What used to be known as National Secretaries Week is now Administrative Professionals Week (April 23-29) and will be observed at the University April 28 during a special conference featuring guest speakers and a luncheon with entertainment.

Sponsored by the Division of Human Resources, the conference recognizes administrative professional and support staff by providing a learning, networking, and self-improvement opportunity. It will be held from 8:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the West Quad Learning Center at the corner of Sumter and Wheat streets in Columbia. The center is one block west of the Blatt PE Center (Building 146D on the campus map.)

"This year, rather than taking staff members to lunch or buying flowers, managers may want to consider making this conference available to them," said Mina Antley, professional development manager. "We've made every effort to make this an affordable professional development opportunity for administrative staff," Antley said.

The conference is designed to help administrative professionals and administrative support staffs take charge of their development and achieve greater success in their careers. It will teach new ways of thinking about career development and will help participants identify opportunities to improve their skills, enhance their professionalism, and increase their value to their administrative and academic units.

The morning session will feature motivational speaker Glenda Doles, whose presentation, "Invest in Yourself," will help participants create a more polished, professional image at work, communicate with greater diplomacy and tact, be more attentive to details, and take initiative to get things done.

During the afternoon, Greg Creech will offer entertainment and education with "The Great Administrative Balancing Act: People, Paper, and Processes." This session will provide practical tips for staying on what he calls "the balance beam of life" while gaining insight and information to help manage the challenges of people, processes, and paper associated with administrative careers.

The cost of the conference is $45 and enrollment is limited. Any administrative staff member may register for the conference. Supervisory approval is required for fee-based programs that will be charged back to the department.

Participants may register online at http://hr.sc.edu/conference.html or mail their registration to Professional Development at 1600 Hampton St., Suite 101.

For more information, call 7-6578.

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