REACH Program
REACH PROGRAM
Designed for GW faculty and staff, the Raise Up GW REACH program seeks to build student Resilience by promoting Engagement with and Access to Campus Health and wellbeing resources. Faculty and staff have the opportunity to engage in workshops that will provide information about student wellbeing trends, availability of services, and how to make appropriate referrals to those services.
INCENTIVES
We will be offering a variety of different REACH workshops throughout the Spring 2025 semester. Attending these trainings will teach you the skills to confidently and effectively work with students in crisis and refer them to the appropriate support. As part of our thank you for supporting student wellbeing, we are offering an incentive program to participants. We know many GW faculty/staff have attended REACH sessions in the past, so we made an effort to create innovative sessions for this semester. We will still be repeating a few sessions, so if you've attended one of those in the past and you want that to count towards the incentive program, email [email protected].
- Student Wellbeing Champions
If you attend 5 or more REACH sessions this semester, you will receive a "Student Wellbeing Champion" certificate and a catered lunch with other champions.
Spring 2025 REACH SESSIONS
- Real Talk: Navigating Disability Support Through Scenarios and Discussions
This workshop will build upon the knowledge from the first session (Supporting Students with Disabilities in Higher Education) and provide opportunities for application with practical, real-world approaches. This workshop would be centered around common challenges and obstacles students with disabilities face, encouraging faculty and staff to consider how to respond, adapt, and support these students effectively. Presented by the CARE Team and Disability Support Services.
Dates offered:
Monday, February 10: 12-1pm
Tuesday, March 25: 12-1pm
- Intervening with Students of Concern
This workshop will focus on basic helping skills for members of the GW community. We will discuss common situations you have encountered or imagine encountering, processing how to handle these to best support our students while also taking care of ourselves. Presented by Counseling & Psychological Services & the CARE Team.
Dates offered:
Wednesday, February 19: 12-1pm
Wednesday, March 19: 12-1pm
Wednesday, April 16: 12-1pm
- QPR: Suicide Prevention Training
Just like CPR, QPR is an emergency response to someone in crisis and can save lives. QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer — the 3 simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. Each year thousands of Americans, like you, are saying "Yes" to saving the life of a friend, colleague, sibling, or neighbor. Presented by Counseling & Psychological Services & Student Outreach & Support.
Dates offered:
Wednesday, February 12: 12-1pm
Tuesday, February 18: 12-1pm
Thursday, April 17: 12-1pm
- Healing Centered Responses to Harm
This training workshop focuses on fostering compassionate, holistic, and restorative approaches to addressing harm experienced by individuals and within communities. Grounded in trauma-informed and healing-centered frameworks, participants will explore ways to facilitate healing while holding space for accountability. Presented by the Office of Advocacy & Support.
Dates offered:
Tuesday, February 25: 12-1pm
Thursday, March 13: 12-1pm
Thursday, April 3: 12-1pm
- Diving Deep on Support with Title IX
In this session, we will take a closer look at Title IX supportive measures and how the Office can support individuals experiencing sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating and domestic violence and/or stalking, and provide reasonable modifications for students experiencing a pregnancy, childbirth, and other related conditions. We will discuss how all GW staff and faculty play a critical role in this process and why it's important for everyone to understand the who, what, why and how of Title IX support. Presented by the Title IX office.
Dates offered:
- How to Support International Students at GW
This workshop will provide an overview of the International Services Office, our student community and services, as well as insights on how ISO supports international students to maintain their full time enrollment status while enrolling in less than full time credits. We will also discuss international students taking leave of absence from an immigration lens and finally give a short overview on programming and International Student Community Ambassadors. Presented by the International Services Office.
Dates offered:
Monday, April 7: 12-1pm
- What to Know When Teaching, Managing, & Supporting Gen Z
Join the Center for Teaching Excellence to explore how we can effectively meet our Gen Z students and employees where they are and support them through challenges of college. We will discuss why Gen Z college students may respond differently than members of other generations to questions about technology, group participation, and mental health. We will also look at what the science of learning tells us about how 18–22 year olds develop. Throughout, we will share strategies for gathering information on the needs and preferences of the people in your classroom or office setting, reflecting on your own needs and preferences, and bridging any gaps. Presented by Faculty Development, part of Libraries and Academic Innovation.
Dates offered:
Tuesday, February 4: 12-1pm
- What Role Should I Play in GW’s Emergency Response?
When an emergency happens, do you know what to do? Whether it is a localized emergency to your space or a campus-wide incident, the GW community needs to know what actions to take. During this session we will discuss safety resources and go through emergency procedures here at GW to help you be more prepared should you encounter an emergency. Presented by GW Emergency Management.
Dates offered:
Wednesday, February 5: 12-1pm
Wednesday, March 5: 12-1pm
- What Can I Say and Who Can I Say it To? Everything You Need to Know About FERPA & Privacy Policies at GW
This workshop provides an essential guide to understanding student privacy rights under FERPA and GW's broader privacy policies. Learn what information can be shared, with whom, and under what circumstances, ensuring you navigate confidentiality with confidence and compliance. Designed for faculty and staff, this session equips you with the tools to safeguard sensitive information while supporting student wellbeing. Presented by the GW Privacy Office.
Dates offered:
Tuesday, February 11: 12-1pm
- Simple Steps to Becoming More Digitally Accessible
As we become more comfortable using technology, issues of digital accessibility can crop up. We will discuss what digital accessibility means and the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework. We will discuss GW’s policies and share the resources available to help you navigate digital accessibility. Finally, we will share four easy ways to start being more accessible today. Presented by Faculty Development, part of Libraries and Academic Innovation.
Dates offered:
Tuesday, October 1st 11am-12pm
Thursday, October 24th 12-1pm
- Embracing Diversity: Religious Pluralism and Holy Day/Holiday Observances & Accommodations at George Washington University
This session will educate the George Washington University (GWU) community about the importance of religious pluralism, promoting an understanding of the diverse faith traditions represented on campus, and how these can be respected through thoughtful holiday and holy day accommodations. Attendees will learn about the various religious practices and the significance of specific holidays, fostering a culture of inclusion and understanding. The session will also provide practical tools and insights for faculty, staff, and students to support the needs of religiously diverse individuals, especially during key times of the academic year when holy days and holidays intersect with university schedules. Presented by Center for Interfaith and Spiritual Life.
Dates offered:
- How to Support Students in Recovery at GW
Recovery Ally Programs are trainings that are designed to increase a community's recovery capital, decrease stigma and grow intervention skills. This training is very interactive and is meant to provide a great starting point to supporting people struggling with substance use disorders. Presented by Student Outreach & Support.
Dates offered:
Wednesday, February 26: 12-1pm
Thursday, March 20: 12-1pm
- Supporting First Generation Students at GW
This session aims to equip educators and support staff with an understanding of the challenges faced by first generation students. Attendees will learn about common barriers these students encounter, including academic, social, and financial pressures. The workshop will provide strategies for fostering an inclusive environment, promoting engagement, and connecting students with campus resources that support their wellbeing and academic success. Participants will leave with practical tools to confidently support first-generation students and refer them to appropriate services. Presented by Student Outreach & Support.
Dates offered:
Wednesday, March 26: 12-1pm
- Understanding TimelyCare, GW's Telehealth Service for Students
This session will educate faculty and staff members about GW's partnership with TimelyCare, a telehealth platform designed to support student wellbeing. The session will highlight available services, how to get students connected, and the ways this platform can support students during stressful times of the year. Presented by GW's TimelyCare Team.
Dates offered:
Monday, January 27: 1-2pm
Monday, March 17: 1-2pm
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR FACULTY & STAFF
- Instructional Core Workshops
The Instructional Core team, a part of Libraries & Academic Innovation, provides comprehensive, integrated solutions for instructors in search of teaching solutions. If you need feedback on assignment or syllabus design, advice on teaching methods, or ideas for new activities, consider booking a consultation with the Instructional Technology Lab. The ITL offers free workshops throughout the semester for instructors, teaching assistants, and staff supporting instruction.
- The GW Writing Center
The GW Writing Center’s services are not only for students. They offer specialized support and resources for faculty members including class visits and special consultations to help faculty plan written assignments for the semester. Visit the University Writing Program's Faculty Resources page for guidance on designing writing courses, utilizing librarian partnerships and hiring student workers for writing-intensive classes.