Staff Salon Builds Connection Across All Three Schools
This academic year, President Holmes-Sullivan is hosting a series of open-house-style staff salons at her home to build cross-campus connections and foster community.
More than 80 staff members were invited to attend Lewis & Clark’s first Staff Salon hosted by President Robin Holmes-Sullivan at the Cooley House on September 19.
“Staff Salons are part of a bigger initiative to build a stronger community of care,” President Holmes-Sullivan said. “Making Lewis & Clark the best place to work and learn is a key goal of mine. It’s all about appreciating and acknowledging the excellent individuals that make this place so special. The event also gives us a chance to leverage strength and collaborations across all three of our schools.”
See photos of staff attendees and read their comments about the event in this photo slideshow:
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“The Staff Salon is about building community and connection across all three of our schools,” President Holmes-Sullivan said.
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“The Staff Salon was a wonderful event!" Campus Safety Officer Adam Ross said. "It is easy, through the course of our daily focus, to overlook the rich experiences brought to the campus community throughout the various offices on campus. The Staff Salon allowed us to network and brainstorm across departments; bringing our ideas and experiences from beyond our pigeonholed occupations here on campus to build new ideas for everything from fundraising to alumni outreach and student engagement. It was incredibly refreshing, and I look forward to further collaboration opportunities born from this series of Salon events." (Left to right: Campus Safety Officer Adam Ross and Kathy Holmes-Sullivan)
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“It was an honor to be invited by President Robin and Kathy into their home,” Gena said. “The Staff Salon gave me an opportunity to connect with colleagues across campus in an informal yet purposeful and fun way. I appreciated the efforts by Robin, Kathy, Rachel, and Toa in creating a welcoming place for staff to make these connections.” - Director of Finance and Operations Gena Perrine
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“It was very nice to spend time with folks from other departments,” Gabe said. “Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our own day to day that we lose the opportunities to strengthen our LC community.” - Academic Operations Technician Gabe Lorca
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“I greatly enjoyed the event,” Blythe said. “I’m an alum of Lewis & Clark, and I’ve been an employee here for ten years, and I’ve never been to Cooley House! This was my first opportunity to see this amazing college residence. Also, Robin made a point of inviting staff from all three campuses, and encouraging us to mingle and brainstorm on ways we can work together. I found myself in conversation with a range of people with a wide variety of roles at Lewis & Clark and came away with a number of ideas for future collaborations.” - Director of Overseas and Off-campus Programs Blythe Knott -
“On the surface, the Staff Salon provides a rare glimpse into the beautiful Cooley House, with both home and history, decor and architecture, shared by President Robin and her wife, Kathy,” Campus Safety Officer Nick Mobley said. “At its core, the Salon at is an opportunity for disparate individuals and departments to interact and connect as one: one LC. To hear and understand the challenges and rewards of our varying jobs; to find common ground and a common mission; to support one another to those ends; to enhance the educational experiences for our students; to truly create a common community amongst many moving parts. It’s an event of great dialogue and even better company.” (Left to right: Campus Safety Officer Nick Mobley and Technical Support Coordinator Chel Pennock)
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President Robin Holmes-Sullivan meeting with staff members at the 2023 Staff Salon. -
“I was really excited to be invited to the event hosted by Robin and Kathy,” Chel said. “As a ‘regular’ staff member, it felt like an honor to be included! I really enjoyed the opportunity to be heard, visit with other staff who were invited, and to finally see the Cooley House!” (Left to right: Technical Support Coordinator Chel Pennock, Academic Operations Technician Gabe Lorca, and Director of Academic Operations Patricia Palczewska) -
"The Cooley House is a special asset of the college and Kathy and I want to share it and use it to celebrate and connect our LC community," President Holmes-Sullivan said.
“The Staff Salons serve a few different purposes,” Special Assistant to the President Rachel Martinez said. “The event gives Robin an opportunity to get to know staff, it fosters community, and it provides an occasion for staff to meet and talk with other staff members they may not otherwise mingle with.”
The Office of the President plans to host three Staff Salons this year. The invitations are built by randomizing the current staff list to ensure a variety of positions, departments, and tenure at the college. Staff are encouraged to watch their inbox for upcoming events.
