Empower is a cross-departmental initiative designed to bring a thoughtful professional development and computer training program to the staff and managerial faculty members of the University of Hartford community.
The University of Hartford constantly strives to improve the efficiency of training opportunities available to our new and existing staff and collegiate chairs responsible for the oversight of staff. With this initiative, we aim to provide a single point of contact for all professional development training opportunities available to University employees, safeguard the standardization of class content, and ensure regularly scheduled Banner and other computer system training.
E-mail us for more information, to sign up for a class, or to suggest future classes. We would love to hear from you about what you would like to learn.
Upcoming Sessions
Legally-mandated Sexual Harassment Training
Changes to The State of Connecticut law on Sexual Harassment training has mandated that the University to provide all existing employees with sexual harassment training.
Here’s how to get started:
- Go to the online training.
- Provide your full name and University of Hartford email address, and click “register”.
- You will receive an email from CHRO enclosing the online training. Click “view training”.
- Click the “Materials” tab.
- Watch the videos, titled “Section 1” thru “Section 6”, complete all requires quizzes.
- Within 24 -72 hours you will receive a Certificate of Completion.
- In order to receive credit for the online training, you must forward the Certificate of Completion to EmPOWER at empower@hartford.edu.
Upcoming Training Opportunities
Space is limited, and seating is first come/first served.
|
Class Name |
Time and Place |
Description |
|
Basics of Argos
|
SEPTEMBER 30 CC114 |
Argos is the tool used to extract data and information out of Banner. The Argos Web Viewer is the new easy to use interface that allows you to run Argos dashboards and reports directly in a web browser from anywhere on campus. This class will cover some of the basics of using that web viewer including working with Dashboards, saving extracts, and the basic vocabulary of working with these queries. The size of the class is capped at 12 participants to ensure individual attention. |
|
Blackboard Organizations for Staff |
OCTOBER 1 11AM – 12PM WOODS CLASSROOM |
Blackboard Organizations at UH are designed for communicating with students outside of traditional courses—ideal for sharing information with majors, supporting student clubs, managing campus programs, or building community sites for staff and students. This workshop introduces staff to the basics of using Organizations in the Ultra interface, including how to structure content, post announcements, manage membership, and share resources. Whether you're coordinating advising, supporting co-curricular initiatives, or creating a central hub for student engagement, this session will help you make the most of Blackboard Organizations. Please join us for an information session. |
|
Getting Started with Kaltura |
OCTOBER 14 2PM – 3PM |
Video and audio files should never be added directly to Blackboard; instead, instructors should be using Kaltura (the new replacement for Ensemble). Kaltura works like an in-house YouTube, allowing faculty to upload videos to a media library quickly and easily, then link to them from Blackboard and other websites. |
|
Microsoft TEAMS |
OCTOBER 16 6:30PM – 8:30PM (Virtual) |
Teams is a platform that can be employed for remote instruction, office hours, or collaborative group work in your courses. In this session, we will show you how to set up a Teams Meeting in your Blackboard course, how to navigate the Teams interface, how to share files or documents with students, and how to share screens. |
|
Understanding University Data Storage Options |
OCTOBER 20 12:30pM – 1:30PM (Virtual) |
Learn about the different ways you can store and share your files at the university. We'll explain the uses and benefits of OneDrive, SharePoint, Teams, Network Drives, and Local Drives in simple terms. Discover the best practices for each option to keep your data organized, secure, and easy to access. |
|
Campus Event Planning using the UHartHub & 25Live |
OCTOBER 21 |
Are you responsible for organizing meetings, programs, or special events at UHart? Join Javi for an interactive, hands-on workshop designed specifically for faculty and staff event planners. In this session, you will: Learn the distinct purposes of 25Live and UHartHub and when to use each platform; Follow a step-by-step walkthrough of submitting event requests in both systems; Discover best practices for ensuring smooth event planning and coordination; Understand what happens after you submit a request and how to prepare for next steps. Whether you coordinate one occasional program or a series of ongoing activities, you’ll leave with practical skills and clear guidance to make your events run smoothly from start to finish. |
|
Getting Started with Kaltura |
OCTOBER 21 6:3PM – 7:30PM |
Video and audio files should never be added directly to Blackboard; instead, instructors should be using Kaltura (the new replacement for Ensemble). Kaltura works like an in-house YouTube, allowing faculty to upload videos to a media library quickly and easily, then link to them from Blackboard and other websites. |
|
Microsoft TEAMS |
OCTOBER 22 11AM – 12PM (Virtual) |
Teams is a platform that can be employed for remote instruction, office hours, or collaborative group work in your courses. In this session, we will show you how to set up a Teams Meeting in your Blackboard course, how to navigate the Teams interface, how to share files or documents with students, and how to share screens. |
|
Blackboard Organizations for Staff |
OCTOBER 29 12:30PM – 1:30PM (Virtual) |
Blackboard Organizations at UH are designed for communicating with students outside of traditional courses—ideal for sharing information with majors, supporting student clubs, managing campus programs, or building community sites for staff and students. This workshop introduces staff to the basics of using Organizations in the Ultra interface, including how to structure content, post announcements, manage membership, and share resources. Whether you're coordinating advising, supporting co-curricular initiatives, or creating a central hub for student engagement, this session will help you make the most of Blackboard Organizations. Please join us for an information session. |
|
Understanding University Data Storage Options |
NOVEMBER 11 10AM – 11AM WOODS CLASSROOM |
Learn about the different ways you can store and share your files at the university. We'll explain the uses and benefits of OneDrive, SharePoint, Teams, Network Drives, and Local Drives in simple terms. Discover the best practices for each option to keep your data organized, secure, and easy to access. |
|
Banner for Beginners
|
NOVEMBER 12 CC114 |
This class is designed specifically for people who are brand new to using Banner Administrative pages. To participate, you must already have an active account in Banner. We will cover basic navigation, data ownership, and keyboard shortcuts. The size of the class is capped at 12 participants to ensure individual attention. |
|
What do All of these Microsoft Apps do Anyway? |
NOVEMBER 17 12:3PM – 1:30 PM (Virtual) |
Dive into the expansive suite of Microsoft applications in this informative workshop. Learn the key functions and practical uses of popular tools like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, OneNote, and more. Whether you're a beginner or looking to enhance your productivity, this session will demystify each app's purpose and show you how they can streamline your work and personal tasks. Join us to unlock the full potential of Microsoft's powerful software ecosystem! |
|
Campus Event Planning using the UHartHub & 25Live |
NOVEMBER 18 |
Are you responsible for organizing meetings, programs, or special events at UHart? Join Javi for an interactive, hands-on workshop designed specifically for faculty and staff event planners. In this session, you will: Learn the distinct purposes of 25Live and UHartHub and when to use each platform; Follow a step-by-step walkthrough of submitting event requests in both systems; Discover best practices for ensuring smooth event planning and coordination; Understand what happens after you submit a request and how to prepare for next steps. Whether you coordinate one occasional program or a series of ongoing activities, you’ll leave with practical skills and clear guidance to make your events run smoothly from start to finish. |
|
Blackboard Organizations for Staff |
DECEMBER 1 2PM – 3PM WOODS CLASSROOM |
Blackboard Organizations at UH are designed for communicating with students outside of traditional courses—ideal for sharing information with majors, supporting student clubs, managing campus programs, or building community sites for staff and students. This workshop introduces staff to the basics of using Organizations in the Ultra interface, including how to structure content, post announcements, manage membership, and share resources. Whether you're coordinating advising, supporting co-curricular initiatives, or creating a central hub for student engagement, this session will help you make the most of Blackboard Organizations. Please join us for an information session. |
|
AI Magic: The Ultimate Toolkit for Spellbinding Course Design w/Blackboard & Google NotebookLM |
DECEMBER 10 12:30PM – 2PM WOODS CLASSROOM |
Wave your wand and let AI work its magic! This spellbinding session unveils Blackboard’s AI Design Assistant for effortless quizzes, assignments, rubrics, and visuals, plus the AI Roleplay tool for immersive, interactive learning. But that’s not all—discover how Google NotebookLM can act as your AI research assistant, organizing course materials, summarizing key concepts, and streamlining your workflow. Save time, spark creativity, and enchant your students with AI-powered tools that make course design feel like wizardry. Join us and add a little magic to your teaching! |
|
Basics of Argos
|
DECEMBER 10 CC114 |
Argos is the tool used to extract data and information out of Banner. The Argos Web Viewer is the new easy to use interface that allows you to run Argos dashboards and reports directly in a web browser from anywhere on campus. This class will cover some of the basics of using that web viewer including working with Dashboards, saving extracts, and the basic vocabulary of working with these queries. The size of the class is capped at 12 participants to ensure individual attention. |
|
Getting Started with Blackboard Ultra |
DECEMBER 10 6:30PM – 8:30PM |
New to Blackboard Ultra or looking for a refresher? This hands-on workshop is designed to help faculty get comfortable navigating and using the Ultra Course View. Participants will explore the intuitive interface, learn how to create and organize course content, set up assignments and discussions, communicate with students, and manage grades. Whether you’re transitioning from Original Course View or starting fresh, this session will give you the confidence to build a streamlined, student-friendly course in Blackboard Ultra. |
|
Getting Started with Blackboard Ultra |
DECEMBER 15 |
New to Blackboard Ultra or looking for a refresher? This hands-on workshop is designed to help faculty get comfortable navigating and using the Ultra Course View. Participants will explore the intuitive interface, learn how to create and organize course content, set up assignments and discussions, communicate with students, and manage grades. Whether you’re transitioning from Original Course View or starting fresh, this session will give you the confidence to build a streamlined, student-friendly course in Blackboard Ultra. |
|
Campus Event Planning using the UHartHub & 25Live |
DECEMBER 16 |
Are you responsible for organizing meetings, programs, or special events at UHart? Join Javi for an interactive, hands-on workshop designed specifically for faculty and staff event planners. In this session, you will: Learn the distinct purposes of 25Live and UHartHub and when to use each platform; Follow a step-by-step walkthrough of submitting event requests in both systems; Discover best practices for ensuring smooth event planning and coordination; Understand what happens after you submit a request and how to prepare for next steps. Whether you coordinate one occasional program or a series of ongoing activities, you’ll leave with practical skills and clear guidance to make your events run smoothly from start to finish. |
|
Getting Started with Blackboard Ultra |
DECEMBER 16 1PM – 3PM |
New to Blackboard Ultra or looking for a refresher? This hands-on workshop is designed to help faculty get comfortable navigating and using the Ultra Course View. Participants will explore the intuitive interface, learn how to create and organize course content, set up assignments and discussions, communicate with students, and manage grades. Whether you’re transitioning from Original Course View or starting fresh, this session will give you the confidence to build a streamlined, student-friendly course in Blackboard Ultra. |
|
Getting Started with Blackboard Ultra |
DECEMBER 19 |
New to Blackboard Ultra or looking for a refresher? This hands-on workshop is designed to help faculty get comfortable navigating and using the Ultra Course View. Participants will explore the intuitive interface, learn how to create and organize course content, set up assignments and discussions, communicate with students, and manage grades. Whether you’re transitioning from Original Course View or starting fresh, this session will give you the confidence to build a streamlined, student-friendly course in Blackboard Ultra. |
|
Campus Event Planning using the UHartHub & 25Live |
JANUARY 20 |
Are you responsible for organizing meetings, programs, or special events at UHart? Join Javi for an interactive, hands-on workshop designed specifically for faculty and staff event planners. In this session, you will: Learn the distinct purposes of 25Live and UHartHub and when to use each platform; Follow a step-by-step walkthrough of submitting event requests in both systems; Discover best practices for ensuring smooth event planning and coordination; Understand what happens after you submit a request and how to prepare for next steps. Whether you coordinate one occasional program or a series of ongoing activities, you’ll leave with practical skills and clear guidance to make your events run smoothly from start to finish. |
|
Campus Event Planning using the UHartHub & 25Live |
FEBRUARY 17 |
Are you responsible for organizing meetings, programs, or special events at UHart? Join Javi for an interactive, hands-on workshop designed specifically for faculty and staff event planners. In this session, you will: Learn the distinct purposes of 25Live and UHartHub and when to use each platform; Follow a step-by-step walkthrough of submitting event requests in both systems; Discover best practices for ensuring smooth event planning and coordination; Understand what happens after you submit a request and how to prepare for next steps. Whether you coordinate one occasional program or a series of ongoing activities, you’ll leave with practical skills and clear guidance to make your events run smoothly from start to finish. |
|
Campus Event Planning using the UHartHub & 25Live |
MARCH 24 |
Are you responsible for organizing meetings, programs, or special events at UHart? Join Javi for an interactive, hands-on workshop designed specifically for faculty and staff event planners. In this session, you will: Learn the distinct purposes of 25Live and UHartHub and when to use each platform; Follow a step-by-step walkthrough of submitting event requests in both systems; Discover best practices for ensuring smooth event planning and coordination; Understand what happens after you submit a request and how to prepare for next steps. Whether you coordinate one occasional program or a series of ongoing activities, you’ll leave with practical skills and clear guidance to make your events run smoothly from start to finish. |