October 3, 2012
President supports professional development with fund
Submitted by Communications and Marketing
Kansas State University nonfaculty employees now have the opportunity to apply for funds for professional development.
Supported by the office of the president, qualified employees may apply for a reimbursement of 50 percent of expenses -- up to $500 -- for professional development opportunities. The application deadlines are Oct. 15 and March 15. Priority will be given to applicants who best describe the benefit to the employee and their respective department or unit as well as the ability of the employee’s department or unit to provide the remaining 50 percent of the reimbursement.
"The idea for creating the fund came from a survey of K-State women conducted by the President's Commission on the Status of Women and Women of K-State," said Stephanie Jacques, commission chair. "All employees – men and women – are able to apply for this wonderful opportunity graciously provided by President Kirk Schulz."
The professional development fund will provide support – as funding allows – for development opportunities not available through university-sponsored programs such as MindLeaders, an online professional development and training program through the Division of Human Resources.
K-State's MindLeaders page offers hundreds of online courses on various topics such as, computer software programs, business ethics, communications and management. Participants may complete as many of the MindLeaders modules as they wish over the course of one year for less than $17 per person.
"Since MindLeaders is such an excellent resource, we want to encourage those interested in expanding their professional skills to explore courses through that program first before applying for the president's professional development fund," Jacques said.
Applications for the development fund can be found on the President's Commission on the Status of Women's website. A subcommittee within the commission has been selected to review applications.