Albany State University (ASU) welcomed faculty and staff back to campus this week with its annual Fall Faculty and Staff Conference, held August 6–7 on the West Campus. Under the theme “Facing the Future Together,” the two-day event served as a call to collective purpose and renewed commitment as the university begins a new academic year. 

The conference opened with remarks from Student Government Association President Jonathan Bing, followed by an address from ASU President Dr. Robert Scott, who encouraged the campus community to embrace a return to the basics—refining how they serve, lead, and support one another.

“When we commit to individual excellence, we unlock institutional potential,” Dr. Scott said. “That’s how we build an Albany State that is bigger, bolder, and ready to lead—with clarity, discipline, and consistency.”

Dr. Scott outlined a vision for change and continuous improvement, emphasizing that institutional transformation begins with mastering the fundamentals. He introduced six Presidential Learning Task Forces, each focused on identifying challenges, generating solutions, and laying the foundation for ASU’s next chapter:

1. Recruitment, Student Success, and Service Excellence

2. Institutional Trust, Culture, and Community Perceptions

3. Academic Innovation & Institutional Reputation, Faculty and Staff Engagement

4. Strategic Resourcing & Organizational Capacity

5. Fundraising, Alumni Engagement, and University Branding

6. Process, Policy, and Operational Consistency

The President noted that these efforts are part of a three-year change cycle designed to position ASU as a regional leader in key areas.

The morning concluded with a powerful keynote from Shola Richards, bestselling author, CEO of Go Together Global, and internationally recognized speaker on workplace happiness and resilience. His talk, “Unstoppable Resilience,” challenged attendees to rethink how they show up for themselves and others in difficult times.

Richards emphasized that mental health and kindness must be institutional priorities.

“Kind and nice are not the same,” he shared. “Nice is something you do. Kind is something you are. In every interaction, you are either giving life or draining it—there is no neutral exchange.”

He offered three keys to building personal and professional resilience:

• Control the controllables – your actions, effort, and attitude

• Enter the storm – facing challenges head-on rather than avoiding them

• Build your crew – cultivate a community that offers psychological safety and support

The event also recognized excellence across the university with the 2025 Of the Year Awards:

• Service of the Year: Dr. Jennifer Heyer

• Staff of the Year: Rashan Johnson

• Scholar of the Year: Claudia Calder

• Faculty of the Year: Dr. Elizabeth Kuipers and Dr. Erica DeCuir

Faculty and staff also donated 50 bookbags filled with supplies for the Lily Pad Center.

The conference continued with breakout sessions focused on professional development, collaboration, and institutional goals.

Together, faculty and staff left energized and united around the year’s mission—facing the future together,with purpose, resilience, and a shared commitment to the success of every student and colleague.