Community and Connection

Learn, connect, and support
each other for a stronger Columbia

Columbia University strives to foster a strong community and help support employees in the workplace. To that end, the University hosts regular programming to help staff understand and respect diverse experiences and perspectives; combat discrimination; communicate effectively; and support themselves and each other, even in challenging times.

Below is a list of available resources and upcoming events. If you are sponsoring an upcoming event for, or open to, staff, please complete this form.

Learning Resources

Upcoming Sessions

Join our upcoming sessions designed to strengthen workplace culture and community awareness across Columbia. Be sure to register early to secure your spot!

The Wellness Events calendar also has for a full list of upcoming well-being programs offered by HR Benefits.

Take a Break: Stretch & Reset
Every other Thursday, September 24 - December 3 | 12 - 12:30 p.m. | Webinar
Small breaks can make a difference in how you feel throughout the day. Take a Break offers 30-minute guided sessions designed to help you pause, recharge, and refocus through mindfulness, stretching, and other simple practices that support your well-being. Step away from your routine, release tension, and make time to reset before returning to the rest of your day.

This fall, Take a Break sessions occur every other Thursday, starting on September 10 through December 3, from 12 - 12:30 p.m. To attend a session, click here register for your preferred dates in ELM.

Flu Fair - Morningside (John Jay Dining Hall)
Friday, October 2 | 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. | John Jay Hall, 519 W. 114 St.
Columbia Health is hosting a walk-in flu clinic at John Jay Dining Hall. No appointments needed. ADA Accessible.

Eligible affiliates* must bring their CUID.

Faculty and staff from the Morningside and Manhattanville campuses, Teachers College, Lamont-Doherty Observatory, and Nevis Laboratories are eligible.
Faculty and staff who also work at CUIMC and require documentation of their flu vaccine, please ask a staff member for assistance after you receive your vaccine.
For those over 65 years of age: Columbia Health has a limited supply of the high dose vaccine. Please speak to the nurse administering your vaccine.
Barnard faculty and staff are not eligible for the Columbia Health flu fair and should contact their respective campus health service for flu vaccine opportunities.

Learn more about no-cost flu vaccination, options for getting the flu shot of campus, and other FAQs at health.columbia.edu/flu.

Unidos, Somos Mas: Featuring Dr. Wilson Quezada (2026 Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration)
Thursday, October 8 | 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. | Faculty Club (630 W 168th St), 4th floor
National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed each year from September 15 to October 15 and offers an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the histories, cultures, and many contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities. This year's theme, "Unidos, Somos Más" / "Together, We Are More," reminds us of the strength found in connection, shared identity, and community.

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Department of Medicine invites the CUIMC community to join them for a special event featuring Dr. Wilson Quezada, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine at the Columbia University Medical Center Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine.

CUIMC Mental Health Awareness Event
Tuesday, October 13 | 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. | 50 Haven Ave.
Please join us for the 3rd Annual CUIMC Mental Health Awareness Event on Tuesday, October 13, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at 50 Haven Avenue.

This year's theme, "It Is Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace," reflects our commitment to fostering a CUIMC community grounded in Compassion, Connection, and Support.

Taking time to focus on mental health and well-being strengthens our ability to care for ourselves, support one another, and contribute to a healthy and thriving workplace. Faculty and staff are encouraged to stop by throughout the event to:

Participate in workshops focused on workplace stress, burnout, nutrition, and well-being.
Experience integrative and movement-based activities.
Connect with colleagues and CUIMC partners.
Explore mental health, employee support, and well-being resources.

Managing Menopause and Midlife Health (Maven)
Tuesday, October 13 | 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. | Webinar
Join us for a live event led by a Maven provider to learn essential insights about managing menopause and your health during midlife. Our Maven expert will share details on common symptoms and experiences during perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause and guidance for managing symptoms and overall health.

Learn more about benefits from Columbia University to help you build your family.

On-Demand Sessions

Access a wide range of sessions at your convenience, available anytime. Explore topics that matter to you, with the flexibility to learn and grow on your own schedule.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

LinkedIn Learning

Previously Recorded Sessions

Catch up on expert-led discussions you may have missed or revisit valuable insights that can help you thrive and deepen your understanding of yourself and others in the workplace.

Untold Stories in Health Equity: Lessons from Cancer and Beyond
Monday, February 3 | 3 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. | In person

Untold Stories is a course taught by Prof. Heather Butts at the Columbia Mailman School that introduces students to health leaders of color whose impact is largely absent from history books. This talk will look at the overall lens of health and public health, focusing on issues in the realm of cancer and cancer research, history of medicine, pioneering champions, and unknow healthcare professionals. Individuals such as Dr. Virginia Alexander, Henrietta Lacks, Dr. Alexander Thomas Augusta, Dr. Jane Cook Wright and many others will be explored, and participants will have the chance to workshop others during the session.

Dr. Butts will shed light on pivotal, often-overlooked contributions to health policy, cancer prevention, and treatment in Black communities.

The Campus and the Israel-Hamas War
July 25, 2024 | Podcast

This past spring many college and university campuses were roiled by unprecedented protests sparked by the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Not since Vietnam has any foreign policy issue resulted in such widespread demonstrations on campuses. What explains the intensity of the reaction? Join Aaron David Miller as he sits down with Columbia University Dean Keren Yarhi-Milo and Princeton University Dean Amaney Jamal for a wide-ranging discussion. Offered by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Who are the Jews? Jewish Identity and Antisemitism in the 21st Century
July 25, 2024 | Webinar

During this session, Dr. Laura Shaw-Frank, Director of the American Jewish Committee's William Petschek Contemporary Jewish Life Department, explores the unique nature of Jewish identity and how it is difficult to understand through an American lens. She also provides a brief history of antisemitism through focusing on central antisemitic trope and discusses the particular circumstances of antisemitism in America today, with special attention paid to the post-10/7 reality for American Jews. Offered by CUIMC.

Validation as a Tool for Connection
July 18, 2024 | Webinar

Validation is a response that shows acceptance and respect for another person's feelings, ideas, actions, and experiences. It is an essential communication skill that supports strengthening interpersonal connection and building better relationships with others, even when we disagree or hold differing points of view. During this 60-minute workshop, you will learn (1) why validation matters; (2) how it contributes to effective coping during emotionally charged situations; (3) what validation looks and sounds like in practice through concrete examples and role plays; and (4) to identify opportunities for self-validation and validation in your personal and professional life. Offered by CUIMC.

Managing Trauma When Trauma is Ongoing
July 11, 2024 | Webinar

Healthcare workers are exposed every day to events and situations that can be experienced as outside of the "normal" assumptions of safety and stress. In addition, the pandemic and ongoing national and world events are a source of stress, division, and a trigger for personal and generational trauma for many in our community. This talk addresses how ongoing exposure to these triggers can affect our well-being and ability to function in all the roles of our lives and offer some tools to address this important issue. Offered by CUIMC.

Addressing the Unspoken Issue
June 27, 2024 | Webinar

There are topics that can arise in the workplace that can feel uncomfortable and/or challenging to address. This discomfort often leads to avoidance of these topics. During this 60-minute workshop Dr. Colleen Cullen and Dr. Lou Baptista discuss when to consider addressing unspoken issues and how to do so in a skillful manner. Offered by CUIMC.

Your Well-Being

Your health is a top priority, but staying fit and living well can be challenging. Columbia University offers several well-being programs and services to inspire healthy choices, manage mental health, support your goals, and keep you motivated on your wellness journey.

Well-Being Resources

Physical Fitness

Discover Your Benefits