(391) Building a Sustainable Culture of Support for Pharmacy Faculty and Staff at a Public University

Objective: To describe activities among faculty, staff, and students in the School of Pharmacy (SOP) at the University of Connecticut (UConn) that help encourage faculty and staff value and appreciation.

Methods: Since returning full time from the pandemic, faculty and staff at the UConn SOP reported feeling disconnected from one another. Changes in morale were identified from annual surveys and noted during faculty and staff meetings. The SOP addressed this need to boost morale and wellness with the support of multiple groups such as Dean’s Student Liaison Committee, Staff Enhancement Committee, and a newly created Wellness Committee.

Results: The UConn SOP has seen a significant increase in activities to support faculty, staff, and student wellness and foster a positive and sustainable culture of appreciation. Examples include: (1) Mental Health First Aid training (2) Student shout outs to faculty and staff at SOP meetings, (3) Wellness Committee events such as student and faculty/staff walks and afternoon teas, (4) student distribution of end of the year paper plate awards to faculty and staff as a sign of appreciation (5) twice a year faculty and staff social gatherings, (6) recent increased efforts to nominate faculty and staff for various University and School awards, and (7) a leadership workshop for faculty and staff.

Conclusion: UConn SOP members have been involved in a concerted effort to show faculty and staff they are appreciated. Value and appreciation of faculty and staff has become an institutionalized and enduring part of our SOP culture through our Strategic Plan, our Executive Leadership Committee, and a variety of standing faculty, student, and staff-led committees.