator: Sabrina Woods

Rhode Island College, Gaige Hall Rm. 200

Have you ever found yourself having one of these thoughts?

· "I like my work and, at the same time, I see that our work has become incredibly challenging due to factors that are often outside of our control.”

· "I've noticed that stress has become increasingly prevalent, and within academic settings the pressures can be quite complex to navigate."

· “I’m dedicated to my job, and to supporting our students. Sometimes, however, I feel pushed or caught between competing needs at work, or between work and personal life.”

If you could relate to any of these statements, we invite you to join us! This interactive session will explore the critical issues of burnout and boundary-setting in academia. We will learn to recognize the signs of burnout, understand its impact on our personal and professional lives, and discover practical strategies to prevent and address it.

Through guided exercises and group discussions, you’ll gain valuable insights into working towards healthier boundaries and an enhanced sense of well-being. We’ll provide a supportive environment aiming for a sense of community and connection. A place where you can share experiences, learn from your peers, and develop an action plan for implementing small changes that can result in a life with more balance.

9:00 – 9:30 Coffee & Connection

9:30 – 12:00 Program

Facilitator: Sabrina Woods is a holistic career coach and international trainer with 20 years in the higher education field within career services at universities including Northeastern, Harvard and the University of London. In her private practice, her joy comes from tapping holistic and mindfulness-based practices while helping people with major career and life transitions. Sabrina also facilitates workshops, staff retreats and train-the-trainer sessions ranging from the Myers Briggs to Mindfulness to Building the Foundations for Career Advancement. Her workshops combine her insights, enthusiasm and infectious energy. Sessions have been taught in the US, UK and Middle East for organizations ranging from MIT and Princeton to Cook County Health and Vanguard.

Program Fee: A fee of $90.00 per participant will be billed to each institution.

Courageous Conversations: Effectively Navigating Challenging Conversations

Thursday, November 20, 2025

9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Facilitator: Ilhiana Rojas Saldana

Bryant University, Fisher Student Center Rm 2AB

In this interactive workshop, participants will gain valuable insights to engage in courageous conversations that will lead to positive outcomes during challenging situations. Participants will learn practical strategies and techniques to effectively navigate difficult discussions and foster productive dialogues with confidence and skill. The workshop will leverage the DISC assessment tool, which provides a framework for understanding different communication styles and preferences.

Key takeaways:

Understanding Communication Styles: Uncover the different communciation styles and preferences and learn how to adapt to various styles during challenging conversations.
Develop Adaptive communication: Learn adaptive communication strategies and increase your confidence to hold courageous conversations with empathy and understanding.
Effective Resolution: Learn practical techniques to navigate difficult conversations to overcome common challenges and find common ground.

This session requires you to complete a DISC assessment and a survey prior to the session to identify your behavioral & communication style. You will be provided with the assessment and survey links with clear instructions well in advance of the session. The assessment will take less than 8 minutes to complete and only you will have access to the resulting report. Your responses will be kept strictly confidential. You will receive a link to complete the assessment approximately two weeks before the workshop.

Facilitator: Ilhiana Rojas Saldana

Ilhiana Rojas Saldana is a Transformation Strategy Coach & Consultant, a Diversity & Inclusion Catalyst, a Hispanic advocate, and an international motivational speaker. She is a possibility thinker and a firm believer that nothing is impossible. Her mission is to empower professionals to move from ordinary to extraordinary through meaningful transformation by helping them embrace their purpose, elevate their voice, expand their potential, and thrive through personal empowerment. Ilhiana graduated with honors as a Chemical Engineer in Mexico City and moved to Rhode Island 9 years ago with her husband and two daughters.

Program Fee: A fee of $90.00 per participant will be billed to each institution.