Happy New Year! We're starting 2026 off strong with a focus on putting 2025 evaluations to rest and setting new goals. Performance management, leadership development, and resources for growth are what this month's newsletter is about.

Click here to register for the upcoming in-person People Leader Forum. January's forum will focus on performance management and provide real-time, in-person sessions to help leaders with annual evaluations and goal setting. 

You can view previous forum recordings or past months' PLN newsletters on the People Leader website. 

In this month’s newsletter: 

In-Person People Leader Forum: Performance Management   

During this session on performance management for supervisors, you’ll have the opportunity to learn directly from subject matter experts and share experiences with your peers, gaining valuable insights into effective practices. You’ll leave equipped with practical tools and strategies, as well as increased confidence, to manage and motivate your teams. 

When: Wednesday, Jan. 28 | 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. (with breakout sessions)
Where: Exhibition Hall, upstairs rooms

Changemakers Academy Closing Program

You're invited to the Changemaker Academy closing program on Tuesday, Jan. 27, featuring keynote speaker, Dr. Kristin Neff. Our 2025-26 cohort has worked hard, and we hope you'll join us to celebrate them! 

The Changemaker Academy supports leaders in growing their impact, deepening their self-awareness, and contributing to a culture of excellence across campus. This event is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the program’s impact and to celebrate our 2025 cohort of Changemakers. Please attend and bring a friend!

When: Tuesday, Jan. 27 | 9 - 11 a.m. 
Where: Ferst Center for the Arts

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.   

Performance Management @Tech supports the Institute’s goal of supporting staff development and performance. It also supports our ability to leverage performance during the reward phase of the performance management process.  

Note: Please take this survey to help our Employee Performance team improve processes and outreach. 

Note: Academic faculty, research faculty, academic professionals, or post doc fellows are annually reviewed by the appropriate designee. They are not required to use the forms or processes that are designated for classified employees. Student employees, retired but working (RBW), affiliates, and faculty, GTRI, GTAA and EI2 staff are not required to use the Performance @Tech module.  

The 2026 Spring Biannual Compliance Training will launch Wednesday, Feb. 4, and conclude Friday, Feb. 27. To help prepare for a successful campaign, supervisors should ensure that all in-active direct reports are properly terminated. Instructions on submitting a termination request for an employee in OneUSG Connect can be found here (note that only people leaders with direct reports have access to the link). 

For more information, important deadlines, and a direct link to the training portal, click the button below. 

We’re excited to announce that the nomination period for the 2026 Culture Champion Academy is open.  

The Culture Champion Academy is a 13-week leadership development program offered to people leaders and program managers at Georgia Tech. The program is comprised of carefully curated content spanning multiple disciplines, focusing on neuroscience and practical leadership skills. Participants progress through the curriculum with a cohort of like-minded leaders, with whom they engage in interactive workshops and synthesize their learning.  

If this opportunity aligns with your interests and goals, we welcome your self-nomination. Click here for more information or click the button below to nominate yourself. 

Growth is a journey, and the new Career Boosters initiative is your roadmap. Whether you're looking to sharpen your soft skills, expand your network, or gain clarity on your next move this year, Career Boosters can help.  

This dynamic suite of resources – with its four elements: mentoring, job shadowing, coaching, and professional branding – is designed to help faculty and staff take meaningful steps forward in their careers and provide participants the autonomy to chart their own paths. 

Click the button below to explore the Career Boosters webpage and learn more about how you can get involved. 

January is National Mentoring Month, and it's the perfect time to join MentorTech, Georgia Tech’s mentoring program. MentorTech is strategically designed to foster the professional development and career growth of Georgia Tech’s employees while building networks across the Institute.   

Whether you’re just starting out, looking for a way to accelerate your career growth, or are a seasoned professional looking to give back to the Georgia Tech community, MentorTech can help participants feel connected to campus, meet people, and build a closer-knit workplace. 

Click here to learn more, or click one of the buttons below to apply for the role relevant to you.