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UHR is committed to building a culture where employees can grow, lead, and thrive. Through leadership programs, professional development opportunities, and meaningful education benefits, Auburn invests in the people who make the university strong.
This commitment is reflected in several key initiatives, including Aspire Auburn, ElevatED, the annual Everyday Excellence conference, and robust education benefits for employees and their dependents. Together, these efforts support lifelong learning and strengthen Auburn’s workforce.
Aspire Auburn
Aspire Auburn provides a leadership development experience for employees who want to expand their influence and strengthen their professional skills. The program is designed for individuals across many roles and focuses on building essential competencies such as communication, collaboration, strategic thinking, and self‑awareness.
Aspire Auburn includes the following tracks:
- Leading Self – Open to any employee who wants to grow as a leader. Participants complete a series of self‑paced courses that help them lead with purpose and authenticity.
- Leading People – Designed for supervisors, managers, and above. This track builds skills in communication, team collaboration, and supporting employee growth.
- Leading Teams – Created for Directors, Department Chairs, and above. It helps leaders guide their teams and align departmental goals with the university’s strategic priorities.
All programs are offered through HR Development. A fourth track, Leading the Organization, is currently being developed for senior leaders.
ElevatED
ElevatED is Auburn’s Employee Education Center, powered by Adobe. It gives employees a modern, accessible way to learn and grow professionally. Through ElevatED, employees can:
- Enroll in and track classroom, virtual, and self‑paced training
- Receive course recommendations based on their goals
- Access their learning transcript
- Use a platform with more accessible content and request accommodations as needed
Supervisors can also enroll their employees in training opportunities.
In 2025, the number of self‑paced courses available on demand increased from 88 to 112, with many of those courses previously taught only in person.
Everyday Excellence conference
The annual Everyday Excellence conference (formerly the HR Conference) has become a signature event that brings employees together to learn, collaborate, and explore emerging trends in HR, leadership, and technology. The conference features keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and interactive workshops.
Beyond the learning opportunities, the event helps employees connect with colleagues from across campus, share best practices, and gain new perspectives they can bring back to their teams. The conference highlights UHR’s role as a strategic partner in supporting Auburn’s people and advancing the university’s mission.
Education Benefits
Auburn’s commitment to growth extends beyond professional development programs. The university’s employee and dependent education benefits make higher education more accessible for families across campus.
Employees can pursue undergraduate or graduate coursework to advance their careers, explore new fields, or achieve personal goals. Dependents also benefit from tuition assistance that opens doors to academic opportunities.
By offering these benefits, Auburn empowers employees and their families to pursue learning that enriches both their personal and professional futures.
