Join us at March’s Coffee Talk as we delve into Purposeful Pivots on Tuesday, March 12, from 8 to 9 a.m., at the Jepson Alumni Executive Center’s Kalnen Inn Living Room, 1119 Hanover St. Register for the March Coffee Talk.

When life throws us a curve ball it requires us to pivot, and for some that curve ball is your pain that determines your purpose. Turning pain into purpose takes courage that will create new growth opportunities. Purposeful pivots are cultivated and a continual process that require us to be intentionally focused. We nurture healthy relationships and we use creative strategies to build our life strategic plan to create legacy.

March’s Coffee Talk will be led by Juanita Shanks, Founder & CEO of Failsafe-ERA, a non-profit organization in Fredericksburg, Virginia. It is designed to provide transformative services to families and individuals impacted by incarceration. Since the inception of FailSafe-ERA in 2009, Juanita’s passion to help the justice-involved and families impacted by incarceration derives from her walk through the criminal justice system with her son. Although he passed away at an early age her fight for reform did not end with his death, it was magnified. One of her greatest accomplishments is the Inaugural Hall of Change where 17 returning citizens (formerly incarcerated) were inducted into the FailSafe-ERA Hall of Change as Agents of Change.

Juanita is a Veteran of the United States Army. She has 35 years of experience in the Federal Government, from which she retired August 2017. She held several management positions with responsibility for providing enterprise-wide policy and support in the areas of human resources, installations management, strategic

planning, operations, and budget. One of her greatest accomplishments was championing the Defense Logistics Agency’s resiliency and wellness program campaign for 25,000+ civilian and military personnel.

Juanita is a certified John Maxwell Coach, Teacher, Trainer, and Speaker. She is committed to helping individuals better understand their purpose through intentional learning and living. She is a Dr. Amen Certified Brain Health Trainer where her passion lies in removing the stigma of mental health and helping others understand the importance of taking care of their brain. Juanita is a change management strategist, constantly called upon to help individuals develop their personal change management strategy and to provide guidance and direction on building a non-profit organization. She is also the author of Building Your Spiritual House: Pathway to the Next Level and iQonquer Moving Past the Pains “It takes courage to Evolve and Grow”, as well as the recipient of numerous awards.

The following message is from the Office of Administration and Finance:

The following space and lot reservations will be in effect beginning March 12, 2024:

• Tuesday, March 12: Double Drive Inbound and Outbound median parking spaces will be closed for tree work from 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Five spaces in the GW lot will be reserved for admissions guest parking.
• Wednesday, March 13: the George Washington lot will be reserved for the Evolving Practices Conference from 7:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.  While guest vehicles will remain in the GW lot until the conclusion of the conference, spaces that remain open after 1:30 p.m. may be used by UMW faculty and staff.
• Thursday, March 14, 2024:
  • The George Washington parking lot and 19 spaces on Double Drive will be reserved from 6:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. for the Rappahannock Regional Criminal Justice Academy Graduation.
  • The Thornton Street parking lot is reserved from 7:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. for the Women’s Breakfast.  While guest vehicles will remain in Thornton Street until the conclusion of the event, spaces that remain open after 9:00 a.m. may be used by UMW faculty and staff.
• Friday, March 15, 2024: Double Drive Outbound parking spaces will be closed for tree work from 7:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.

Parking for faculty and staff will remain available in all other designated faculty and staff lots.

As a reminder:

• Accessible parking spaces are available in all open lots to any vehicles with DMV-issued accessible placards or license plates.
• The UMW Police Department provides escorts when needed and may be reached at ext. 1025. Please visit the Safety Escort webpage for more information.

For a calendar view of lot reservations visit the Parking Lot Reservations Calendar webpage. Please contact Parking Management with any parking related questions: parking@umw.edu, 540/654-1129.

The University of Mary Washington Dining team is hosting a breakfast on March 14 to celebrate women who have made a difference in our campus community, or in the broader Fredericksburg community. Women like yourself, who are role models, who break barriers and who lead by example, whether behind the scenes or in the limelight, are being invited to join for an “InHer Circle” Breakfast, the first of what we hope will become annual celebrations.

The breakfast program will feature Susan J. Coleman, one of our area’s most accomplished, respected, and sought-after motivational speakers. She’s truly a remarkable woman, and we know that she’ll challenge, encourage, and uplift each individual in attendance, no matter where they are in their life’s journey. Everyone, whether they’re women working in academia, serving in our community, holding down a 9 to 5 job, caring for families, operating a small business, or running a major corporation, need to have moments when they can connect with each other, laugh together, learn about, and even inspire one another. We invite you to enjoy these moments, plus some pretty terrific food prepared by our outstanding Chefs, at our inaugural “In Her Circle” Breakfast.  We hope you’ll join us!

Where, When, How & Who:

Where: Chandler Ballroom in the Cedric Rucker University Center located on College Avenue between Payne and Parcel Streets.  A map with parking areas noted is attached with this e-mail.

When: Thursday, March 14th from 9am to 10:30am.

How: Please RSVP by March 7 to let us know whether you’ll be able to attend. We’ve created an online Google Reservation form that you can access using this LINK.

Who: If for some reason you are unable to use the link, or you need additional information, please call or e-mail Rose Benedict, University Dining Marketing Manager at 540.654.2169 / rbenedic@umw.edu.