VIRTUAL WORLD

WE PUSHED FORWARD

As the Division of Research & Innovation (R&I) team witnessed the COVID-19 situation looming on the horizon, we were able to move quickly and seamlessly to a virtual workspace. The R&I was an early adopter for the new Microsoft technology Teams. Teams is a workspace platform for chat and videoconferencing. Through a collaborative effort with the Web Services Department, R&I completed Microsoft Teams training. This proactive decision to embrace new and innovative technology eventually proved to be an advantage in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Using technologies, such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom, we seamlessly maintained effective communication within the Division and with our campus and external collaborators.

Through virtual platforms, we conducted all of our operations and service, especially

o The weekly Research & Innovation Training Institute (RITI)

o Research Data Blitz

o Monthly Research Compliance Meetings, and

o Hiring of New Staff

o Monthly Team Socials and Games

The enhanced tracking of attendance and engagement proved to be an unexpected benefit. During the virtual world, R&I witnessed more faculty, staff, and student participation, especially in seminars and workshops, compared to in-person offerings. Continuation of such virtual or hybrid offerings will become the norm of the future.

By fully embracing the available technology and undergoing training, we incorporated the new platforms into our daily office functions. Our virtual morning greetings often spurred conversations and interactions that may not have been possible if we were in physical proximity to one another. We continued to promote the mantra "One Team, One Dream." Although physically separated, technology allowed us to maintain a connection with one We realized that being in this virtual world provided opportunities for creativity for our Monthly Social as well. Each month, one of the six units within the Division would volunteer to host the social. The hosts were tasked with developing an innovative, fun delivery of professional development and team-building activities. For many, these activities seemed to meet the inherent need for human interaction.

The global pandemic disrupted the status quo and could have caused major upheavals within our Division. But with a previously-established path and with goals and vision as motivation, the R&I team knew it could persevere. It did! We relied on each other--and our proven protocols--forged ahead in a virtual workspace without disrupting our service and commitment to research and innovation at PVAMU.