With the start of the fall semester, there's been an explosion of activity on campus. New students, their parents, and the return to in-person work norms has Tech absolutely buzzing. 

This month’s newsletter will help you prepare yourself and your teams for the new academic year. Below we are sharing events and resources to support you as a leader through change, where you can learn more about budget updates, and tips to start your school year strong.

Now that summer break has ended, the People Leader Forum resumes on Aug. 26. Click below to register. As a reminder, visit the People Leader website for previous recordings and other resources to help you lead.  

In this month’s newsletter: 

A&F Connects | Aug. 19 

Join us for A&F Connects to learn about Georgia Tech’s FY26 budget, federal funding sensitivities, and the University System of Georgia’s FY26 Merit Pay Program.

In-person attendance is highly encouraged but space is limited. RSVP by clicking the button below.

If you cannot attend in-person, join us virtually via Zoom.

Where: Price Gilbert Memorial Library #1280 - Scholars Event Network Theater 

When: Tuesday, Aug. 19, from 2 - 3 p.m.

People Leader Forum | Aug. 26

We’ll be sharing guidance and resources to support supervisors navigating change this semester. Topics include: change management, managing hybrid culture shifts and resistance.

Where: Clough Auditorium 144 

When: Tuesday, Aug. 26, at 10 - 11 a.m.

Faces of Tech | Oct. 8

Faces of Tech is back by popular demand, and we’re looking for employees from all job types and departments to represent the true faces of Georgia Tech. Your department can also sign up to table during the networking portion of the event. 

It's a great networking opportunity with a few additional perks.

What's in it for you?

If you're interested in participating in the next Faces of Tech event, fill out a quick form, by clicking the button below. We’ll be in touch once all details are confirmed! 

Kaiser Permanente Run, Walk & Roll (Sept. 25)

The Kaiser Permanente Run, Walk & Roll is coming up, but there's still time to register.

Click the button below to join the University System of Georgia (USG) team for the Thursday, Sept. 25 event. The USG will cover $25 for one employee and one guest (in-person race only). 

Schedule a Financial Checkup

Schedule a financial checkup with Michael Beuttel, our dedicated Corebridge Financial Advisor. Michael can help you navigate your retirement plan accounts and explore your options.

To schedule a meeting, click the button below.   

From the wild West to Down Under, we’re living vicariously through the pictures and stories that our Yellow Jacket colleagues have shared about their summer adventures. These stories are a reminder to take a moment, take a break, and take a breath as things get busy again. 

Click the button below to read how fellow employees spent their summers.  

The start of this academic school year signaled the transition in-person work standards at the Institute. By now, your team members are likely adjusting to updated ways of working. In alignment with Institute and USG policy, staff are expected to be: 

Note: This excludes any individual circumstances related to family medical leave or a workplace accommodation for a disability.   

If you are a leader who may need help encouraging employees to adhere to their updated in-person schedule, we are hosting two information sessions to assist. Click the links below to register: 

Any outstanding telework requests for AY26 should be addressed and resolved by unit leadership in ServiceNow no later than Aug. 15. This includes final approvals, denials, and resubmissions.

For updated supervisor guidance and talking points, click here. To review additional resources about telework arrangements and Georgia Tech’s updated in-person standard work model, click the button below.

All faculty, staff, and students who are active employees as of Aug. 1 will be required to complete the 2025 Fall Biannual Compliance Training by 11:59 p.m. EST on Friday, Sept. 12. The training will be available beginning Aug. 25 and takes approximately 90 minutes to complete.  

Click the button below to learn more. 

The Learning & Development team is here to help each Tech leader start the year strong. This year, we’re placing special emphasis on well-being, resilience, and emotional intelligence as essential leadership strengths.  

Click the button below to learn more about the curated set of course offerings – in-person, asynchronous, and through LinkedIn Learning – that will support your growth in the areas that matter most. 

Georgia Tech will participate in the university system-wide FY26 Merit Pay Program. Eligibility is based on employees’ most recent evaluations and other factors determined on the unit level. Recipients will be notified in late August. 

To learn more about merit pay eligibility and other details, click the button below. 

As Georgia Tech leadership has promised, we're analyzing feedback from the recent Gallup Q12 Employee Engagement Survey in bite-size pieces we're calling "microlearning sessions." 

This time, we're taking a closer look at Q08: The mission or purpose of my organization makes me feel my job is important.  

To view a presentation exploring Tech employees’ response to this question and Gallup’s analysis, click the button below.