myHR Archives

myHR: September 4, 2024

Celebrate Staff with Models of Excellence Nominations

Penn’s annual Models of Excellence Award Program celebrates the outstanding achievements of individual full- and part-time staff members and teams throughout the University’s schools and centers. Now in its 26th year, the program advances the University’s principles and practices by honoring the people who are the foundation of all we do.

Join this long-standing tradition by nominating individual staff members or teams for a 2025 Models of Excellence honor. The 2025 call for nominations is open now through October 25, 2024.

Anyone in the Penn community may nominate individual Penn staff members and teams for an award in three categories: Models of Excellence, Pillars of Excellence, and Model Supervisor. Visit www.hr.upenn.edu/models to learn more about the practices recognized for each category.

In all Models of Excellence categories, award recipients each receive $500 and a symbolic award. Nominees selected for honorable mention receive $250 and a symbolic award. Awards will be announced in the spring term. The next Models of Excellence Award Ceremony will take place in Harrison Auditorium at the Penn Museum on April 7, 2025.

The Models of Excellence Selection Committee rates each submission based on the content of your nominations. That means your submissions are crucial to make sure all worthy staff have the opportunity for recognition.

Nomination Information Sessions

Learn how to submit a nomination that conveys the exceptional work of your colleagues. attending a virtual Writing a Compelling Models of Excellence Nomination session on Thursday, October 3 at 12 p.m. or Wednesday, October 16 at 2 p.m.

Visit the Models of Excellence Program webpage or email models@hr.upenn.edu for more information.

Room for Revisions and Raves

Feedback is one of the most valuable yet sometimes challenging aspects of interpersonal workplace communication. That’s why The Gift of Feedback workshop will return on October 23 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. This free workshop provides staff and faculty with lessons on giving and accepting comments and assessments.

Samantha Sonet, Talent and Organizational Development Consultant, says feedback gives you the opportunity to learn about your “strengths and areas of development.”

“You also learn how your actions impact others. Conversely, when you gift someone feedback, or perhaps more appropriately, advice, you’re putting a mirror in front of them and allowing them to learn about themselves from themselves,” says Sonet, the workshop’s facilitator.

Feedback is not only important in the workplace, but also in community and family situations. Learning to give and receive it will enhance your day-to-day life.

In The Gift of Feedback workshop, Sonet will cover five key topics to boost your feedback practice:

Where we are now. Attendees will be invited to self-reflect on the skills needed to effectively deal with the ongoing change in their lives.
The manager’s role. Participants will learn what helps managers learn to be effective coaches (i.e., establishing expectations, continually coaching, creating accountability, providing regular feedback).
Rationale for coaching. You will learn the advantages of receiving feedback from a coach and how their structured and focused comments can help you improve.
Feedback formula. Learning how to effectively give and receive feedback with a four-part formula.
“Pull vs Push” Practice. Creating an environment that encourages the practice of giving and receiving feedback in order to model the behavior you want to see in others.

“I hope participants come away with an understanding that feedback is not some boogeyman,” Sonet says.

“As long as feedback is provided authentically, in a timely manner, and is behaviorally focused, it truly is a gift. A gift to do better.”

Register today for The Gift of Feedback workshop and learn how to find positive experiences that benefit you, your colleagues, and your organization.

For more professional development programs, visit the Learn & Grow section of the Human Resources website.

Campus Rec Discounts Are Back

Human Resources has teamed up with Penn Campus Recreation to offer powerful recreation membership discounts. This continuing cross-campus partnership underscores the University's commitment to fostering physical, emotional, and financial well-being for the Penn Community. The subsidized discount is available to full-time, benefits-eligible University faculty and staff as well postdoctoral researchers and fellows who are eligible for the Penn Postdoc Benefits Plan. You can save 50% on memberships during the 2024-2025 fiscal year.*

Sign Up Today

New members must sign up for the discounted Penn Campus Recreation membership to take advantage of the savings. You can sign up in person for at the David Pottruck Health and Fitness Center Membership Office, located at 3701 Walnut Street. You can also register by phone at 215-898-6100. Office hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Flex and Stretch

The Human Resources/Campus Recreation membership program gives you two ways to save:

Monthly membership for $27.50/month

If you prefer more flexibility, choose a monthly recurring Faculty/Staff membership with a six-month minimum commitment to save 50% off the regular fee. You’ll save up to $165.

10-Month Membership for $250

Stretch your commitment to well-being and enjoy more savings with a 10-month membership for a one-time payment of $250. This deal, available for purchase exclusively from September 1 to September 30, 2024, saves you $250.

Current monthly and annual full-time, benefits-eligible Campus Rec members can also enjoy the savings. If you’re an eligible monthly member, you will automatically be enrolled at the discounted rate on September 1, 2024. If you had a 10-month membership in 2023-2024, please contact at 215-898-6100 or visit the Membership Office at 3701 Walnut Street for renewal assistance.

Inside Access

Need a convenient place to exercise or unwind before work, after hours, or during a break? Penn Campus Recreation members have access to:

Two state-of-the-art fitness centers: the David Pottruck Health and Fitness Center at 3701 Walnut Street and the Robert A. Fox Fitness Center at 219 South 33rd Street
Cutting-edge facilities and expert staff dedicated to helping members achieve their health goals
A selection of group exercise fitness classes
Intramural Sport programming to build team spirit and connections
Climbing wall access

Take Campus Rec for a Spin

Campus Recreation invites you to experience the power of membership with these special introductory services between now through September 8.

Two-Week Free Trial

All faculty, staff, and postdocs, regardless of benefits eligibility, can sign up for a free, two-week trial membership through the Campus Rec portal and at the Fox and Pottruck Fitness Centers (access to intramural programs and locker purchase not included).

Requesting a Tour

For a guided tour, please visit the front desk at Pottruck and ask for an RA (Rec Assistant) to guide you. You may also request to take a self-guided tour at the front desk of Fox and Pottruck.

Pottruck Open House

Now through September 8, all full-time benefits-eligible faculty, staff, and postdocs can access and utilize the fitness facilities at Pottruck by showing their PennCard at the front desk. This includes fitness centers, weight rooms, Gimbel Gymnasium, locker rooms, and more!

Group Exercise Classes

All classes on the Group Ex schedule are free through September 9 with the two-week trial membership. Registration is required. Register through the Campus Rec portal, the Penn Campus Recreation app, or at one of the sales stations in Pottruck or Fox. Registration for each class opens 48 hours before its start time.

Use Be in the Know Rewards for Membership

If you redeem your Be in the Know Pulse Cash rewards by choosing a VISA gift card, you can use that card for your Penn Campus Recreation membership purchase. Whether you are new to Be in the Know or already participating, sign into Virgin Pulse at https://join.virginpulse.com/penn. Look for the Home tab on the main page, select Rewards from the drop-down menu, then click the Spend tab to convert your rewards to a gift card.

Be in the Know participants can earn up to $300 in Pulse Cash rewards this campaign year. For Be in the Know campaign details, visit www.hr.upenn.edu/beintheknow.

Penn can’t take the work out of your workouts, but new discount memberships make it easier to use our campus’s convenient world-class fitness facilities.

To learn more about fitness membership discounts, check out the Penn Faculty/Staff Pilot Membership Program section of Penn Campus Recreation’s Membership FAQ page. If you have additional questions, please email dria-pennrec@pobox.upenn.edu.

For additional wellness resources, visit the Penn Healthy You web pages.

*Please note that the discount is not available to part-time or temporary employees, Health System affiliate employees, alumni, retirees, spouses, or dependents.

Healthy Meals: Rainbow Stir-Fried Noodles

This healthy take on ramen noodles is chock-full of colorful vegetables like scallions, carrots, and red cabbage. Ditch the extra sodium in processed ramen flavor packets and coat your noodles with a rich, savory sauce. Sprinkle your ramen with red pepper flakes for a kick of spice and serve with lean protein like tofu, chicken or fish.

Click here to send us your healthy recipes and tips.

Ingredients

4 packs of ramen noodles, spice pouch discarded
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons minced ginger (about a 2-inch piece)
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 scallion bunches, thinly sliced (green parts reserved for sauce)
2 carrots, peeled into ribbons
2 cups frozen broccoli florets
1/2 head red cabbage, thinly sliced (about 4 cups)
8 ounces mushrooms, sliced

For the sauce:

1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
3 tablespoons rice vinegar
1/2 bunch cilantro leaves, chopped
Reserved scallion greens
Pinch red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions:

Cook noodles according to package directions until almost cooked through (the noodles will continue to cook once they’re added to the stir fry). Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside.
Add oil to the skillet set to medium-high heat. Stir in ginger, garlic, and white parts of scallions and stir fry for about 1 minute or until aromatic.
Add in prepared vegetables and cook, stirring frequently, for about 4 to 6 minutes.
In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, oil, vinegar, cilantro, green parts of scallions, and red pepper flakes. Whisk well to combine.
Stir cooked noodles into the vegetable mixture and evenly pour sauce over the pan. Stir well to combine and coat noodles.
Serve hot and enjoy! Garnish with additional cilantro or scallion greens, if desired.

Meet With a Registered Dietitian Today!

One-on-One, virtual sessions you can schedule at any time that works for you
100% covered under many insurance plans
Available to spouses and dependents
Fill out the Ramp Health Nutrition Counseling Sign Up Form or call 800-484-7720.

Did You Know: Two Ways to Save on Penn Live Arts Tickets

Penn staff and faculty receive a 10% discount (up to four tickets) for Penn Live Arts performances at the Annenberg Center. Save even more by subscribing to the 24/25 season. Faculty and staff subscribers save $2 per ticket on top of the 15% to 35% subscriber discount. To enjoy boundary-breaking live performances and savings, enter “PENN” as the promo code when ordering online. For upcoming show details, visit pennlivearts.org.