Connecting the Dots Conference

Save the dates! The 20th annual Connecting the Dots virtual conference is set for October 28, 29, and 30, 2025, with Zoom Webinars at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. each day. These six sessions will be presented at no charge to the U-M community!

Resources available

The 19th annual Connecting the Dots conference was held in October 2024. Five Zoom webinars were offered free of charge, with over 2,000 live webinar views! Select the session title listed on this page to access the slide presentations and other helpful information.

2024 Connecting the Dots Virtual Conference

October 8 at 10:00 a.m. | Little Changes, Big Results: Empower Yourself and Your Family with Healthy Habits
Tuesday, 10:00 to 11:15-11:30 a.m. | Little Changes, Big Results: Empower Yourself and Your Family with Healthy Habits

Presenter: Brad Newman, M.A., Wellness and Grants Coordinator and Interim Program Manager for Project Healthy Schools (PHS), MHealthy

Discover the power and control you have in shaping a healthier life for you and your family! Join us for an insightful session on creating healthy habits. Learn how daily thoughts and behaviors influence our choices and how you can harness this knowledge to supercharge your health, one decision at a time. This engaging and practical presentation will cover essential health topics, including healthy eating, physical activity, sleep, and social-emotional health. You will gain valuable insights into how these health behaviors are interconnected and receive actionable tips to improve your well-being. As you participate in this user-friendly session, you will also learn about Project Healthy Schools, a U-M school-based health education program that educates youth across Michigan. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your health and that of your family in an enjoyable and informative setting!

Slide presentation
October 8 at 2:00 p.m. | Intuitive Eating: Explore Your Relationship with Food
Tuesday, 2:00 to 3:15-3:30 p.m. | Intuitive Eating: Explore Your Relationship with Food

Presenter: Stacy Knasiak, Registered Dietician, Health Educator, MHealthy

Discover how Intuitive Eating can transform your relationship with food and your body in this informative session. You will learn about the 10 Principles of Intuitive Eating for a new perspective to help build a lifestyle focused on being kind to yourself, being thankful for your body, eating mindfully, and enjoying movement. By attending this session, you will gain practical tools and insights to help you develop a healthier, more positive approach to eating and body image. Empower yourself to make informed, compassionate choices that promote overall well-being and happiness. Join us to unlock the benefits of Intuitive Eating and embrace a balanced, fulfilling lifestyle!

Slide presentation

Getting to Know Your Hunger handout
October 9 at 10:00 a.m. | Manage Your Career Like a Project: Tools and Strategies to Meet Your Goals
Wednesday, 10:00 to 11:15-11:30 a.m. | Manage Your Career Like a Project: Tools and Strategies to Meet Your Goals

Presenter: Amy Fredell, M.A, P.M.P., Project Manager, Organizational Learning

Unlock the potential to steer your career with the precision and effectiveness of a well-managed project. In this session, you will discover how project management tools and U-M career resources can help you design a personalized and strategic career plan. You will learn how to integrate career development and project management theories to create a clear vision and actionable steps. By participating in this session, you will gain:

Practical Tools: Learn how to use project management tools to organize and advance your career development.

Actionable Steps: Develop specific, tangible actions to confidently navigate your career path.

University Resources: Explore valuable U-M career resources that can support your journey.

Confidence Boost: Gain the skills and knowledge needed to increase your confidence in achieving your career goals.

Join us to empower yourself with the knowledge and strategies to map out your next career steps!

Slide presentation
October 9 at 2:00 p.m. | Cultivating Mindful Self-Compassion and Gratitude
Wednesday, 2:00 to 3:15-3:30 p.m. | Cultivating Mindful Self-Compassion and Gratitude

Presenters:

Alexander Jendrusina, Ph.D., Faculty and Staff Counselor, FASCCO

Joanne Bernard, M.S.W., L.M.S.W., Faculty and Staff Counselor, FASCCO

“Being mindful” or “being grateful” have become popular sentiments these days. However, did you know that mindfulness dates back centuries? Come learn mindfulness-based strategies and ways to practice gratitude that can enhance your emotional well-being and mental health. You can expect to leave with specific ideas and techniques you can try in your day-to-day life that can increase your ability to be in the moment, enhance compassion, and experience more gratitude.

Slide presentation

UHR Mindfulness Article

FASCCO virtual presentations

Mental Wellness Mondays

A Breath of Fresh Air
October 10 at 2:00 p.m. | Social Security: We are with You Through Life’s Journey
Thursday, 2:00 to 3:15 p.m. | Social Security: We are with You Through Life’s Journey

Presenter: Erin Thompson, Public Affairs Specialist, Social Security Administration

Please join us to learn how our various Social Security benefits will work for you in retirement. We will discuss online services, all of the benefit programs available to you, tips on planning, and important timelines. To help you prepare for this session, make sure you have created your personal, free account at www.ssa.gov/myaccount. Then, print and review your statement to help you with questions that will pertain specifically to you. There will be some time allotted for general Q & A following the presentation.

Slide presentation

Your personal Social Security account

Social Security Matters blog

Local Social Security Administration offices

Human Resources University of Michigan

Connecting the Dots Conference

Resources available

2024 Connecting the Dots Virtual Conference

Tuesday, 10:00 to 11:15-11:30 a.m. | Little Changes, Big Results: Empower Yourself and Your Family with Healthy Habits

Tuesday, 2:00 to 3:15-3:30 p.m. | Intuitive Eating: Explore Your Relationship with Food

Wednesday, 10:00 to 11:15-11:30 a.m. | Manage Your Career Like a Project: Tools and Strategies to Meet Your Goals

Wednesday, 2:00 to 3:15-3:30 p.m. | Cultivating Mindful Self-Compassion and Gratitude

Thursday, 2:00 to 3:15 p.m. | Social Security: We are with You Through Life’s Journey

Work-Life Programs

Connecting the Dots Conference

Resources available

2024 Connecting the Dots Virtual Conference

Tuesday, 10:00 to 11:15-11:30 a.m. | Little Changes, Big Results: Empower Yourself and Your Family with Healthy Habits

Tuesday, 2:00 to 3:15-3:30 p.m. | Intuitive Eating: Explore Your Relationship with Food

Wednesday, 10:00 to 11:15-11:30 a.m. | Manage Your Career Like a Project: Tools and Strategies to Meet Your Goals

Wednesday, 2:00 to 3:15-3:30 p.m. | Cultivating Mindful Self-Compassion and Gratitude

Thursday, 2:00 to 3:15 p.m. | Social Security: We are with You Through Life’s Journey

Work-Life Programs

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