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VTO Program Supports Community Engagement
The Volunteer Time Off (VTO) program, which will launch May 4, supports staff engagement in the community by providing paid time to volunteer with eligible organizations. Eligible staff may use up to 15 hours (two days) of paid time per calendar year to volunteer. Full details, including eligibility requirements and FAQs, are available in the Volunteer Time Off guidance.
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Save the Date: CMU Community Picnic on May 13!
Join us for food, fun and festivities at this year’s CMU Community Picnic on Wednesday, May 13, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. All are invited to come together and celebrate the end of the academic year.
Enjoy delicious food, explore the campus art show and try your luck at winning one of our exciting raffle baskets. Check out the schedule of events — you won’t want to miss it.
Interested in being part of the art show? CMU community members are invited to submit their work for consideration in this year’s curated exhibition. Space is limited, and selections will be made by the organizing committee. Complete the art show registration form by April 30 to be considered.
Staff Council will also be selling Kennywood Fun Day tickets at the picnic. CMU Community Day at Kennywood is scheduled for Saturday, June 13. Stay up to date on times and locations of upcoming ticket sales on the Kennywood Day website.
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Global Accessibility Awareness Day
Office of the CIO, Digital Accessibility Office
Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) is an annual event held each May to spark conversation, learning, and action around digital access and inclusion. Now in its fourth year at Carnegie Mellon University, the event brings together faculty, staff, students, and community partners to explore how thoughtful, inclusive design improves digital experiences and helps remove barriers for the more than one billion people worldwide living with disabilities.
This year, we invite you to join us on Thursday, May 21, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Cohon University Center, Rangos Ballroom. The day will begin with a choice of hands-on workshops covering accessible content creation or the intersection of neurodivergence, assistive technology and generative AI. Attendees will also celebrate accessibility work happening across campus during lunch and featured presentations, including a keynote from CMU alumna Lex Huth, a writer, speaker and accessibility advocate whose work explores the intersection of AI, emerging technology and disability inclusion.
Whether you’re just beginning to explore accessibility or looking to deepen your expertise, GAAD at CMU offers an opportunity to learn, connect, and take meaningful steps toward a more inclusive digital environment for all. Join us for GAAD 2026.
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Third Annual World Storytelling Day
CMU Employee Resource Groups
On Friday March 20th, CMU's Employee Resource Groups hosted their third annual all-ERG World Storytelling Day event. World Storytelling day is an annual event that highlights the art of oral storytelling traditions, and which encourages participants around the globe to share their stories with others. The theme for 2026 was "Light in the Dark," and the event featured stories from ERG members ranging from emotional to funny to poignant (and sometimes all three at once)!
Interested in finding more about events like this? Learn how to become a member of our Employee Resource Groups here!
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LAST CALL FOR TARTAN PRIDE
JOIN THE VIRTUAL TAKE OUR CHILDREN TO WORK DAY 2026 CELEBRATION TOMORROW
This Thursday, Carnegie Mellon opens its physical and virtual campuses to the next generation of innovators for Take Our Children to Work Day. While our in-person session registration has closed, the virtual program is wide open and ready to deliver an unforgettable experience as kids dive into the world of AI Algorithms and go on a virtual scavenger hunt through CMU's Entertainment Technology Center.
Register for the Virtual Track Today!
For those on campus, feel free to bring your lunch to the Rangos Ballroom at noon to check in and eat with colleagues. You'll get to see the energy growing firsthand. A few walk-in spots for the in-person program may be available around 12:45 p.m.
Don't forget to download the School Information Form and check for your school's PSSA testing schedules.
| | | Time | Activity | | 12:55-1:00 p.m. | Join the Zoom session at least 5 minutes early to verify connection and sound settings. | | 1:00-1:10 p.m. | Welcome & fun program kick-off activity. | | 1:10-1:30 p.m. | Session 1: Your Brain vs. the Algorithm
Explore how social media and AI systems compete for our attention and shape what we see, think, and believe. Through simple examples and surprising facts, kids and parents will learn how algorithms work and how critical thinking helps us stay in control of our own minds. | | 1:30-1:40 p.m. | Q&A + Break | | 1:40-2:00 p.m. | Session 2: Entertainment Technology Center (ETC) Virtual Scavenger Hunt
Join us for a live virtual tour of the ETC, where you'll explore a creative space for games and storytelling while playing along with a fun Bingo style scavenger hunt to spot exciting things along the way! | | 2:00-2:10 p.m.
| Q&A + Wrap-up | | | Tomorrow is going to be an unforgettable day of discovery, play and #TartanPride. We can't wait to see you tomorrow, in person and online! | | Staff Council General Body Meeting | |
April Highlights
- Reaccreditation for Carnegie Mellon is underway, and evaluation will continue through this October.
- The reaccreditation process is essential for maintaining federal funding, including student aid and research grants.
- Approximately two-thirds of the 125 people on reaccreditation committees are staff.
- The 100-page narrative for accreditation will be available for community review this summer.
- The Graduate Student Assembly is looking to increase collaboration with Staff Council.
- Voting for divisional elections ends April 24. Please vote if you haven't already.
- Elections for Staff Council vice chair, secretary and treasurer will take place at the May General Body Meeting.
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Whatever Drive: Volunteer to Support Sustainable Move-Out
Monday, April 27 – Tuesday, May 12 | Multiple campus drop-off locations | Various shift times
Carnegie Mellon University’s annual Whatever Drive returns as part of the university’s end-of-semester move-out efforts. Led by the Office of Community Engagement & Leadership Development in collaboration with campus partners, the program helps divert usable items from landfills and redistribute them to campus initiatives and local community organizations — supporting CMU’s broader sustainability goals.
Join fellow staff and students in supporting this campus-wide effort. Volunteers are essential to keeping the program running smoothly and are invited to assist with donation collection, sorting and transportation throughout the duration of the drive.
Volunteer Opportunities:
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Donation Station Staff/Sorters: Assist at drop-off locations by welcoming donors, tracking participation, and sorting items based on community partner needs.
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Transporters: Help move donations between locations and to the central sorting hub in E-Tower. (Comfortable clothing recommended.)
Volunteers are also welcome to take donated items during their shift, if desired.
Get Involved:
Sign up for a shift through the volunteer form. For questions, please contact the program organizers.
Hosted by the Office of Community Engagement & Leadership Development, Green Practices, Residential Education and Housing
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Meeting of the Minds (MoM)
Wednesday, April 29 | Kirr Commons, Jared L. Cohon University Center | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Join us for Meeting of the Minds 2026 to celebrate the extraordinary undergraduate research and creative inquiry taking place in every discipline across our university.
Students from across campus will be sharing their work through poster sessions, oral presentations, art installations, and prototype demonstrations. Please come out to show your support for our Carnegie Mellon research community!
Key Locations
Cohon University Center:
- Main location for poster and oral presentations, art exhibits, and prototype demos
- Event check-in and information, morning coffee and afternoon popcorn in Kirr Commons
- IDeATe Meet Me @ Exhibition in the Studio Theater
Gates-Hillman Building:
- SCS thesis presentations and posters
The event schedule and virtual presentation previews will be available on our online Meeting of the Minds platform on Monday, April 27.
Hosted by the Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholar Development
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Soft Tech Quilting Bee
Mondays through May 4, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. | Studio A, Hunt Library
Looking for a low-key way to unwind and make something creative? The Soft Tech Quilting Bee is a casual, drop-in gathering hosted by IDeATe and open to all skill levels.
Whether you’re an experienced quilter or just curious to try it out, you’re welcome to join the group’s communal quilt, bring your own project or simply stop by to connect with others. Come when you can, no commitment required!
The group is also working toward raffling their completed quilt to support a cause of their choice, adding a meaningful impact to the creative process.
Hosted by Olivia Robinson, Teaching Professor, IDeATe/ETC
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Commencement 2026: Staff Volunteers Needed
Friday, May 9 – Sunday, May 11 | Various campus locations | Multiple shift times
Commencement is just around the corner (May 9–10), and staff volunteers are needed to support this important event. Assistance is needed Friday through Sunday, with the greatest need on Sunday morning. Staff support is essential to ensuring a smooth and memorable experience for our graduates and their guests.
Please take a moment to review the volunteer form and sign up for a shift that fits your schedule. Additional details will be shared closer to the event. Thank you in advance for your support!
Please reach out to Laurel Furlow with any questions.
From the Office of Alumni and Constituent Engagement
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CMU Community Picnic
Wednesday, May 13 | Various Campus Locations | 11:30 a.m – 1 p.m.
The CMU Community Picnic honors the vital contributions that staff members make to the university. Please join us as the CMU community gathers to enjoy good food, outdoor games, raffles, and more!
- Who: All CMU community members are welcome to attend
- When: Wednesday, May 13, from 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
- Where: Rangos Ballroom and Wiegand Gym in the Cohon University Center / Tartan Pavilion in Resnik House / Legacy Plaza
Hosted by the Office of Human Resources and Staff Council with support from the Office of the President
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Advance Your Career with an MA in Professional Writing
Looking to power your professional communication proficiency? The MA in Professional Writing program allows attendees to learn new approaches and grow concrete skills in writing, design and communication. The program is a year and a half for full time students and three years for part-time students. For those enrolling using staff tuition benefits, be aware that new regulations may allow for tax-exempt study when the degree is work-related!
Apply by May 13 for a Fall 2026 start. Check out the details.
Available through the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences
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Global Accessibility Awareness Day
Thursday, May 21 | Jared L. Cohon University Center, Rangos Ballroom | 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Carnegie Mellon University’s Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) returns for its fourth year, bringing together faculty, staff, students and community partners to explore how we can create more inclusive digital experiences. This year’s event features hands-on workshops, campus updates and a keynote presentation that highlights the intersection of accessibility, emerging technology and real-world impact.
Join us for a day of learning, discussion and collaboration as we continue working to remove barriers and make accessibility a shared responsibility across our community.
Schedule of Events:
- 8:30 a.m. – Registration/Breakfast
- 9:00 a.m. – Workshops
- 11:30 a.m. – Lunch and featured presentations
Register Now or for questions, please contact the Digital Accessibility Office.
Hosted by the Office of the CIO, Digital Accessibility Office
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The Staff Voice is a monthly newsletter distributed by the Staff Council Communications Committee. You are receiving this email because of your status as a staff member of the university.
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