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About Us |
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The mission of the Workplace Learning and Development unit is to promote and support employee and organizational growth, development, and empowerment by providing innovative, high-quality workplace programs, resources, and services.
We strive to improve the quality of work life by enhancing individual and organizational effectiveness, performance, and transformation. We foster, educate for, and celebrate community, diversity, and social justice and work to develop effective collaborative partnerships both on and off campus. |
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Meet the Staff of Workplace Learning and Development |
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The staff in Workplace Learning and Development has a combined total of over 100 years of training and organizational services in higher education and over 40 years at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. We provide a unique and specialized understanding of the challenges and struggles of working in a large public research university. We are familiar with the internal systems, structures, resources, policies and procedures of the institution which allows us to work effectively with all client organizations. As members of the UMass community, we also bring a commitment to the success and achievements of the school. |
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Linda S. Marchesani, Ed.D. Manager |
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Linda has an extensive background in higher education, with over 25 years of experience in staff and organizational development, human relations and social justice education. She has led Workplace Learning and Development since 1994.
Her professional commitments include: multicultural organizational development; management and supervisory leadership development: performance management and the recruitment and retention of a diverse workforce. She has consulted and written widely on issues of diversity and social justice related to faculty development, curriculum innovation and multicultural organizational development. Linda and Dr. Bailey Jackson recently published a chapter on Transforming Higher Education Institutions Using Multicultural Organizational Development: A Case Study of a Large Northeastern University (in Teaching Inclusively: Ouellett, 2005).
Linda has an Ed.D in Education from the School of Education at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and is an adjunct faculty member of the Social Justice Education Program.
Her community contributions include: the Board of Directors, Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts, a social change philanthropic organization dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls in western Massachusetts.
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Margaret Arsenault, Employee & Organizational Development Specialist |
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Margaret has extensive experience in the design and facilitation of workshops and seminars for public sector employees and organizations, with particular emphasis on: supervisory leadership development, diversity issues, teambuilding, organizational skills, and customer service. She has a strong organizational development background in strategic planning, facilitated retreats, organizational problem-solving, and developmental coaching of supervisors and managers. In 1985, Margaret began her career at UMass in Student Affairs as an advisor, eventually heading the University’s Student Leadership Program. Margaret joined Workplace Learning and Development in 1998.
Margaret has been a lecturer in the School of Education, and is currently an instructor in the Dean’s Book course, Commonwealth College.
Margaret has a M.Ed. in Organizational Development. She is certified in mediation and quality tools training.
Margaret’s community work includes participation in volunteer efforts to rebuild New Orleans, following Hurricane Katrina.
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Dena Cooper, Office Manager |
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Dena Cooper is the Office Manager for Workplace Learning & Development. She has been with WL&D for 4 years. Dena is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst and is currently working on her Masters of Education in the School Counseling program at UMass Amherst.
Dena enjoys working with the students and youth in her church, where she is a member of the Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, Hartford CT. Dena’s future plans are to work in a middle or high school as a school counselor. |
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Richard Ford, Employee and Organizational Development Specialist |
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Richard has years of experience and expertise in organizational development services, customized training development, and in Supervisory Leadership Development programs. He has provided clients with coaching, strategic planning, mediation, and meeting management. Richard has taught a wide range of topics - from Conflict Resolution to Customer Service to Team Building. He is an accomplished public speaker and a popular and effective trainer on issues of personal wellness.
Richard joined WLD in 1995, providing services to colleges, universities, and non-profits.
Richard has a M.A in Guidance Counseling. He is certified in Continuous Quality Improvement and Multicultural Mediation. Richard is also certified as a Personal Fitness Trainer and a Lifestyle & Weight Management Consultant (American Council on Exercise).
Richard’s community work in New Haven, CT includes: President, Heritage Chorale; Social Ministry Coordinator, Bethesda Lutheran Church; Black Nativity, Longwharf Theatre; and Yale Camerata Choir, Yale University.
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Annie Mara, Employee & Organizational Development Specialist |
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Annie’s 25 years of professional experience in higher education reflect her commitment to organizational development, multiculturalism, and social justice education.
Since 1995, Annie has focused on both organizational development and curricula design for WL&D. Annie has provided comprehensive consulting services in individual and organizational development, encompassing organizational assessment, strategic planning, and team development work. She has designed accessible, practical training programs including: Human Side of Change, Creating Respectful Workplaces, and Dealing With Difficult Situations and Conflict at Work.
Annie has a M.Ed. in College and University Administration. She is pursuing her doctorate in Social Justice Education. Annie is a National Coalition Building Institute Certified Trainer and is Qualified to administer the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator.
Annie’s community outreach includes her service as Chair of the Education and Prevention Work Team, a subcommittee of the UMass Workplace Violence Management Team.
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Sandra Anderson |
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Sandra is the Director of Campus Services and the Program Administrator for the University's Corporate Travel Card Program. She is responsible for contract administration between the University (all campuses) and the corporate card vendor bank. Sandy holds a Masters degree in Education and has been an administrator in higher education for thirty years. |
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Liz Brinkerhoff |
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Liz is the Coordinator for Admissions and Student Administrative Services at UWW and co-teaches the introductory UWW courses. She completed her BA through UWW in 1981, and then earned an M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration an Ed.D. in Educational Policy, Research and Administration. Her interests are in adult student success and international higher education and training programs. She teaches graduate level courses in adult development and learning for Framingham State College. |
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Larry Davis |
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Larry is the registered Sanitarian with Environmental Health and Safety at the University. He is involved with food, housing, swimming pools and lead paint inspections. He has been in Public Health for more than 18 years and on the advisory committee for Massachusetts Public Health Swimming pool regulations. He has served as a sanitarian for the Amherst, Massachusetts Board of Health. |
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Michael Formosi |
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Michael holds an Associates Degree in Horticulture and a Bachelors Degree in Education. Before becoming Director of the Durfee Conservatory, Michael worked at the French Hall Research greenhouses in the Department of Plant, Soil, and Insect Sciences.
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Elizabeth Holtzman |
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Elizabeth is the Director with the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program. She holds a Master's degree in Social Work with extensive experience in a variety of mental health settings, including three years in the FSAP at the corporate headquarters of Aetna, Inc. where she conducted workshops on conflict and anger management, stress management, as well as other communication and management skills. |
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Robert Laford |
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Bob is Safety Services Manager with Environmental Health and Safety. He is involved with campus safety initiatives, occupational injury management, employee safety training, and emergency planning and response for the University. He is a member of the campus hazardous materials response team.
Bob is currently Deputy Fire Chief with the Petersham Fire Department and has served as an instructor with the Massachusetts Firefighting.
Bob is author of the text Planning and Practice – A Guide for Emergency Planning and Operations, as well as author of a number of articles in Responder Magazine, Fire Chief Magazine, The Voice, Fire Station Management Advisor, and Occupational Health and Safety Magazine. |
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Nicholas Marshall |
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Nick is the Employee Labor Relations Administrator for the university. For the past 10 years he was an arbitrator/mediator at the Western Massachusetts Board of Conciliation and Arbitration. He has practiced law in Westfield, Massachusetts, specializing in the areas of labor, employment, and municipal law. |
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Steve Miner |
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Waiting on Language |
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Julie Nelson |
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Julie is the Personnel Coordinator for Housing Services where she is involved with personnel issues, and the training and teaching of yoga in the Labor/Management Wellness Program for housing staff. She holds a M.B.A. and is part of the quality training team on campus. She has been a student and teacher of yoga for many years in traditions of Kripalu, Iyengar, and Sivanda. Julie is certified as a Kripalu yoga instructor and a Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapist. |
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David Peckinpaugh |
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David is a faculty member in the Kinesiology Department and worked for several years as the Housing and Residence Life Wellness Program Coordinator. He specializes in topics related to Health, Fitness, and Wellness and has been active in promoting these issues on campus. He has worked closely with Workplace Learning and Development staff in creating “Get Moving UMass Amherst” which is an annual event to support employee's health and wellness at the university.
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Kelly Pleasant |
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Kelly is a Total Compensation Assistant in the university's Division of Human Resources. She has been directly involved with benefits administration since 1996. |
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Alison Ozer |
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Alison has been a professional dancer and licensed Massage and Shiatsu therapist. She has taught at major corporations and colleges around New York City and in Massachusetts, and at the New England American Massage Therapy Conferences. As a member of the Development Office she is well aware of the typical tensions that accumulate from work stress and has creative approaches to address them.
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Cathy Shaw |
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Cathy is the Account Coordinator for the University’s Corporate Travel Card program. She processes new card applications and provides orientation to new cardholders. She handles customer service related to delinquent accounts, purchases that have been declined, credit balances, and any problems travelers or Certified Travel Preparers encounter with corporate travel cards. |
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Donna Walters |
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Donna is the Business Manager for Campus Services and manages the relationship between the University and U.S. Bank for the Corporate Travel Card program. She manages the non-employee travel payment system and is responsible for corporate card delinquency management. Prior to coming to UMass, Donna worked in human resources and banking. Donna holds a Bachelors degree in Business Administration and is a certified Train-the-Trainer for the DiSC® Dimensions of Behavior Personal Profile System. |
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