Procurement Services Presents: Small Business Expo!

Procurement Services is pleased to present their Small Business Expo this June 11 at Newcomb Hall.  The event will run from 12 pm to 2pm.

At the Small Business Expo, you'll have the opportunity to discover new businesses, connect in person with your favorite local small businesses and companies, and learn more about everything they have to offer. We hope to see you there!

RSVP Here: University of Virginia's Small Business Expo Registration, Wed, Jun 11, 2025 at 12:00 PM | Eventbrite (Click on "Reserve a Spot" and choose General Admission)

The Small Business Expo will host a variety of small, local businesses, including:

• Afton Coach LLC

  

  Save the date!

• Otto Eats & Catering 
• Southern Refrigeration
• The Supply Room
• Afton Design Co. 
• Hoowithaview
• TK Promotions Inc. 
• Tech Dynamism
• Viva La Nosh
• RE Replacement Parts 
• Nite4Nite Productions 
• D's Pretty Events 
• Storyware
• Shenandoah Joe Coffee Roasters

Special Thanks to our Rotunda Sponsor, RE Replacement Parts!

Click the image to enlarge 

Submitting Vendors for Security Review

When do your vendors need to be reviewed?

Contributed by the Infosec Compliance Team

Wondering when a vendor needs to be reviewed? The ITS Information Security Compliance Team has you covered.

Ask yourself these questions to determine the correct steps to take in the submission process!

How does the vendor handle UVA's data?

If they:

Process, store, AND/OR transmit data in the cloud

AND

The data is highly sensitive data (HSD) OR it’s a mission-critical service

Then they need to be submitted for a security review!

Why Vendor Security Reviews?

Vendor security reviews are part of third-party risk management, helping reduce the risk of inadvertent or unauthorized exposure of UVA's most sensitive data. These are not a new requirement--security reviews were previously in OneTrust and are now in Isora.

What is data sensitivity?

Highly Sensitive Data (HSD) refers to information that is valuable and requires a higher level of protection. Examples of HSD include SSN, driver's license, passport number, protected health information (PHI), personal banking, debit, or credit account information. 

How critical is the service provided by the vendor?

A University mission-critical system is any factor (e.g., component, equipment, personnel, process, procedure, software, server) that is essential to a business operation or a unit. When a mission-critical system fails or is interrupted, business operations are significantly impacted. It is indispensable to continuing operations. These vendors need to be reviewed, no matter the data sensitivity type.

If it's a cloud vendor handling HSD or providing mission-critical service, you need to have your vendor reviewed.

Once you have determined a review is required, remember: 

Required documentation:

• SOC 2 Type II Report: A detailed audit report verifying a vendor's controls for security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. Must be dated within six months of the request or include a bridge letter to cover gaps. (A bridge letter is a document confirming that no significant changes have occurred in a vendor's control environment since the most recent SOC 2 report).

-AND-

• HECVAT (Higher Education Community Vendor Assessment Toolkit): A standardized questionnaire used to assess a vendor's security and compliance posture. A completed HECVAT can be uploaded directly to Isora, or the HECVAT question set can be answered manually in Isora. 

Frequency of reviews:

• Annually 

-OR WHEN-

• New Business Case: For sharing data, business purposes, or contracts, ensure review before procurement or implementation.

For more information on Information Security's Vendor Security Review process, click here.  For more information on University Data Protection Standards, click here. 

UVAFinance in Action: April 25, 2025

Congrats Danae!

Danae Polemi's New Role as Manager of Travel & Expense Team

On April 8, Danae Polemi started as the new Manager of the Travel and Expense Team. Polemi was serving in this role to an interim capacity, so we're thrilled to welcome her in this position permanently. Since joining UVA in 2020, Polemi has been an integral part of supporting UVA travelers and strengthening T&E operations. Her broad experience in both higher education and the travel industry, along with her thoughtful, problem-solving, dedicated, and collaborative spirit, have made her a valued colleague and trusted leader. UVAFinance has long appreciated the expertise and care she brings to her work and we are excited to see her continue her leadership in this position. 

Congrats Andrew!

Andrew Sallans - Executive Certificate in Digital Business

Recently, Andrew Sallans of Business Services and Systems completed his Executive Certificate in Digital Business from MIT with a concentration in Artificial Intelligence. The course track for this certificate helps deepen and broaden participants' digital skills, language, and confidence so that they can help their companies find a competitive edge. Congratulations Andrew on all your hard work paying off towards this achievement!

From right to left: Mark Cartwright,
Ajoni Wynn-Floyd, and Syd Dorsey

Procurement Services Attends BEACON Kitchen's Grand Opening

Earlier this April, Mark Cartwright, Syd Dorsey, and Ajoni Wynn-Floyd attended the grand opening of BEACON Kitchen, A New Hill Project. BEACON Kitchen is a licensed commercial kitchen that offers workstations for aspiring chefs to grow and advance their skills, fostering a community for culinary entrepreneurs. This amazing project was brought to life by Yolunda Harrell, CEO of New Hill Development. Wynn-Floyd attests that she is extremely proud of the New Hill team for their dedication and hard work. We're so grateful for the team's  dedication to the community and maintaining strong connections with vendors in the greater Charlottesville area!

Congrats Joey!

Joey Carls -- Master's in Customer Experience Management

Joey Carls, Service Experience Manager, is set to get his Master's of Science in Customer Experience Management from Michigan State University in the coming weeks. This degree program centers around the five core competencies of effective customer experience management: Customer-Centric Organization, Understanding the Customer and Employee, Experience Design and Innovation, Employee Experience and Engagement, and Data Analytics and Continuous improvement. Congratulations Joey on this amazing achievement!

Reminder: Historical Data Moving From Oracle to Solix

Coming June 5

Last fall, we shared that UVA's historical data from Oracle is being moved to a new home: Solix, a more secure and structured data archive. This move, a collaboration between UVAFinance, OSP, UVAHR, and ITS, is part of our commitment to protecting sensitive data and improving data management practices. 

As a reminder, Oracle is no longer being updated with new financial or HR data since the University’s transition to Workday. The Oracle environment will be officially sunset this summer on June 5, and only a small group of central users will retain access to Solix going forward. 

Need historical data? We're here to help. 

If you need financial data that would have previously come from Oracle, just reach out to UVAFinance at askfinance@virginia.edu. Our team will either gather the information for you or, if it’s a more complex request, we’ll work with data stewards to review and support your needs. 

For historical HR data or grants-related data, you can contact askhr@virginia.edu or osp-postaward@virginia.edu, depending on the nature of your request. And don’t worry about choosing the “perfect” address—any of these teams will make sure your request gets to the right place. 

We're all working together to make this transition smooth and to ensure you still have access to the historical information you need. As always, we're just an email away! 

 

Financial Compliance: What are Internal Controls & How Do They Protect Us From Fraud?

Why do internal controls matter?

Contributed by JJ Sullivan

The UVAFinance Compliance team plays a vital role in supporting not just students, but parents, taxpayers, sponsors, and the broader university community as well. By ensuring the University follows  critical regulations and policies, the Compliance team helps protect the resources that power UVA. A key part of this work involves strong internal controls that help prevent errors in UVAFinance's framework, while keeping operations transparent and accountable. 

What are Internal Controls?

Internal Controls are ongoing processes affected by an organization's people, designed to provide reasonable assurance of the following objectives:

• Operational effectiveness and efficiency
• Reliability of financial reporting 
• Compliance with laws and regulations  

An organization's control environment directly impacts the risk of fraud.

What is Fraud? 

• Fraud: The intentional misrepresentation of information for unauthorized financial gain or to derive some other benefit.
• Abuse: Improper use of funds, resources, or authority that results in higher costs. 
• Waste: Misuse of resources or practices that result in excessive or nonessential expenditures.
• Mismanagement: Failure to appropriately manage budgets, expenditures, or documentation.

The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) estimates that five percent of annual revenue is lost to fraud each year, with a typical fraud case costing $117,000. 

When Does Fraud Occur?

• Pressure: There is financial or emotional motivation pushing towards fraud.
• Rationalization: There is a personal justification of dishonest actions.
• Opportunity: There is a perceived ability to execute plans without getting caught.

Why We Care

On a larger scale, fraud causes significant reputational damage, and with that comes a loss of community, sponsor, and donor trust. Financial loss that impacts budgets and fundings is also a big reason to be wary of fraud or potential fraud. On a smaller scale, fraud leads to potential audits, which demand time and resources, and can have a negative impact on work culture. 

UVAFinance relies on each of its employees and their work towards a more secure compliance position for UVA and its stakeholders!

_________________________________________________

This post is part of a series on internal controls and financial compliance.  Next time, we'll talk about how all of us can play a role in fraud prevention!

Want to hear more about what Financial Compliance does?  Check out this Finance Matters Podcast featuring the team, as well as our colleagues from UVA's Office of Audit & Compliance. 

Amazon Punchout Now Live in UVA Marketplace – Join Us for Training!

April 30, 10 am

We’re excited to announce that the Amazon Business Punchout is officially live in the UVA Marketplace, making it easier than ever to shop and purchase for your department.

To help you get started, we’re offering a training session at 10 am on April 30, 2025, led by our Amazon Business representative. You’ll get a thorough walkthrough of the UVA account and its features.

👉 Link to join the training session

Before the session, make sure you’ve joined the University of Virginia Amazon Business account and can access the punchout. Need help? Check out the Registration Guide or call (844) 428-3060 for one-on-one support.

We hope you’ll join us for training!

Professional Development Corner: April 10, 2025

Make a plan!

by Patty Marbury, Director of Training & Development

Whether you're looking to sharpen your existing skills, explore new areas of expertise, or expand your professional network, we’re excited to share a range of workshops and training programs that will support your ongoing development and help you navigate challenges and opportunities ahead.   

Here you will find links to plenty of online, self-paced, as well as instructor-led courses and programs that are available to you. (Remember to discuss all professional development opportunities with your manager prior to applying for any funds. See below for more information on the Education Benefit.) 

Why is professional development important? 

Check out this article from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, How Professional Development Can Boost Employee Engagement,on how participating in learning activities benefits all. 

More on cultivating a growth mindset 

Last month I shared an article on why cultivating a growth mindset is important when considering professional development and lifelong learning - Growth Mindset and Professional Development: Do you Have a Growth Mindset or a Fixed Mindset?  

So how do you move from having a fixed mindset to a growth mindset? This month we’ll focus on a couple of strategies to shift your thinking, and we’ll add more strategies in the months ahead.  

As with anything involving personal changes, look inward first – learn to recognize moments when you have a fixed mindset. For example, you may avoid a challenging assignment or task, engage in negative self-talk saying things like “I can’t do this”, or you may feel threatened by others’ accomplishments or success.  

Once you learn to recognize these fixed-mindset moments (and it may help to keep a journal or make a note when they occur) you implement simple strategies to shift your thinking. When you find yourself avoiding a task, project, or assignment, try to see them as an opportunity to learn and grow. Start small with a task that feels challenging and gradually take on bigger challenges. Looking for challenges that will help you grow. 

When you find yourself thinking, “I can’t do this”, changing your thinking to “I can’t do this yet” or “I might not know how to do this now, but I’m going to figure it out."  Recognize and celebrate progress. 

Coursera

Remember that we have access to Coursera, and an online learning platform that offers a wide range of courses, specializations, certifications, and degree programs from universities and institutions around the world. UVA has a university-wide subscription for Coursera. Check it out and start learning! 

Upcoming Offerings 

Listed below are links to offerings that may be of interest – this month we’ll focus on opportunities for which you can use your centrally-funded education benefit and are offered virtually, or in a few cases, locally, so there are no travel costs! (Remember, if you are requesting departmental funds, make sure it you have approval before you register for or enroll in any offering.) 

NACUBO* 

Washington Updates: 

• Washington Update: Funding Outlook, Legislative Priorities, and Regulatory Developments – April 9, 2-3 pm 
• What’s Next for Higher Education Policy: Navigating a New Congress and Administration – recorded on 2/11/25 
• 2024 Post-Election Analysis- Recorded on 11/19/24 

Other Live Online Events - unless indicated, the session is free to NACUBO members, which we are, although you need an individual account.* Some also offer CPE credits. 

• 2025 Higher Education Accounting Form – Online ($350) – This is an online option of the in-person 2025 conference which will be held April 22-24 in Las Vegas. 
• Navigating (Un)certainty in Higher Education: Proactive Strategies to Drive Institutional Agility – April 29 at 12:00 pm 
• Understanding Financial Exigency: What it Is, How it Works, and Why it Matters – May 8 at 1:00 pm 
• Driving Financial Transformation and Strategic Alignment at Western Kentucky University – May 13 at 3:00 pm 
• 2025 Planning, Budgeting, and Analytics Forum – Online (fee TBA) – This is a “save the date” announcement. The online conference will be held Sept 29-30. 

Self-Paced Courses and Microlearning 

• Strategic Higher Education Finance and Planning ($595) 
• F&A Short Form ($150) 
• Facilities Management ($49) 
• New to Higher Education ($49) 
• Essentials of College and University Accounting (this is currently undergoing regular review cycle and updates.) 

Podcasts 

• Career Conversations 
• NACUBO in Brief 

*Individual NACUBO membership is free through UVA’s institutional membership. To join go to nacubo.org and click on “Login or Join”. From the Login box, click on “Don’t have an account” and fill out the form. In the “Primary Affiliate” field enter “University of Virginia” and select the appropriate affiliate. 

The Chronicle of Higher Education 

• Professional Development Programs 
• Virtual Events (many are on-demand) 
• Free webinar series: Navigating Uncertainty Under Trump 

The Chronicle also has many interesting articles. 

• AGA - is the association that connects and empowers professionals who support government, from financial management to IT, human resources, cybersecurity and more, to advance good government initiatives, grow their expertise and accelerate their careers. (Requires membership.) Thanks to Matt Phillippi for this suggestion! 
• LearnBFSI (several interesting for fee courses - $199 each for live webinar and $159 for recording – note this company is in Australia) including: ChatGPT for CPAs and Finance Professionals as well as courses in Excel and ChatGPT for PowerPoint. 

Also consider the following as you plan your professional development for the year: 

• UVA Organizational Excellence has many learning opportunities. 
• UVA Human Resources offers many free programs and courses. 
• Learning Tracks | UVA HR – HR has created two new leadership tracks: on for Aspiring Managers and one for New Manager. This is about a year-long commitment and requires completion of an online form. Note UVAFinance Mangers – we are working with HR to have customized curriculum for managers, so if you’re interested in one of these tracks, please contact Patty Marbury, pam5w@virginia.edu before you enroll. 
• LinkedIn Learning - Human Resources also has links to microlearning courses and to LinkedIn Learning. (Participating in these courses does not require submitting a Professional Development Request Form.) 
• UVA’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS) offers many Certificate programs.  
• University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business online programs; many are $1,000 or less.  
• Stanford University Executive Education – the self-paced programs are $1,500. 
• UVA Darden Executive Education - There are two programs less than $2,000, using the discount. (Leading Mindfully and Collaboration and Influence.) 
•  Use the discount code UVA50, which provides a 50% discount for the cost of the program. (The prices listed are for the full cost.) 
• See the Darden Executive Education program schedule for upcoming dates. 

Education Benefit 

Each year you have $2,000 of centrally-funded education benefit for professional development or $5,250 to use for tuition toward a degree-seeking program. See https://hr.virginia.edu/career-development/education-benefits-1 for more information. (To be eligible for this benefit, you must have had six months of service in a benefits-eligible position at UVA by the start date of the class, with the intent to remain on the active payroll during the entire term of the class.)  

Professional Development Request Form  

UVAFinance team members – Since we have submitted initial FY 2025 professional development requests already, please discuss with your manager and use the Professional Development Request Form before you register for any program. Remember, not all professional development opportunities require submission of the form. If an opportunity is less than ½ day AND there is no cost associated with it, then do not submit a form. Many LinkedIn Learning courses and some courses offered by UVA Human Resources or other UVA departments meet these criteria. Otherwise, the form must be submitted. If unsure, feel free to ask! 

For LEADERS 

Here’s an article from the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL):  The Top 20 Leadership Challenges – this informative article provides many links to other articles and resources. (This is not a new article – it has been posted in past newsletters.) 

Please feel free to share other opportunities you come across and I’ll include them in future communications! 

 

 

Let’s Celebrate UVA’s Student Employees!

Click the image for a larger view

Earlier this month, the Office of the Provost shared a message recognizing the essential role of UVA’s student employees—and it’s worth sharing again.

Across Grounds, more than 7,000 student employees help keep the University running. From research and teaching support to administrative tasks and extracurricular programming, these students contribute meaningfully to the work we do every day. Their efforts enrich our academic community and advance UVA’s mission in education, research, and patient care.

If you supervise student workers, you’re invited—and encouraged—to help spread the word about several upcoming opportunities designed just for them:

---

🎓 Celebrate Your Skills Workshop

Make the Most of Your Student Employment Experience
Tuesday, April 15 – 12:00 PM
Newcomb South Meeting Room
Hosted by the UVA Career Center, this workshop helps student employees reflect on the value of their work experience and learn how to leverage it professionally. Managers are welcome to attend alongside their student employees!

Read more and RSVP

---

📸 Professional Head Shot Pop-Ups

Free headshots for student employees—perfect for LinkedIn and other professional platforms.

• Tuesday, April 15 – 10:00 AM–12:00 PM, Lawn outside the Rotunda

• Wednesday, April 16 – 3:30–5:00 PM, Lawn outside the Rotunda

Set up an appointment

---

🍦 Scoop of Thanks

Free Ben & Jerry’s ice cream for student employees!
Wednesday, April 16 – 1:00 PM, Lower Lawn (Homer Flat)

---

🌟 Outstanding Student Employee Award

Do you work with an amazing student employee? Consider nominating them for recognition! This award honors undergraduate or graduate student workers who demonstrate exceptional dedication, initiative, or leadership in their roles.
🗓️ Nominations are due by Friday, April 18.
Nominate a student here

---

In addition to these University-sponsored events, we encourage you to find your own meaningful ways to thank the student employees in your area. A personal note, shoutout at a team meeting, or small gesture of appreciation can go a long way.

Have questions? Reach out to StudentEmployment@virginia.edu for more information about these events or anything related to student employment.

Let’s show our student employees how much we value all they do!

Amazon Punchout Tile Launches April 21 in UVA Marketplace

Coming soon!

Purchasing through Amazon Business is about to get even easier! Starting April 21, UVA is launching the Amazon Punchout Tile in the UVA Marketplace, expanding access while maintaining key purchasing controls and efficiencies.

What’s Changing? 

Previously, UVA’s centralized Amazon Business account streamlined purchasing for T&E Cardholders. Now, with the new Amazon Punchout Tile, more users across the University will be able to access Amazon Business directly through the UVA Marketplace, ensuring better oversight and a more efficient purchasing process.

 

Key Benefits 

• Expanded Access – More departments and buyers can purchase through Amazon Business while maintaining compliance with UVA procurement policies. 
• Purchasing Controls – Enhanced oversight to ensure responsible spending and adherence to University guidelines. 
• Amazon Business Perks – Enjoy tax exemption, quantity discounts, and support for diverse suppliers, just like before—but now with a smoother workflow.

Training & Support 

To help users get the most out of this new feature, UVA is offering training and support opportunities:

• April 15: Amazon representatives will be on Grounds for training and office hours with high-volume purchasers. (invites will be sent) 
• April 17: Procurement will demo the new Punchout Tile at the Fiscal Administrators Meeting. Not on the Fiscal Administrators’ list? Contact askfinance@virginia.edu to be added. 
•  April 30: A virtual training session will be available for new and existing users. Watch your email for invites on the April 21 Launch Day!

 
What You Need to Do 

• Mark your calendar for the April 21 launch of the Amazon Punchout Tile. 
• Consider attending the virtual session on April 30 (email invites will be sent April 15)
• Stay tuned for additional updates in the UVA Finance blog.

 
With this upgrade, UVA is making purchasing easier than ever while ensuring compliance and maximizing benefits. Have questions? Reach out to us at askfinance@virginia.edu !

UVAFinance in Action: April 10, 2025

Amanda Meares (right)

Amanda Meares - Experienced Supervisors Institute 

At the end of March, Amanda Meares completed the Experienced Supervisors Institute (ESI) through the Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute. ESI is a program for supervisors, managers, and project leaders who want to better manage the complexities of their workplace and enhance critical skills in appropriate leadership communications, building employee engagement, and fostering a welcoming workspace for all employees. Congratulations Amanda on extending your professional development outside of UVA!

Women in Construction Summit

UVA Represents at the Women in Construction Summit

This March, Ajoni Wynn Floyd represented the University of Virginia at the Women in Construction Summit held in Richmond, Virginia. The summit, sponsored by the MBL Foundation and J&G Workforce Development Services, brought together women from across the construction and real estate development industries to foster connections, access key resources, and support both career and business growth.

Through a series of engaging panel discussions—including Public Meets Private: Exploring Synergies in Partnership, Entrepreneurial Growth: Navigating Challenges and Opportunities, Partnering with Primes: Strategies for Collaborative Success, and Blueprints for Success: Students Shaping the Future of Construction—the event promoted diversity, equity, and innovation in employment, entrepreneurship, and procurement.

Wynn-Floyd’s participation at the summit highlighted UVA’s ongoing commitment to partnerships and workforce development within the construction industry.

Amanda Meares - Dare to Lead™ Trained

Amanda Meares recently received a new certification as Dare to Lead Trained, from Dare to Lead™. Meares says she appreciates the wonderful work of Rose Evans Markey with UVA HR, who walked Meares and other leaders through this Dare to Lead journey, helping open the door to insightful conversation by sharing her own expertise. Congrats Amanda on your completion of this program and all of your hard work!

Payroll Listening Tour: Improving Processes Together

Process Improvement begins with Listening

The Payroll team has been meeting with departments across the University to gather insights on payroll costing and accounting adjustments. So far, they’ve connected with nearly 20 departments, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive—teams appreciate being included in conversations about the process improvements.

This listening tour was launched as part of the GL Integrity Project, with payroll costing and accounting adjustments identified as key focus areas. Rather than making process changes or launching training initiatives without input, the Payroll team wanted to hear directly from those who work with these processes daily. By understanding challenges firsthand, they can better determine whether improvements should come from system functionality, additional training, or process refinements.

With feedback in hand, the team is now exploring potential solutions—whether that means leveraging Workday’s existing capabilities, streamlining workflows, or offering targeted training on Grounds. Since Workday’s implementation, this marks the first in-depth review of payroll processes post-go-live, making it a critical opportunity to assess what’s working well and where enhancements are needed.

A huge thank you to the departments that participated—your input is invaluable! Leading this effort are Victoria Peprah-Asante and Joel Kreider, who will continue synthesizing feedback and guiding next steps.

Stay tuned for updates as the team works toward meaningful improvements in payroll processes.

Manifold: Procurement's Purchase for UVA Cancer Research

Jessica Lenore of the Procurement Team
led the way with the Manifold purchase.

UVA Health is a recognized leader in cancer care, performing in the top 10% of cancer centers in the country. While healthcare experts are concerned with medical treatments and taking care of their patients, it is important to implement behind-the-scenes technology to make keeping track of patients, research, and data easier for healthcare workers. The Procurement Team's work with AI company Manifold is a wonderful example of the valuable effort that goes into maintaining UVA Health's research database. 

A Problem with Database Access

The UVA Cancer Registry routinely abstracts data for cancer patients who are have been either diagnosed and/or received treatment at UVA Health. There are around 130,000 patients in this system, many of whom have had surgical biospecimens collected under waiver of consent or under the Total Cancer Care consent. Patients with abstracted clinical data and matched biospecimens are a much needed resource for many Cancer Center investigators, but the resources are underutilized due to the difficulty in data access. The data sits in siloed platforms and requires multiple teams to work together to link patients. Even simple feasibility questions for projects can take weeks to answer, significantly hindering research progress. 

Finding a Solution

Manifold specializes in assisting this process, by pulling research and information from all of these databases, putting them into one uniform platform, and making it functional and easy to use, integrating all the complex data sources into one searchable source. 

After Manifold was first introduced to UVA Health as a pilot program to test its efficacy, there was a push to proceed with its implementation across multiple data sources. And that's where Procurement's Jessica Lenore comes in.  

An Assist from Procurement Services

Lenore met and negotiated with Manifold multiple times, and received the green light on the program two weeks before it needed to be signed. She met with the Cancer Center department to clarify any questions, and moved ahead with signing. Lenore also facilitated looping in University Counsel and the Health Center's Infosec to make sure the AI language included in Manifold's contract was appropriate coverage for UVA and patient data. 

This was a tremendous effort, but given the scope and importance of it, Lenore and her team put extra effort in for the benefit of UVA Health, UVA Cancer Registry, and future cancer research. 

UVAFinance Team: Headshot Day!

Sign up now!

Hey Central Finance Team members: need some new, updated headshots?  Or maybe you're a new team member and need to get your first headshot at UVAFinance!

Sign up to take them on April 16th, at Carruthers Hall! Come to the entrance facing Barracks Road Shopping Center, entering the Carruthers Hall foyer. Headshots will be taken outside, weather permitting. 

Sign up here before slots fill up! Slots are available from 9:00am to 11:40am. 

UVA Research Computing Exhibition & Poster Competition

Join us!

Join us for the annual UVA Research Computing Exhibition on Wednesday, April 23, from 10am to 2pm in Newcomb Hall Ballroom. No registration is required--just drop by anytime to explore the incredible research happening across UVA.

This event is a wonderful opportunity to:

• See and discuss research posters 
• Hear Lightning Talks from UVA faculty 
• Learn about resources for research 
• Explore diverse research methods 
• Connect with the UVA research community 
• Enjoy free food and beverages

UVA students and staff using UVA Research Computing resources in their research will showcase their work and be considered for one of six travel awards (up to $3,000), which will be awarded at the end of the exhibition. View the Exhibition Schedule here. 

For questions, contact rc-events@virginia.edu.

Annual Workday Role Attestation Campaign Begins April 28

Attestation time!

Beginning April 28, UVA will undergo a verification period to ensure that all employees have the correct Workday access. It is best practice to perform regular attestation for any system of record in which employees access highly sensitive data, like Workday. Regular validation of user access also keeps UVA in compliance with University Policy SEC-037. As the University allows functionality to be distributed across Grounds, it is even more important to ensure that the correct people have appropriate access and can perform the proper functions to be good stewards of UVA's resources. 

This Workday Role Attestation campaign is sent out to managers of employees who have roles within the system, so those managers can review their employees' access and certify whether or not they need designated roles. 

In April, managers will receive clear instructions regarding attestation through the Identity and Access Management compliance tool, along with resources to guide them through the process. The campaign will begin on April 28, and managers will have ten business days from the start of the attestation campaign to complete and submit their review of employees' roles.

The attestation is a snapshot in time, so any changes after the launch of the campaign will not be included. It is important to note that failure to attest employees' roles could result in the loss of system access for those employees, so managers should stay on top of the campaign's timeline to ensure attestation goes smoothly for themselves and their teams!

Travel & Expense: How to Save on Business Travel

Book now and start saving!

Saving on Business Travel

When booking departmental travel, TravelUVA  offers significant upfront savings and added value thanks to negotiated contracts with airline, rental car, and hotel providers—guaranteeing you the lowest available prices. 

Not convinced? Take a look at the details for yourself: UVA Travel Contracts. 

An added bonus: TravelUVA offers built-in flexibility, making it easy to adjust traveler names, dates, or itineraries—saving you from costly change fees and cancellations. 

Your travel plans changed? Contact the UVA Travel Team (Travel@virginia.edu) for support and guidance every step of the way.

• Book business travel for yourself, another employee, or a University guest through TravelUVA's Concur Online Booking tool, or with a Christopherson Business Travel advisor to save money on flights, hotels, and rental cars. 
• The University's travel contracts are pre-loaded in TravelUVA and include discounts and many other benefits. 
• Visit the Travel Contracts page for more information on contracted vendors and benefits. 

Wellness Resources: April 2025

Emotional Intelligence Workshop

Curious about Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and how it impacts your success? Learn about its key competencies, practical ways to build your EQ skills, and how you can deepen your knowledge through an upcoming workshop on April 17, 9am-12pm for Emotional Intelligence in Action (Virtual), with Kate Freeman. 

Upcoming Webinars: Ten Self-Care Superpowers You Probably Didn't Know You Have

 April 17, 12:00pm - 1:00pm; Presented by FEAP

Organizational leaders are increasingly aware that supporting employees and creating healthy work environments are important. That said, self-care and resilience are critical elements as well, and their development is within our control. Register for this webinar here.

Upcoming Webinars: Take Control of Your Financial Life - Five Steps to Save Money and Manage Debt

April 14, 12pm & 2pm; Presented by TIAA

Learn how to manage money, uncover how to set goals, balance your budget, and use debt wisely. With the know-how you need and a little determination, you can put yourself on the path to greater lifelong financial security. Register for this webinar here.

Rest, Reset, and Restore

April 15, 4:00pm - 5:00pm (In-Person)

The Human Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) manages stress and recovery. Modern life often disrupts this balance, causing Nervous System Dysregulation (NSD) linked to chronic disease, anxiety, and depression. Learn to activate your Restore Branch at this R-3 drop-in session. Co-sponsored by FEAP and Population Health. Register here to attend this session.

Or-- if you're interested in taking a few moments on your own to Rest, Reset, and Restore, check out this online guided session for a quick mental refresh.

Take a Micro Health Break 

Back by popular demand is a second series of Micro Health Breaks. While this new series started in March, there are plenty of opportunities to still join us this spring. In just ten minutes, you can boost your focus, ease stress, and strengthen your body through a variety of activities such as chair yoga, meditation, and low intensity cardio. 

Find the schedule and more information here. Note: this is not a Hoos Well sponsored event.

eM Life: Spring into a New Mindset

New season, new mindset! This month, challenge yourself to improve your happiness and well-being with mindfulness. Complimentary access to eM Life is available to employees enrolled in the UVA Aetna Health Plan or the UPG Anthem Plan. Click here to sign up for eM Life for free, and check out this link for Ten Short Everyday Mindfulness Practices.

Webinar Archive 

The FEAP For You portal offers a rich archive of past webinars covering a wide range of topics, from positive intelligence and avoiding burnout to workplace mental health. Explore the collection today!

Lace Up Your Walking Shoes!

Spring is in the air, so what better time to dust off your walking shoes and get outside? There are so many opportunities to get moving outside--from a walk in your neighborhood, to a local, state, or federal park, to a stroll along a river, lake, or beach, walking is an easy, low-impact exercise that's beneficial for overall fitness. Many parks and other public places have ADA accommodations or are ADA compatible. 

Happy Earth Month!

Celebrate our beautiful planet!

Happy April and Happy Earth Month!

Are you ready to celebrate our shared planet? Now more than ever, it's important to connect in community around our shared values and love for the planet. Each April, UVA Sustainability partners with organizations across UVA and the greater Charlottesville community to host a myriad of celebrations: clean-ups, clothing swaps, talks, tree plantings, and much more. There is something for everyone, so mark your calendars, share the info, and we'll see you there!

50+ Earth Month events held at UVA and in the community--See the full schedule here.