The Center for Latin American Studies-sponsored Interdisciplinary Research Group on Dictatorships, Illiberal Democracies, and Democratic Transitions in Latin America will present “A Panorama of the American Hemisphere: U.S.-Latin American Relations and Security in Latin America” on Wednesday, January 27 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Learning Center (LC), room 140. Panelists will include Eduardo Gamarra, a professor at Florida International University and former director of that school’s Latin American and Caribbean Center; Susan Kaufman Purcell, director of the University of Miami’s Center for Hemispheric Policy at University of Miami; and Bruce Bagley, professor and chair of UM’s Department of International Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences. Magdalena Defort, codirector of the Interdisciplinary Research Group on Dictatorships, Illiberal Democracies, and Democratic Transitions in Latin America, will moderate.

In today’s modern workplace, office etiquette is more important than ever. How you present yourself makes as big an impression as your office skills. As part of an Audio Conference Lunch and Learn Series, the Professional Development and Training Office is offering the audio conference Etiquette for Today’s Office. Discover what is and isn’t appropriate for business now, how to handle difficult people with tact and finesse, how to avoid common dining etiquette faux pas, and the do’s and don’ts of effective communication. To register for the session, visit ULearn.miami.edu and follow the instructions to log on. For more information, call 305-243-3090 or 305-284-5110. This is a brown-bag lunch and learn.

The course takes place on Wednesday, January 27 from 12 to 1:30 p.m. at the Professional Development and Training Office, Miller School campus, Dominion Parking Garage, Suite 155.

This seminar, sponsored by the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP), provides participants with the tools to define attainable financial goals and manage cash more effectively to secure a viable financial future. Presenter Bret Chernow, a chartered retirement planning counselor, is a senior financial advisor with Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. and a member of the University of Miami Office of Planned Giving Broward County Advisory Board. Bennie Blades, a UM alumnus, Ring of Honor member, and University of Miami Office of Planned Giving Broward County Advisory Board member, will also speak about his own personal money management experience. A UM Benefits representative will be in attendance to answer questions. Participants will:

• Examine the impact of inflation, taxes, and portfolio performance on individual goals
• Learn ways to align investing strategies with financial goals
• Review the importance of protection planning and the dangers of procrastination

Rosenstiel School campus: Tuesday, January 26 from 12 to 1 p.m. in the Library, Map and Chart Room.

Coral Gables campus: Wednesday, January 27 from 12 to 1 p.m. in the University Center, Flamingo Ballroom D.

Miller School campus: Thursday, January 28 from 12 to 1 p.m. in the Dominion Parking Garage, Room 155.

To register, go to http://ULearn.miami.edu. For help with ULearn, call the Professional Development and Training Office at 305-284-5110. Mac users: Please call the FSAP office at 305-284-6604 to register by phone.

The Sponsored Programs Education Workshop is a required institutional program for all key personnel listed on proposals. This workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, January 27 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the Miller School campus, Dominion Towers, 12th floor conference room.

The goal is to educate key personnel and administrators about the fiscal and compliance issues of pre- and post-award management. The workshop will cover the most recent information on the grant process, from finding funding opportunities to closing an account. The workshop will also review the PI’s role and responsibility for administering sponsored projects, explain established policies and procedures, and provide an overview of the central support services available to the investigator. The discussion will focus primarily on federal grants.

Register for the workshop through ULearn. For additional information, please contact the Office of Research Education and Training Team at [email protected] or 305-243-5092.

Medical IT has partnered with Professional Development and Training Office (PDTO) to offer customized blended training in MS Office. The training combines adaptive self-paced modules with face-to-face practice labs. Learners’ ability to work only on the areas in which they need assistance, rather than taking the full course, makes the training a more customized approach to learning. Log in to Ulearn at ulearn.miami.edu to register for the MS Office Productivity Orientation to learn more and to start today to improve your skills in MS Word, Outlook, PowerPoint and Excel. The productivity orientation session will be held on Wednesday, January 27 at the Professional Development and Training Office (PDTO), Dominion Parking Garage, suite 155, from 9 to 10 a.m.