Above: Guest speaker Dr. Kimberly Dickman, an assistant professor at the United States Air Force Academy Center for Character and Leadership Development.
Thursday marked the official start of the Spring 2025 long semester at Texas A&M University–Central Texas. Faculty and staff gathered for convocation in the Bill Yowell Conference Center on campus to celebrate excellence, learn about connections, and hear from students.
Richard M. Rhodes, Ph.D., president of A&M–Central Texas, officially welcomed those in attendance and started things off with a celebration as staff excellence awards were announced, recognizing staff members who have gone above and beyond through the course of their daily duties.
Dr. Rhodes then introduced guest speaker Dr. Kimberly Dickman, an assistant professor at the United States Air Force Academy Center for Character and Leadership Development. Dr. Rhodes met Dr. Dickman when she presented at a conference he attended in Washington D.C. When Dr. Rhodes approached her to ask about speaking on campus, he was unaware that she is a legacy alumna, graduating from the University of Central Texas with a master’s degree in 1988. UCT later transitioned to Tarleton State University Central Texas before becoming A&M–Central Texas.
Dr. Dickman spoke to the group about the importance of building relationships and making connections. She pointed out that positive relationships give people a sense of purpose, support, inspiration, happiness, joy, love, and appreciation — all being built on the virtue of love.
“How do we love others in order to make a difference in their lives and in ours?” she asked.
Dickman explained the biology behind connections and how relationships affect us both personally and professionally. She pointed to the stark rise in depression and loneliness that occurred in 2012 and its correlation to social media taking hold of personal devices. The research shows that loneliness and depression are continuing to rise. She also showed that poor social relationships are more likely to be a contributing factor to early death than are smoking, drinking, and obesity.
Then the question became, how do we make those “high quality connections” that build strong relationships.
“Quality connections are positive, energized, and mutual,” she said, explaining that there are four basic ways to build these connections: Be positive, be genuine, be affirmative, and practice effective listening.
She said being present means being totally present. Don’t try to multitask. She challenged the group to spell out the phrase “multitasking is inefficient” then count to 25. She timed the group with most coming in at less than 20 seconds. The she challenged them to spell the phrase and count by alternating between letters and numbers. The resulting time was drastically higher.
“We are not meant to multitask,” she said. “Our brains are made to monotask.”
She also said being present can come in the form of short, responsive interactions like using simple morning greetings as a way to build connections. Dickman explained being genuine as being vulnerable. Having connection with individuals that you trust enough to really talk to and share details about your life.
Being affirmative means to truly encourage and congratulate others when they do something special or accomplish a goal — recognizing their accopmlishments and celebrating with them.
“When there’s something to celebrate, celebrate the heck out of it,” she said.
The fourth way to connect is by being and effective listener. She demonstrated this by having the group count backward from 100 by 7s while she told a story, then they had to recant the main points of her story. Then she continued the story with individuals actively listening. The response in feelings generated by the story was significantly different.
Dickman encourage people to take the time to connect with co-worker and students this year, building lasting relationships.
“It’s good for your health, your organization, and your concentration to have connections,” she said.
In other activities at convocation, Rhodes introduced Dr. Clifton T. Jones as the new Provost and Vice President for Student Affairs, and thanked Dr. Kellie Cude for her contributions during the time she spent as the interim provost.
The group also held a question-and-answer period with a panel of students who talked about what they love about the university, why they chose the university, and what can be done to make the university even better.
The university offices are closed on Monday, Jan. 20, in recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Classes begin on Tuesday, Jan. 21.
Staff Enrichment Award Winners
- Amanda Chewning
- Amelia Smith
- Cheryl Scott
- Christina Acevedo
- Dawndrea Casey
- Gregory Bourgeois
- Hannah McDonald
- Irene Montalvo
- Keisha Holman
- Kimberly Kuklies
- Stephanie Lopez
- Yoon Jae Jeon