Staff Council welcomes April Dukes, PhD; Faculty and Future Faculty Program Director for the Engineering Educational Research Center (EERC) and the Institutional Co-leader for Pitt-CIRTL (Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning).Dr. April Dukes is the Faculty and Future Faculty Program Director for the Engineering Educational Research Center (EERC) and the Institutional Co-leader for Pitt-CIRTL at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Dukes' current research and professional development efforts focus on two critical areas shaping the future of higher education. She serves as Senior Staff on a major National Science Foundation (NSF) project to create and validate a Personalized Learning Model (PLM) for STEM graduate education. This work is dedicated to increasing inclusivity by replacing "one-size-fits-all" training with flexible, student-centered pathways tailored to individual backgrounds and career goals. Additionally, she leads research into effective strategies for implementing the ethical and responsible use of generative AI in teaching, learning, and faculty professional development.

This Spotlight presentation will focus on Engineering Your Mindset: Strategies to Challenge Perfectionism & Imposter Syndrome

In the fast-paced environment of higher education, staff are often expected to be the "fixers"—managing high-stakes deadlines, supporting student success, and navigating complex administrative systems. This culture of high standards can lead to two common professional hurdles: perfectionism and imposter syndrome (also known as imposter phenomenon). 

When left unaddressed, the pressure to be perfect can lead to burnout, decision fatigue, and a fear of taking initiative. 

Join us for a one-hour interactive workshop designed specifically for higher education professionals. We will move beyond theory to offer a practical toolkit for building sustainable confidence and resilience in your role. 

Workshop Objectives: 

• Identify the triggers of perfectionism in an academic setting. 

• Apply strategies to silence "imposter" internal dialogue. 

• Learn to foster a culture of progress over perfection within your team.