Join OIT as we dive deep into all Microsoft offers with in-person and virtual workshops and events presented by the Microsoft team and campus experts.
We are thrilled to launch our first-ever Microsoft Week, a celebration of our incredible partnership with Microsoft. All students, faculty, and staff have access to free Microsoft 365 subscriptions—a powerful suite of tools to boost your productivity, creativity, and collaboration. Join us for a week of workshops, giveaways, and exciting opportunities to learn how Microsoft 365 can transform your academic and professional journey. Don't miss out on this chance to elevate your skills and connect with the latest in tech!
Microsoft Week Event Line-Up
Monday - Microsoft Hits and Communication & Collaboration Tools
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM | 3104 UA Student Center/Online | “What’s in the Waffle” General M365 Overview
The Microsoft Team will be kicking off the week with "What's in the Waffle," an engaging and informative session exploring the wide variety of tools and features within Microsoft 365. From productivity apps like Teams, Outlook, and OneDrive to collaboration tools like SharePoint, Loop, and Planner, we'll give you a broad overview of the entire M365 ecosystem. Whether you're a beginner or looking to expand your knowledge, this session will help you unlock the full potential of the Microsoft waffle menu. Perfect for anyone looking to enhance their workflow and collaboration across campus!
9:45 AM – 10:45 AM | 3104 UA Student Center/Online | Microsoft Copilot Basics
Discover the future of productivity with Microsoft Copilot! In this session, Microsoft Educators provide a comprehensive introduction to Microsoft Copilot, the AI-powered assistant integrated into Microsoft 365. Learn how Copilot can help you work smarter by automating repetitive tasks, generating insights from data, enhancing content creation, and streamlining workflows across apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams. Whether you're new to AI tools or looking to optimize your daily operations, this session will equip you with the knowledge to get the most out of Microsoft Copilot.
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | 3104 UA Student Center/Online | Microsoft Teams: Advanced Collaboration (Top 10 New Features)
Take your teamwork to the next level with the latest updates in Microsoft Teams! In this advanced session, the Microsoft Team will dive into the top 10 new features that enhance collaboration and communication within Teams. From improved meeting experiences and task automation to advanced integrations and security enhancements, you'll learn how to leverage these powerful tools to boost productivity and streamline teamwork. Whether you're managing projects, hosting virtual meetings, or collaborating across departments, this session will give you the edge to master the newest capabilities in Teams.
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM | Online Only | Microsoft Bookings: Streamlining Appointment Scheduling
Simplify the way you manage appointments with Microsoft Bookings! In this session, you'll learn how to streamline scheduling for your team or department, offering a user-friendly experience for both staff and clients. The Microsoft Team will cover how to set up your booking page, manage availability, integrate with Outlook calendars, and customize services to fit your needs. Whether you’re coordinating meetings, office hours, or service appointments, Microsoft Bookings can help you save time and reduce scheduling headaches. Perfect for anyone looking to enhance their workflow and customer service experience!
2:45 PM – 3:45 PM | Online Only | Microsoft Loop: Collaboration Reimagined
Get ready to transform the way you work together with Microsoft Loop! In this session, we’ll introduce you to Loop, the powerful tool designed to revolutionize collaboration in the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. Loop allows teams to co-create content in real-time across apps like Teams, Outlook, Word, and more, keeping everything in sync and enhancing teamwork. Learn how to use Loop components and workspaces to share dynamic content that updates automatically, enabling seamless collaboration from anywhere. Whether you're brainstorming, tracking progress, or building documents together, Microsoft Loop reimagines how teams work in a connected, flexible way.
Tuesday - Content & File Management
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM | 3107 UA Student Center/Online | OneDrive: File Storage & Sharing Best Practices
Unlock the full potential of Microsoft OneDrive with this session on file storage and sharing best practices! Learn how to efficiently organize, store, and manage your files in the cloud while maintaining security and control over access. We’ll cover tips on sharing files and folders both within and outside your organization, version history, collaborative editing, and syncing across devices. Whether you're new to OneDrive or looking to enhance your file management, this session will equip you with the knowledge to streamline your workflow and collaborate seamlessly in a secure environment.
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM | 3107 UA Student Center/Online | Outlook & Calendar: Power User Tips
Become an Outlook and Calendar power user with this advanced session designed to help you manage your inbox and schedule like a pro! We’ll explore tips and tricks to optimize your email organization, automate tasks, and customize your inbox for maximum efficiency. Additionally, you'll learn advanced calendar features for scheduling, time management, and coordinating meetings with ease. From setting up rules and filters to using shared calendars and time-saving shortcuts, this session is perfect for anyone looking to boost productivity and master Outlook’s full potential!
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Online Only | Planner: Effective Task Management
Master task management with Microsoft Planner! In this session, you'll learn how to efficiently organize and track tasks for yourself and your team using Planner's intuitive boards, buckets, and charts. Discover how to create, assign, and prioritize tasks, set due dates, and monitor progress with visual insights. Whether you’re managing a small project or coordinating a team, Planner can help you stay on top of your tasks and deadlines. This session is perfect for anyone looking to improve team collaboration and streamline task management across projects.
2:15 PM - 3:15 PM | Online Only | SharePoint: Enhancing Team Communication
Boost team communication and collaboration with Microsoft SharePoint! This session will guide you through the tools and features that make SharePoint an essential platform for sharing information, organizing resources, and working together seamlessly. Learn how to create and manage team sites, share files and updates, and integrate SharePoint with other Microsoft 365 apps like Teams and OneDrive. Whether you’re building a communication hub for your department or streamlining document management, this session will show you how SharePoint can enhance collaboration and keep everyone connected.
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM | Online Only | UA in Action: How the Division of Strategic Communications Leverages Microsoft Teams
Get an inside look at how the Division of Strategic Communications (DSC) at the University of Alabama uses Microsoft Teams to enhance collaboration and streamline communication across departments. DSC's AVP Meagan Bennett will walk you through real-world examples of how Teams is integrated into their daily workflow, taking full advantage of its seamless connections with other Microsoft 365 tools like SharePoint, OneDrive, and Outlook. Whether you're looking to improve team coordination or inspire your department to adopt Teams as a collaboration and communication tool, this showcase will highlight the best practices and benefits of utilizing the full Microsoft suite in a university setting.
Wednesday - Automations & Efficiency
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM | Online Only | Power Automate: Automating Workflows
Streamline your daily tasks and improve efficiency with Power Automate! This session will introduce you to the power of automating workflows across Microsoft 365 apps and beyond. Learn how to create automated processes for repetitive tasks like data collection, approvals, notifications, and more, all without writing a single line of code. We'll cover real-world examples of how Power Automate can enhance productivity, allowing you to focus on higher-value work. Whether you're a beginner or looking to deepen your automation skills, this session will empower you to automate workflows and save time across your organization.
9:45 AM - 10:45 AM | Online Only | Power Apps: Building Custom Business Solutions
Transform your ideas into reality with Microsoft Power Apps! In this session, you'll learn how to create custom business applications tailored to your specific needs without requiring extensive coding skills. Discover the various types of apps you can build, from simple forms to complex data-driven applications, all while integrating seamlessly with other Microsoft 365 tools and external data sources. We'll guide you through the process of app design, development, and deployment, showcasing best practices and real-world examples. Whether you’re looking to improve processes, enhance data collection, or solve unique business challenges, this session will equip you with the tools to build impactful solutions using Power Apps.
Catered Sessions (Taco Mama)
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | 3107 UA Student Center/Online | Microsoft Copilot: AI-Powered Assistance
Experience the future of productivity with Microsoft Copilot! This session will introduce you to Copilot, the AI-powered assistant designed to enhance your workflow across Microsoft 365 applications. Learn how Copilot can help you draft documents, generate data insights, create presentations, and automate routine tasks, all while leveraging the power of artificial intelligence. We’ll showcase practical examples of how Copilot can boost your productivity, streamline collaboration, and provide intelligent suggestions tailored to your work. Whether you’re new to AI tools or looking to maximize their potential, this session will empower you to harness the capabilities of Microsoft Copilot for greater efficiency and creativity.
12:15 PM - 1:15 PM | 3107 UA Student Center/Online | Microsoft Copilot: Effective Prompting Techniques
Unlock the full potential of Microsoft Copilot with our session on effective prompting techniques! Learn how to craft precise and actionable prompts that guide Copilot to generate the most relevant and helpful responses tailored to your needs. We’ll explore various strategies for engaging with Copilot across different Microsoft 365 applications, including Word, Excel, and Teams. Discover best practices for formulating questions, providing context, and refining results to enhance productivity and creativity. This session is ideal for anyone looking to maximize their use of AI in their daily tasks and improve collaboration through effective communication with Microsoft Copilot.
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Online Only | OneNote: Organizing Notes and Ideas
Get organized and boost your productivity with Microsoft OneNote! In this session, we’ll explore how to effectively use OneNote to capture, organize, and manage your notes and ideas. Learn how to create notebooks, sections, and pages to keep your information structured and easily accessible. We’ll cover features like tagging, drawing, audio notes, and collaboration tools that make OneNote a versatile platform for students, professionals, and teams alike. Whether you're taking lecture notes, brainstorming ideas, or managing projects, this session will provide you with practical tips and techniques to make the most of OneNote's capabilities.
Thursday - Advanced Data & Reporting Tools
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM | Online Only | Excel: Advanced Data Analysis
Dive deep into data with our session on advanced data analysis in Microsoft Excel! This workshop is designed for users who want to elevate their Excel skills by exploring powerful tools and techniques for analyzing complex datasets. We’ll cover advanced formulas, pivot tables, and data visualization techniques to help you uncover insights and make data-driven decisions. Additionally, you'll learn about the use of Power Query for data transformation and the basics of using Power Pivot for managing large datasets. Whether you’re preparing reports, conducting research, or analyzing trends, this session will equip you with the knowledge to harness Excel’s full potential for advanced data analysis.
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM | Online Only | Microsoft SharePoint: Designing Intranet Sites
Transform your organization’s internal communications with our session on designing effective intranet sites using Microsoft SharePoint! In this workshop, you’ll learn best practices for creating user-friendly, engaging intranet sites that foster collaboration and information sharing. We’ll cover essential design principles, site navigation, and how to utilize SharePoint’s web parts to build dynamic content pages. Explore ways to integrate important resources, announcements, and team collaboration tools to enhance employee engagement. Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to improve an existing intranet, this session will provide you with the insights and skills needed to create a compelling and functional SharePoint intranet site.
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Online Only | Microsoft Fabric: Data Integration for Power BI Reporting
Join us for a hands-on workshop with Clay Davis and his team as they demonstrate the power of Microsoft Fabric for seamless data integration with Power BI. Learn how to connect and unify your data from various sources, enabling rich, interactive Power BI reports that drive insights and decision-making. This session will showcase the capabilities of Microsoft Fabric in streamlining data management, ensuring data accuracy, and simplifying the reporting process. Perfect for data professionals, analysts, and anyone looking to enhance their reporting workflows with advanced data integration techniques.
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Online Only | Mastering Power BI: Data Insights and Secure Practices
Unleash the potential of your data with Microsoft Power BI in this session that covers how to connect to multiple data resources, visualize data, and share insights across your organization. We’ll also dive into best practices for using Power BI securely, including managing permissions, controlling access, and ensuring data compliance. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced user, this session will provide the tools you need to harness Power BI’s capabilities while safeguarding your data.
Friday - it forum meeting
2:30 PM - 4:30 PM | In-Person/Online | How to Harness the Power of O365 Integration & OIT Presentation on Preferred Processes
Unlock the full potential of your Microsoft 365 experience by learning how to harness the power of O365 integration! In this session, we’ll explore how various Microsoft 365 applications work together to enhance productivity and streamline workflows. Discover best practices for integrating tools like Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, Outlook, and Planner to create a cohesive and efficient work environment. We’ll cover practical examples of cross-application collaboration, data sharing, and automation using Power Automate. Whether you're new to Microsoft 365 or looking to optimize your existing setup, this session will empower you to leverage O365 integration for improved teamwork and productivity across your organization.