A BRIGHTER WORKFORCE
A Brighter Workforce is Texas A&M's employee newsletter. With content provided by Human Resources & Organizational Development, it's curated to help inform and make the most of the opportunities afforded to you by Texas A&M.
If you missed an issue or wanted to refer back to something you found helpful, all past newsletters are archived here. Select a date and start reading!
Fall 2026
Aug. 19, 2026 - Howdy!
Howdy! Welcome to A Brighter Workforce app blast on the Texas A&M Mobile App employee persona. Every two weeks, you’ll receive bite-sized information to support your work experience.
Make Living Well Part of Your Routine
Thank you to everyone who joined the Camp Living Well Summer Employee Appreciation Events. Employees who attend Texas A&M-sanctioned wellness events may participate during work time; no paid time off is required. Please work with your supervisor to ensure appropriate coverage for your area.
Learn more about Living Well events and participation.
Organizational Development Helps Improve Performance
Build the skills needed for the future of work through professional growth. HROE Organizational Development offers Professional Enhancement Courses in leadership development, digital skills academy and customer service. For enhancing group dynamics, access tailored team facilitation, strategic consulting and coaching through the HR service portal.
Explore learning and development services.
Grow Your Community With The Leadership Collective
The Leadership Collective is a universitywide community for faculty and staff who want to grow as leaders. Participants build meaningful relationships, explore leadership mindsets and develop skills that support everyday work, regardless of role or title, online or in-person meetups in Bryan-College Station.
View upcoming sessions for The Leadership Collective.
Three Events to Consider
- Successfully Transitioning Through Change: It Starts With You — Tuesday, Aug. 25, 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Building Strong Relationships with Your Adult Children with ComPsych EAP — Thursday, Aug. 27, 9 to 10 a.m.
- Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue — Wednesday, Sept. 9, and Thursday, Sept. 10, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Contact
- Contact Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness
- Contact Technology Services and Help Desk Central
- Contact Transportation Services
Was this update useful? Share your feedback with HROE Communications.
👍 👎 👊
Until next time, Gig ‘em!
Sept. 2, 2026 - The Leadership University
Howdy! At Texas A&M University, we develop leaders of character who take action and create lasting impact – including faculty and staff. Welcome to A Brighter Workforce, your source for bite-sized information to support your work experience.
The Community of Leaders
Did you miss The Leadership Collective Conference? Join an interactive Q&A with the conference’s three speakers from 8:30 to 10 a.m., Sept. 17, at Rudy’s BBQ, 504 Harvey Road in College Station.
Bring your questions, curiosity and leadership experiences as we continue exploring ideas that help leaders become more effective, influential and impactful.
Reserve your spot for The Leadership Collective meetup at Rudy’s BBQ. Seats and breakfast tacos are limited.
Crucial Conversations for Leadership
When results do not meet expectations, a crucial conversation may have been missed or not managed effectively. Learn proven tools to navigate crucial conversations, strengthen relationships and build confidence in addressing high-stakes topics directly and effectively.
Lead meaningful dialogue when it matters most.
Register for Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue through TrainTraq by Sept. 8.
Looking for an alternative leadership course for a remote or branch campus? Explore Organizational Development courses.
Servant Leadership
Selfless service is a cornerstone of the Aggie experience, woven into the daily lives of our faculty, staff and students. While student outreach often captures the spotlight, every member of our university community plays a vital role in this shared commitment.
Through the Aggieland Serves platform, powered by the Division of Community Engagement, university employees now have access to a centralized digital hub designed to:
- Discover new ways to give back
- Promote service events to the wider campus
- Track and quantify personal volunteer impact in a unified record
Engaging with our community, whether through individual efforts or team-building initiatives, creates a powerful ripple effect across Aggieland. This resource simplifies your path to making a difference, regardless of your department or role.
Interested in participating? Visit the Aggieland Serves website to explore current opportunities.
To connect in person, join us for the Volunteer Opportunities Fair on Thursday, Sept. 10, at the Memorial Student Center.
One Big Thing
Three Events to Consider
- Living Well - Restore: Chair Yogalates – Friday, Sept. 4, 12:15 to 1 p.m.
- University Holiday - Labor Day – Monday, Sept. 7, all day
- Faculty, Staff & Student Flu Shot Clinics – Various dates and locations, including remote and branch campuses
Contact
- Contact Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness
- Contact Technology Services and Help Desk Central
- Contact Transportation Services
Was this update useful? Share your feedback with HROE Communications.
👍 👎 👊
Until next time, Gig ‘em!
Sept. 16, 2026 - Take a Breath
Howdy! We’re halfway through September. Take a moment to pause, reflect, choose your way and lead as a force for good. Welcome to A Brighter Workforce, your source for bite-sized information to support your work experience.
Know Where to Turn for Mental Health Support
Your mental health matters, and support is available when you or others need it. Texas A&M University employees have access to a variety of mental health tools and services. Take a moment to become familiar with the available resources, so you know where to turn when it matters.
Start with MentalHealth.tamu.edu. This central hub connects faculty and staff with mental health resources and support available across Texas A&M.
Explore your Employee Assistance Program (EAP). GuidanceResources by ComPsych provides free, confidential counseling sessions; legal and financial support; work-life assistance; crisis support; and online webinars. Schedule a counseling appointment, register for an upcoming webinar or call 866-301-9623. Support is available 24/7 for active employees.
Know how to support others. TrainTraq course #2114841, Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention Training, can help you recognize signs of distress and approach conversations with someone who may be struggling.
Use your health plan resources. The Blue Cross Blue Shield Mental Health Hub connects eligible employees with additional mental health tools and provider support.
Start Strong as a New Supervisor
New supervisors assume responsibilities that affect employee pay, leave, safety, performance and workplace experience. New Supervisor Bootcamp begins today and provides practical, Texas A&M-specific knowledge and resources for employees who are newly hired, promoted or supervising for the first time.
Who is this for? Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness identifies eligible new supervisors, pre-enrolls them in an upcoming monthly session and sends their assigned date through TrainTraq. Participants should complete the one-day program within their first 45 days, or as close to that time as possible.
Questions or scheduling conflicts? Email Organizational Development or call 979-845-4153.
Learn more about New Supervisor Bootcamp.
Talk Amongst Your Team
- Goals: Plan for future success and identify resources needed to achieve performance objectives aligned with Texas A&M's Strategic Plan.
- Personal wellness: Consider benefits such as Wellness Release Time to support your overall well-being.
- Personal aspirations: Explore Educational Release Time to support continued growth and advancement.
One Big Thing
Three Events to Consider
- Battling Burnout – Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2-3 p.m.
- ⚽️ Faculty/Staff Appreciation Game - Soccer – Thursday, Sept. 24, 7 p.m.
- Faculty, Staff and Student Flu Shot Clinics – Various dates and locations, including remote and branch campuses
Contact
- Contact Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness
- Contact Technology Services and Help Desk Central
- Contact Transportation Services
Was this update useful? Share your feedback with HROE Communications.
👍 👎 👊
Until next time, Gig ‘em!
Sept. 30 - 150 Candles
Howdy! Can you sense it? The high temperatures are on the brink of getting out of the 90s and into the 80s. Aggie Park is bustling with tailgating and activity. Finally, it’s almost time to go big for the celebration of a sesquicentennial — all part of this university community. Welcome to A Brighter Workforce, your source for bite-sized information to support your work experience.
🎉 Here for Good: Texas A&M University Celebrating 150 Years
It’s finally here! Time for Texas A&M to blow out the candles and for all of us to celebrate (and innovate). Here is your step-by-step guide to get involved:
- Pick the earliest event you can participate in
- Block your calendar
- Ask your colleagues, friends and family to go with you
- Go!
Choose your 150th Celebration adventure
🌱Grow Your Wellness
The Employee Wellness Fair presented by Living Well returns in October! Mark your calendar, invite a co-worker and join us for an exciting opportunity to invest in your well-being. Whether you attend in person, virtually, or both, there will be something for everyone — and we encourage you to register for both experiences to make the most of this year’s Wellness Fair.
See the full in-person Employee Wellness Fair schedule Oct. 6
Explore the virtual keynote speakers – available to all campuses Oct. 9
📖 Build Your Leadership Community Through Book Club
Whether you’re leading a project, building partnerships or working across teams, influence is an essential leadership skill. Together, as part of The Leadership Collective (TLC) Book Club, we’ll explore practical strategies for building trust, gaining support and leading effectively when collaboration matters more than positional authority.
With a flexible reading schedule, monthly virtual discussions and real-world insights you can apply right away, The TLC Book Club offers a meaningful opportunity to connect, reflect and learn alongside a community of colleagues across Texas A&M.
If you’ve been considering joining, now is the perfect time.
Registration has been extended through Oct. 2
💵 One Big Thing
Three Events to Consider
- 🪑 Restore: Meditation + Breathwork — Friday, Oct. 2
- 🏛️ Sesquicentennial Opening Ceremony — Friday, Oct. 2
- 🏐 Faculty/Staff Appreciation Game - Volleyball — Friday, Oct. 2
✉️ Contact
- Contact Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness
- Contact Technology Services and Help Desk Central
- Contact Transportation Services
Was this update useful? Share your feedback with HROE Communications.
👍 👎 👊
Until next time, Gig ’em!
Oct. 14 – Cultivating a Thriving Workplace
Howdy! The vision for where Texas A&M University is headed has been cast, and now it’s up to the people — the culture — to carry that momentum forward as a force for good. Your work and how you choose to show up matter to those around you! Welcome to A Brighter Workforce, your source for bite-sized information to cultivate a vision-driven and thriving workplace.
Beyond 150: One University for Good
Texas A&M stands poised to define the next era of higher education. Looking toward the next 150 years, our focus must be narrow and our impact expansive. Our vision is simple yet bold: Texas A&M aspires to be the trusted university for people called to serve as a force for good.
Explore where you belong in Texas A&M's Strategic Plan.
Culture Thrives with Leadership and Reflection
Building on The Leadership Collective’s September session, Leading With Intention: Notice, Listen, Choose, Connect, we will explore what comes next. Participants will learn a practical leadership rhythm of Ask, Invite, Encourage and Reflect to strengthen conversations, broaden participation, support colleagues and develop a sustainable reflection practice. Faculty and staff at all levels are members of The Leadership Collective.
RSVP and join the Thursday, Oct. 22 virtual session.
Start Strong as a New Supervisor
New supervisors assume responsibilities that affect employee pay, leave, safety, performance and workplace experience. New Supervisor Bootcamp provides practical, Texas A&M-specific knowledge and resources for employees who are newly hired, promoted or supervising for the first time. The next class is on Wednesday, Oct. 21.
Who is this for? Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness identifies eligible new supervisors, pre-enrolls them in an upcoming monthly session and sends their assigned date through TrainTraq. Participants should complete the one-day program within their first 45 days, or as close to that time as possible.Questions or scheduling conflicts? Email Organizational Development or call 979-845-4153.
One Big Thing
Three Events to Consider
- 💉 Faculty, Staff & Student On-Campus Flu Shot Clinics — Thursday, Oct. 15 - Tuesday, Oct. 27
- 🛝 Return to Play Postpartum Workshop at Brazos Valley Barbell — Saturday, Oct. 24
- 🎉 Here for Good: Celebrating 150 Years of Texas A&M University — J. Wayne Stark Galleries. Hours: closed Monday; 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; noon-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
Contact
- Contact Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness
- Contact Technology Services and Help Desk Central
- Contact Transportation Services
Was this update useful? Share your feedback with HROE Communications.
👍 👎 👊
Until next time, Gig ’em!