Professional Development Design: Creating a Framework to Invest in Employees

Often in Student Affairs, we are so busy in the work of student support and development that we neglect our own professional development and learning. Research and scholarly literature on higher education, as well as learning and development, have shown the importance of investing in employee skills and growth. Student Affairs professionals have a great deal to gain and contribute to the field to nurture one's own career as well as their colleagues' career goals!

This three-part NASPA live briefing series will explore a holistic approach to empowering employees through development, learning, and mentorship. The presenters will offer a professional development framework that maximizes the employee experience to have a systemic impact on well-being, navigating the workplace, as well as supporting employees from different standpoints. 

This professional development framework originated as a competency-based experience for various cohort/classifications of staff in the unit of Housing and Residence Life at George Mason University. Utilizing the ACUHO-I professional competencies, the program architects developed an experience unique to those in specific positions (graduate students, entry-level, mid-managers). Additional focus areas were also incorporated as priorities for professional themes within units for the academic year. All competency and themes map up to the divisional strategic plan goal for organizational excellence. 

This series presents a fantastic opportunity to develop and inform your organization's professional development strategy in the new year! Register for individual sessions or the entire three-part series at a discounted rate!

Friday, January 22, 2021 | 1:00-2:00 pm (ET)

In this session, the presenters will discuss the two pillars rooted in professional development design: buy-in and data. From identifying key stakeholders to implementing employee focus groups, feedback was used in a feminist methods approach to inform their framework. The presenters will invite attendees to learn how to prepare for their own professional development design through identifying key stakeholders, creating buy-in, and maximizing data. 

Friday, January 29, 2021 | 1:00-2:00 pm (ET)

In this session, the presenters will discuss how to use employee feedback and experiences to design a cohort focused framework for professional development. They will share their approach to the development of the session design, building on all inputs and research, to create and implement the learning-focused, cohort-based sessions that comprise an overarching professional development program. The presenters will invite attendees to learn how to empower the experiences of employees in the workplace and launch a professional development framework suited for their department's specific needs. 

Register by January 12, 2021 for the entire three-part series at a discounted rate of $59 for NASPA members and $159 for non-members.

Session III: Register Here

NASPA individual members and Voting Delegates have access to member pricing for all NASPA events. If you are not a NASPA individual member, please visit our membership section to learn more about membership types and benefits. In many cases, an annual NASPA membership plus the event member registration fee are still less than the event non-member registration fee. We hope you’ll consider joining today!