Engineering Staff Events
Tai Chi 30-minute Recharge Session
Monday, September 28 | 2:00 - 2:30 p.m. | Rodman Room (Thornton A238)
Join fellow staff and faculty for a relaxing introduction to gentle movement, balance, and mindfulness led by Materials Science faculty member Jerry Floro. Jerry is both a student and an instructor at the Charlottesville Tai Chi Center. No experience necessary! All staff and faculty are welcome! Come discover how Tai Chi can help reduce stress, improve focus, and support overall well-being.
Sign Up Here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/50MevhJqJL?origin=lprLink
Pickleball Clinic
Want to see what all the excitement is about? Signup and find out!
Tuesday, October 13, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. at the Perry Fishburne Pickle Ball Courts (behind the Dells).
Check out the Photo Gallery!
Visit the gallery for photos from past events!
Past Events
Do you want to help your community?
Come join the Engineering team in our annual United Way Day of Caring!
Support our community, have fun while working, and get to spend time with your colleagues outside of work making the world a little better.
Chair Yoga Wellness Break
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
12:00 PM – 12:30 PM Chair Yoga, 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM Ice Cream Social
Darden Court (rain location: Rodman Room, Thornton A238)
Take a moment in your day to reset with gentle stretching, light breathing exercises, and a calming environment. Simply bring yourself and enjoy a rejuvenating mid‑daybreak.
>> RSVP so that we have enough chairs for everyone!
Team-Building at Poplar Ridge
Tuesday, May 5, 2026 | 2:30 - 5:00 p.m. | Poplar Ridge, UVA, Edgemont Rd.
Join us for an energizing SEAS afternoon designed to help us step away from our desks, recharge, laugh, collaborate, and build stronger connections across our School of Engineering teams! In this fun, blended program featuring Low Challenge Course activities PLUS Mobile Team‑Building elements, we will take on creative team challenges, solve problems with limited resources (and lots of laughter), participate in activities that work for every ability and comfort level, and reflect together on how these experiences connect to our real‑world teamwork at SEAS. This is designed to be active but not strenuous.
RSVP* via the following form by Thursday, April 30, 2026: https://forms.office.com/r/Ae039gkz4p *Waiver document must be completed in advance. You can upload it to the RSVP form, or print and bring it with you: https://rec.virginia.edu/sites/recsports/files/2025/Waiver%20Poplar%20Ridge%20Challenge%20Course%201.2.24.doc
Employees should connect with their direct supervisor to discuss time away from the office.
Additional Information: Frequently Asked Questions
Parking:
- Option 1: Meet at 2:15 PM at E3 Visitor Parking for the shuttle 🚐 to Zehmer Hall. From there, easy guided .4 mile hike in.
- Option 2: Park at Challenge Course (park at the end of gravel road) From there 0.4 mile hike down a gravel path.
Chair Yoga & Social
Monday 4/20/26 | 12:30 - 1:00 PM - Yoga | 1:00 - 1:30 PM - Social time
Darden Court or Thornton A238 if raining
Belated Saint Patrick's Day Social!
Thursday, March 19th | 5:00 - 8:00 PM | Firefly - 1304 E Market Street
Spring Town Hall - March 3, 2026
Tuesday, March 3rd | 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. | Rodman Room (Thornton A-238)
- Updates from the November Town Hall - hear what your Council has done for you and others
- Professional Development Opportunities
- Staff Events and Activities
- Hoos Well reminders
- And more!
Come share your thoughts, insights, and any concerns.
How AI Sees Us
Wednesday, March 4 | 10:00am - 11:30am | RodmanRoom (Thornton A-238)
The SEAS Staff Council Professional Development Committee invites you to join us for our second AI workshop: “How AI Sees Us.” This session will explore how AI tools interpret and represent our online presence across the web.
This will be an informal, conversation‑based workshop where staff are encouraged to share real examples of how AI supports their roles and how these tools are shaping our work environment.
Please note: this is not an AI training session—rather, it’s an opportunity to learn from one another’s experiences and discuss how AI is influencing our professional landscape.
We hope you’ll join us for the conversation!
Trivia Night - February 16th
Faculty and Staff are invited to "Lord of the Rings" Triva Night on Monday, February 16, 2026 starting at 7:00 PM at Three Notch'd Brewery (520 2nd St. SE).
The Engineering School Staff Council Professional Development Committee invites you to join us for an open discussion on
How Engineering staff are using AI in the workplace.
Wednesday, February 4 | 10:00 AM - 11 AM | Wilsdorf 200
This session will be an informal, conversation‑based workshop where staff can share real examples of how AI supports their roles and how these tools are shaping our work environment. Please note that this is not an AI training session—just an opportunity to learn from one another’s experiences.
Note the date change to Tuesday January 13th.
Thursday, November 13, 2025 – 2:00 p.m. – Staff Town Hall in the Thornton Hall Rodman Room (A238) – Hear and converse about
- Updates from the March Town Hall - hear what your Council has done for you and others
- Professional Development Opportunities
- Parking
- Staff Events and Activities
- And more!
Come share your thoughts, insights, and any concerns – See you there!
In addition to a coordinated pot luck to celebrate the fellowship and friendship shared at the School of Engineering (Wed November 19th - Montebello 11:30-1:30), there will be an added Outreach with The Haven to provide Blessing Bags with cold weather and personal hygiene items for the area homeless.
Each participating department will have collection box for the “following must have” items: (Check with your Council member for location)
- 1-2 rolls of Toilet Paper
- Ziploc bag of laundry pods or powder detergent (enough for a few loads)
- Bar of soap
- Deodorant
- Disposable razor
- Full-sized toothbrush and toothpaste
These items will make it a more well-rounded bag of goodies
- Gloves (new or gently used)
- Hats (new or gently used)
- Scarves (new or gently used)
- Socks (new)
- Chapstick
- Menstrual cycle products
In addition, we are providing a tousle cap making opportunity – a No-Sew Fleece cap with complementary scarf. Pick up a prepackaged bag with cut fleece and instructions, see your staff council member for details or email [email protected]. If you want to use your own fleece and favorite pattern that is wonderful. Staff Council is partnering with Hoos Well Crafters for additional hat making adventures by providing patterns and guidance, perhaps you want to pick up a new crafting skill.
The Staff Council has set a goal of 30 packages to be completed in time for the Friendsgiving Celebration- November 19th. You may also find a craft table setup to make a No-Sew Fleece cap. We are confident that we can achieve our goal and even surpass it!
Wednesday, September 17, 2025 - United Way's Day of Caring
This volunteer opportunity benefits local schools, nonprofits, and other organizations throughout our region. Learn more at this webpage, https://unitedwaycville.org/get-involved/day-of-caring/. Staff can use their volunteer hours for this event!
To participate with the Engineering team, contact Tracy Marshall, [email protected].