Inservice Explores Change

More than 200 Eastern Washington University employees gathered for a faculty-staff inservice to learn strategies for navigating the evolving landscape of higher education.

The event, titled “Finding Your Footing Through Change,” focused on understanding personal reactions to workplace transitions, increasing buy-in and adjusting to future shifts.

Jenn Nguyen and Elizabeth Touma from the Washington State Employee Assistance Program led the inservice, guiding faculty and staff through interactive exercises, breakout groups and discussions. Nguyen is a program director, clinical social worker, and clinical supervisor and Touma is a licensed therapist, employee assistance provider, and clinical supervisor.

Nate Bryant, who stepped into the interim role of director of employee belonging, development and leadership three weeks ago, served as emcee. In his new position, Bryant is helping lead EWU’s change management efforts.

During the discussions, Bryant emphasized how thoughtful communication helps employees adapt and succeed. He encouraged leaders to recognize not just final outcomes, but the effort individuals and teams put in along the way.

“I think that support piece is incredibly important,” Bryant told attendees, stressing the need for colleagues to support one another during periods of transition.

Throughout the exchanges between facilitators and staff, several key themes emerged regarding how employees experience change:

• Uncertainty creates anxiety: Busy minds often fill knowledge gaps with predictions, assumptions or worst-case scenarios.
• Transparency matters: Staff prefer clear, direct communication when being notified of imminent or potential changes.
• Processing time is essential: Supervisors should allow teams a moment to digest news before moving forward.
• Perspectives vary: Factors such as career stage, power dynamics, generation, gender and cultural background shape how individuals react to workplace shifts.

The EAP facilitators noted that while reactions vary, common initial responses include relief, sadness, worry, anger, frustration, curiosity or delayed emotional reactions.

Following the event, Bryant credited the Human Resources team for planning the inservice, highlighting Michelle Ferazza, executive assistant for People & Culture, for her leadership on the event. Ferazza, who has worked on planning for nearly six months, shared her thanks for support from the events, communications and IT teams.

Bryant says he views his new role as an opportunity to build a stronger sense of community across the EWU campus.

“That’s what I want this office to be and that’s the service I want to provide,” Bryant says. “I hope everybody comes and sees me.”

Learn more about the free benefits accessible to Eastern employees by visiting the Washington State Employees Assistance Program website.