Professional Development

The Annual Professional Development Series sessions are held to advance work on strategic priorities presented at the 2023 symposium. Outlook invitations will be sent for these sessions.  

ASPT Series

• Leading a D/SFSC

  September 13, 2023, 3:30-4:30 p.m., Stevenson 401
  

  Session Description:

  Leading a Faculty Status Committee requires a level head, a keen eye, and an open mind. It also requires an attention to equity and detail, as well as the ability to guide sometimes challenging discussions of faculty performance and behavior. This session will help D/SFSC chairs understand the tools that they can use to lead with confidence, including when they may disagree with the other members of the committee.

  Learning Outcomes:

  • Select appropriate approaches to discuss challenging situations
  • Develop familiarity with ISU ASPT policies concerning the role of the D/SFSC chair
  • Recommend apt next steps for challenging performance-related situations

  Presenters: Craig Gatto, Associate Vice President for Academic Administration, and Susan Hildebrandt, Special Assistant to the Provost

  To learn more: NCFDD Core Curriculum Skill #9: How to Engage in Healthy Conflict
  Sign up for a free membership to the NCFDD

• Reviewing Faculty Materials

  October 11, 2023, 3:00-4:30 p.m., Stevenson 401
  October 16, 2023, 1:30-3:00 p.m., Stevenson 401

  Session Description:

  Reviewing materials submitted by faculty is a critical role of any Faculty Status Committee (FSC). Whether it’s for annual review, 3-year pre-tenure review, tenure, promotion, or 5-year post-tenure review, an FSC member needs to put aside any biases and determine with the other FSC members whether each faculty member has met the criteria laid out in ASPT policies. With equity at the center, this session will familiarize attendees with revisions to Appendix 2 of ISU ASPT policies and present tools to for FSCs to equitably review faculty materials, no matter the purpose of the materials submitted. 

  Learning Outcomes:

  • Recall changes to ISU ASPT policies related to civic engagement
  • Analyze faculty materials with an eye toward equity in service commitments
  • Recommend actions for local FSCs that encourage increased equity as they review faculty materials

  Presenters: Craig Gatto, Associate Vice President for Academic Administration; Susan Hildebrandt, Special Assistant to the Provost; Mayuko Nakamura, Assistant Director for Assessment and Equitable Pedagogy in the Center for Integrated Professional Development ; Katy Strzepek, Director of the Center for Civic Engagement
  
  To learn more:

  Equity-Minded Faculty Workloads: What We Can and Should Do Now
  
  Equity-Minded Faculty Workloads: Worksheet Booklet

  Excellence in Community Engagement & Community-Engaged Scholarship: Honoring the Mosaic of Talents and the Stewarding of the Standards of High Quality Community-Engaged Scholarship

  The Guide: Documenting, Evaluating and Recognizing Engaged Scholarship

• Leading a D/SFSC: Revising ASPT Policies (For Chairs & Directors)

  March 8, 2024, 3:00-4:30 p.m., Stevenson 401
  

  Presenters: Craig Gatto, Associate Vice President for Academic Administration, and Susan Hildebrandt, Special Assistant to the Provost

Chairs/Directors Staff Series

• Growing and Supporting Academic Staff: Idea Swap

  November 3, 2023, 3:30-4:30 p.m., SFHB 357
  

  Session Description:

  As critical members of our academic communities, staff frequently hold the institutional knowledge and familiarity with processes that keep units running. Unit leaders, however, rarely enter their roles with previous staff management or leadership experience. Join us to exchange ideas about how to build our skillsets around managing and developing academic staff, while being more proactive about how to hire and retain them.

  Learning Outcomes:

  • Review onboarding and recognition structures to support staff retention from the outset
  • List ways to encourage staff in effective career growth and professional development conversations
  • Align unit-level needs with staff skills and aspirations

  Presenters: Yojanna Cuenca-Carlino, Chair of the Department of Special Education and Sue Hildebrandt, Special Assistant to the Provost

• Staff Position Classifications and Advancement Possibilities in the HR System

  December 7, 2023, 9:30-10:30 a.m., STV 401
  

  Session Description:

  University staff members’ positions fall into different classifications depending upon their relationship to the institution. For example, some positions in the civil service system are represented by unions, while others are not. This session will provide an overview of various staff classifications in the campus community and discuss when an examination of staff classifications and positions is in order.  This examination may occur, for example, with the goal of reclassifying staff positions to align them with current duties or in the event that staff members demonstrate sustained excellence on the job. This session will facilitate a chair or director’s ability to work with Human Resources to benchmark jobs, understand potential career paths for staff, and encourage staff equity across campus.  

  Learning Outcomes:

  • Understand specific staff classifications
  • Distinguish between in-classification progression versus reclassification of an existing staff position 
  • Build skills to effectively manage staff transitions by assessing staff job duties and strategically re-designing or restructuring positions to address current unit needs
  • Develop a knowledge of how to consider and submit for a staff member's promotion 

  Presenters: Janice Bonneville, Associate Vice President, Human Resources; Rachel Bowden, Director, School of Biological Sciences; Joan Brehm, Department Chair, Sociology and Anthropology; Breanna Crippen, Civil Service Employment Consultant, Human Resources; Colette Homan, Director, Civil Service/Student Employment & Employee Relations, Human Resources
  
  To learn more: Staff Success Survey Analysis  

• Performance Management: Plan for Success

  January 31, 2024, 9:30-11:00 a.m., STV 401
  

  Session Description:

  It’s more than an annual performance appraisal. Performance Management begins by connecting with an employee where they are now and identifying what steps are required to guide them to where they need to be. In this session we will discuss the importance of setting expectations based on individual responsibilities and how planning ahead with specific goals in mind drives the process. Participants will be introduced to the importance of coaching, monitoring, and rewarding for successful outcomes. The intended audience for this session is individuals in managerial or supervisory roles who want to actively participate and partner with employees to improve overall work performance. 

  Learning Outcomes:

  • Analyze the components of performance management beyond appraisals to emphasize employee connection, clear expectations, and goal-driven planning 
  • Apply skills in guiding and monitoring performance, identifying improvement areas, and delivering constructive feedback 
  • Create and implement motivating rewards systems to foster a positive work environment that encourages successful outcomes 

  Presenter: Anglie Doolin, Assistant Director of Labor Relations & Academic Employee Relations, Human Resources
  
  To learn more: LinkedIn Learning Foundations of Performance Management (free to ISU employees) 

Interdivisional Series

• Navigating Crises as an Employee and as a Human Being

  September 18, 2023, 1:30-2:30 p.m., Stevenson 401
  

  Session Description:

  In the blink of an eye, you may find yourself struggling with what to say during a crisis or tragedy that impacts a student, faculty or staff member from your unit. What should you do and what can you say? Learn how to respond from both a human and legal standpoint, based on relevant university procedures, and who point persons are that carry out important tasks like working with the family and offering support systems. Explore how to communicate information to the unit, as appropriate, as well as next steps after the immediate crisis has passed.

  Learning Outcomes:

  • Understand ISU’s formal policy regarding student death notification
  • Discover the roles and responsibilities of crisis responders on campus so that one may seek their recommendations during and after a crisis
  • Prepare to respond to/recover from a tragedy

  Presenters: Katy Killian, Chief of Staff & Board Liaison; Andy Morgan, Assistant Vice President & Dean of Students; Kelly Walker, Director of Benefit Services, Human Resources
  
  To learn more: Sanger, C. S. (Oct. 24, 2017). What to Say after a Student Dies. Chronicle of Higher Education (free to ISU employees and students).

• Helping Faculty and Staff Support Students

  November 27, 2023, 2-3:30 p.m., Stevenson 401
  

  Session Description:

  The challenges are many for university students since COVID. Faculty and staff are on the front lines of helping students find resources when they encounter those challenges, but they may not always be equipped to help or know what supports are available. Come learn about some of the tools that students can find on campus from the people who offer them. Then take that information back to your unit to let others know how to support students by directing them to the services available .  

  Learning Outcomes:

  • Name resources available to students outside of Academic Affairs
  • Compare supports from Academic Affairs to those available from other divisions
  • Discover how supports can build on one another to provide wrap-around services

  Presenters: Stacy Parton, Staff Counselor in Student Counseling Services; Dawn Pote, Executive Director of Well-Being and Recreation; Ashley Pritts, Assistant Director and Deputy Title IX Coordinator in Office of Equal Opportunity and Access (OEOA); Donald Reed, Associate Dean of Students; Aaron Woodruff, ISU Police Chief

  To learn more: Fawcett, E. (Nov. 1, 2022). The Pandemic Generation Goes to College. It Has Not Been Easy. New York Times ( free to ISU employees and students )  

• Encouraging Faculty and Staff Self-Care

  February 14, 2024, 10:00-11:00 a.m., Stevenson 401
  

  Session Description:

  The session will underscore the importance of recognizing and addressing the well-being of university faculty and staff, emphasizing that self-care is not only a personal responsibility but also a key factor in sustaining a healthy and productive academic environment. Attendees will learn about the various resources available to faculty and staff on campus and understand how practicing self-care can positively impact job satisfaction, productivity, and overall mental health. Tools for promoting self-care within departments will be shared, empowering chairs to foster a culture that values the holistic well-being of their team members. By the end of the session, participants will be equipped with tools to actively support and encourage self-care practices among faculty and staff, contributing to a more resilient and thriving university community. 

  Learning Outcomes:

  • Recognize the significance of self-care for faculty and staff in sustaining a healthy environment 
  • Identify tools available on campus to support faculty and staff self-care and well-being 
  • Develop strategies to foster a departmental culture that values and encourages self-care practices 

  Presenters: Nikki Brauer, Director of Health Promotion and Wellness; Kelly Walker, Director of Benefits Services, Human Resources
  
  To learn more: 3.1.36 Wellness Participation, They Need Us to Be Well. The Chronicle of Higher Education (free to ISU employees and students). 

• Fostering a(n Even More) Positive Culture in Your Unit

  May 3, 2024, 1:00-2:00 p.m., Stevenson 401
  

  Session Description:

  Discover strategies to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment within your department/school. This session will explore ways to cultivate a sense of belonging for students, staff, and faculty. Learn how to build community, promote equity, and ensure everyone feels valued and respected. 

  Learning Outcomes:

  • Identify key elements that contribute to a sense of belonging within an academic unit
  • Assess current practices within your unit that may either promote or hinder a sense of belonging
  • Develop an action plan with specific strategies to enhance belonging for students, staff, and faculty within your unit

  Presenter: Diane Zosky
  
  To learn more: "The Leader as Healer" by Antoinette Allen (available online through Milner Library)

New Administrators' Lunch Series

• Enrollment Management

  October 17, 2023, 11:30 a.m. -1:00 p.m., Stevenson 401
  Advanced registration is required 

  Session Description:

  As an institution, we have become increasingly reliant on enrollment as the percentage of state funding remains under 15% of our operating costs. Learn about our enrollment history, our current challenges, and our future goals. Discuss the ways in which your area can help with recruitment and retention moving forward.
  

  Learning Outcomes:

  • Explain why enrollment is critical to ISU and our programs
  • Identify ways that individual programs can increase enrollment
  • Prioritize efforts to attract students to programs

  Presenter: Jana Albrecht, Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management
  
  To learn more: College Enrollments: Cliffs, Shifts, and Lifts
  Using Data to Inform Enrollment Management | by Will Miller | Age of Awareness | Medium

• Developing New and Engaging Programs 

  December 11, 2023, 11:30 a.m. -1:00 p.m., Stevenson 401
  Advanced registration is required 

  Session Description:

  Current and prospective students are looking for engaging programs that will help them with the challenges of the 21^st century. Find out how to create programs that will attract graduate and undergraduate students to ISU, while thinking through the necessary financial, enrollment, and curricular implications.

  Learning Outcomes:

  • Identify the characteristics of programs of interest to today’s students
  • Discover what new programs have been recently created at ISU
  • Discuss the possibilities of future programs on campus

  Presenters: J. Cooper Cutting, Assistant Vice President for Academic Administration and Noelle Selkow, Director of the Graduate School
  
  To learn more: Creating New Opportunites for Students

• Reviewing Data Availability from Enterprise Data and Analytics

  February 26, 2024, 11:30 a.m. -1:00 p.m., Stevenson 401
  

  Session Description:

  Access and use of data throughout the University is a necessity for operational improvements and student success initiatives. We will review the various sources of data, where it is available, and how to request it. In addition, we will discuss how data is currently being used and consider cases for how it could be used. 
  

  Learning Outcomes:

  • Identify how/where data can be accessed    
  • Discover tools available to retrieve and analyze data    
  • Discuss support for data analytics and reporting

  Presenter: Rachel Hart, Director for Enterprise Data Analytics
  
  

• What I Wish I Knew as a New Administrator

  April 18, 2024, 11:30 a.m. -1:00 p.m., Stevenson 401
  

  Session Description:

  Build your leadership toolkit and gain firsthand insights from seasoned chairs with up to five years of experience as they share their insights for leading effectively. This interactive session will offer practical tips and address common challenges faced by those early in their leadership journey. 

  Learning Outcomes:

  • Analyze common challenges faced by new administrators and potential solutions derived from the panelists' experiences
  • Evaluate different leadership styles presented by the panelists and determine which approaches might best align with your personal strengths
  • Apply communication strategies shared by the panelists to effectively address a potential conflict or misalignment within your team

  Presenters: Kevin Ahlgrim, Chair of Finance, Insurance and Law; Ann Haugo, Director of Theatre and Dance; Julie Lynd, Chair of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures; Marla Reese-Weber, Chair of Family and Consumer Sciences

  To learn more: Admin 101 series by David D. Perlmutter in the Chronicle of Higher Education (free to ISU employees and students); How to Chair a Department  by Kevin Dettmar (available in hard copy and online through Milner Library)

Dan Elkins, Associate Vice President for Academic Fiscal Management, will be hosting a monthly Budgeting Professional Development Series throughout the year. The purpose of these sessions is to enhance the budgeting knowledge and skills of Chairs and Directors to make informed data-based planning decisions, as well as to provide an important opportunity to communicate/discuss any challenging fiscal issues that Chairs and Directors may be facing at the time. Outlook invitations will be sent for these sessions. Please see the list of dates below for 2023-2024:

• September 29, 2023

  11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

• October 23, 2023

  11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

• November 14, 2023

  11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

• February 22, 2024

  11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

• March 26, 2024

  11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

• April 22, 2024

  11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

SU has long been a partner with APLU’s Powered by Publics (PxP), an initiative to address retention and graduation. As part of the PxP work, Illinois State has the opportunity to participate in the Data Literacy Institute (DLI) lead by the Association for Institutional Research.

A cohort of 20 individuals from across the institution, including faculty, advisors, administrators, student affairs, and other staff directly involved with student learning, development, or support will engage in a 2-semester learning experience where participants learn to collect, analyze, interpret, communicate, and make actionable data related to a group determined student success problem.

Teams of 4-5 will identify a student success issue and engage in facilitated workshops and hands-on work to understand the problem using data analysis and use data informed decision making. Sample problems from other PxP universities include: reducing student loan debt; impact of early alerts on high DFWI courses; success and retention of male students of color; and planned vs actual course load.

The Institute is comprised of 2 semesters, each 3 months in length. Every month offers a different section of DLI content and includes approximately 20 hours of work: 4 hours of webinars, 8 hours of virtual seminars, and 8 hours of independent/group work. Participants will begin by learning the basics of data and end with a full set of data literacy skills.

• Fall semester

  The first term runs from September through mid-December and includes three sections, each approximately one month long. The collaborative research project is kicked off at the start of the Institute and weaves throughout the curricula. The fall semester will involve topics such as: developing the question/problem, connecting questions to data, and analyzing the data.

• Spring semester

  The second term runs from February through mid-May and includes three sections, each approximately one month long. The term culminates with completion and presentation of the collaborative research project. This semester will involve topics such as: conveying the information to your audience, taking action, and closing the loop.

A full description of the curriculum can be found in the Data literacy Institute Program Guide.