PEOPLE. PURPOSE. PROGRESS HUMAN RESOURCES IMPACT REPORT
716 375 2102
2025-2026
HR@SBU.EDU
Supporting Our Mission Through People At St. Bonaventure University, our mission comes to life through the people who serve it each day. Over the past year, Human Resources has focused on strengthening the workforce through strategic hiring, employee engagement, policy modernization, professional development, and mission-centered support. Across campus, HR’s work has advanced institutional priorities, supported leadership, improved operations, and enhanced the employee experience. These efforts reflect a continued commitment to service, stewardship, and continuous improvement in support of the University’s longterm success.
A Note from CHRO Strengthening HR to Better Serve SBU This year, Human Resources completed an organizational realignment designed to enhance service delivery, clarify responsibilities, and position the department to better support the University's strategic priorities. By aligning roles with institutional needs, HR strengthened its capacity to provide responsive, strategic support across the employee lifecycle.
Kyle Burnett Chief Human Resources Officer
Dawn Parisella Executive Director of Employee Benefits and Campus Leave Administration
Katie Lowe
Jill Resig
Employee Engagement and Training Manager
Human Resources Administrative Assistant
DEAR BONA COMMUNITY: It is our privilege to share the 2025–2026 Human Resources Impact Report. The accomplishments highlighted in these pages reflect a simple but powerful truth: St. Bonaventure’s mission is brought to life each day by our people. When I reflect on the past year, what stands out most is how much of our work in HR began with listening to faculty, staff, and campus leaders, and then finding practical ways to respond. Human Resources has worked to strengthen every stage of the employee experience, from welcoming new colleagues and supporting professional growth to improving benefits, advancing employee well-being, and fostering a deeper sense of belonging. We also realigned our HR team and modernized our practices to provide more responsive, strategic support to faculty, staff, and University leadership, and to align the HR department's goals with the University’s strategic plan. This report captures more than activities and statistics. It represents thousands of conversations, collaborations, and moments of service across our campus. Each achievement was made possible through the trust, engagement, and partnership of the Bona community. I am grateful to Dawn Parisella, Katie Lowe, and Jill Resig for the care and energy they bring to this work every day. I am equally grateful to our faculty and staff for your honest feedback, partnership, and all you do for St. Bonaventure. With gratitude, Kyle Burnett Chief Human Resources Officer
Supporting the University through organizational change 175
New Employees Onboarded
Human Resources coordinated a comprehensive onboarding experience through personalized communications, HR orientation, and partnerships with departments across campus. By introducing new employees to the University's mission, culture, resources, and colleagues, HR helped ensure each new hire felt welcomed, supported, and connected to the Bona community from day one.
105
Employment Separations
Human Resources strengthened the employee transition experience by implementing standardized exit surveys and conducting exit interviews to better understand employees' experiences, identify trends, and inform continuous improvement efforts. In addition, HR developed and implemented a phased retirement program to provide faculty and staff with greater flexibility as they transition into retirement. This approach supports knowledge transfer, succession planning, and a seamless transition for both employees and the University.
Bona’s Belonging CONNECTING OUR PEOPLE Championed by our faculty and staff, Bona’s Belonging employee affinity groups foster meaningful connections across our campus through shared interests, experiences, and identities. These groups strengthen community, promote inclusion, encourage collaboration, and help create a culture where every member of the SBU community feels welcomed, valued, and empowered to thrive. Stay tuned for additional groups and upcoming events including Toastmasters and Employee Golf League Interested in joining a Bona Belonging group? Contact: hr@sbu.edu
2025-2026
HUMAN RESOURCES IMPACT REPORT
VOLUME REPORTING
Your Team Supporting SBU Every touchpoint no matter the size, helps us continue our vital work. Here’s a snapshot of how Human Resources coordinated with our Workforce throughout the 25- 26 AY.
4,883
1,276
EMAILS
PHONE CALLS
Answered in the HR General Inbox
Answered in the General HR Line
18
25
547
276
LEAVES OF ABSENCE
WORKPLACE INJURIES
RETIREMENT ADJUSTMENTS
BENEFIT CHANGES
FMLA, NY PFL, Disability, FCB
Cases Coordinated
Employee Initiated Contributions Updates
Life Events Benefit Elections
Professional Development and Leadership Support HR remained committed to building employee and supervisor capacity through professional development and training opportunities including supervisor trainings and search committee trainings. LinkedIn Learning continues to be made available to our campus community.
777.4
CE CREDITS
1225
COURSES COMPLETED
LISTENING, PLANNING & IMPROVING Focus groups conducted with the Consiliarium Group in 5 sessions for faculty & staff in October of 2025 to dive deeper how best to support our people initiated from Great Colleges to Work For (Spring 2025)
Supporting employee well-being remained a central priority. St. Bonaventure was recognized as a Spring 2025 Silver Bell Seal Recipient for Workplace Mental Health, with support for this initiative provided by Nicholas Kicior, Director of Counseling Services. In 2026, St. Bonaventure gained the credential for Mental Health America’s Gold Seal for Workplace Mental Health. This distinction reflects our commitment to creating a supportive, psychologically safe environment where employees can thrive. The Gold Bell Seal is awarded to organizations that meet high standards across workplace culture, benefits, compliance and wellness programs.
Partnership with Dr. Gregory Privitera, Professor of Psychology, to assess the employee population and identify actionable outcomes, presentation, review of our benefits & offerings based on the insights provided in focus groups. To foster connection and belonging across campus, employees formed and led the creation of Bona's Belonging Groups. These opportunities encourage meaningful relationships, personal and professional growth, and a stronger sense of community among colleagues.
WORKPLACE CULTURE FILLED WITH ENGAGEMENT, CAMARADERIE, AND THE BONAVENTURE SPIRIT
Reilly the Wolf leads a festive recognition tour, delivering anniversary packets celebrating milestone years of service.
Campus Care Champions Throughout the month of August, SBU employees invested 273 hours in training and professional development through the Certified Campus Care Champion pilot program. Employees participated in nationally recognized training opportunities including American Heart Association Heartsaver® CPR/AED, American Heart Association First Aid, and Mental Health First Aid® from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.
Special recognition and thanks go to Nicholas Kicior, Monica Thomas, Nicole Henderson and Suzanne Soltysik for sharing their expertise and for their coordination, preparation, and presentation of the in-person training sessions.
Introducing and Advancing Several Employee Support Initiatives • Launch of Employee Navigator, a platform designed to improve benefits support & enhance the open enrollment experience • On site & Virtual Open enrollment sessions to support transition.
From Top Clockwise: Charles Lute celebrating 40 year with SBU Matrecia James celebrating 10 years Rich Lee celebrating 15 years, with a special note that his favorite SBU memory is meeting his wife, Ann, also pictured
• 1:1 support options available from: TIAA, Consiliarium Group, Meritain and TrueScripts