Staff Development Fund
The Staff Development Fund provides support for College of Arts and Sciences staff members who wish to participate in workshops, seminars, conferences, and other training opportunities that relate to their current job responsibilities. The fund can also be used for reference books, training software, and other materials that enhance staff members’ job skills. The fund should not be used for development opportunities that do not relate to job requirements or for computer applications or other equipment that should be provided through departmental budgets.
Before applying for funds, applicants should ensure that similar professional development opportunities are not available on campus or in the Atlanta area. Funding will not be provided for training opportunities that are available through Georgia State University. Similarly, travel expenses will not be funded for professional development opportunities that are available in the Atlanta area. The college’s Staff Development Committee will maintain a list of current on-campus staff development programs at www.cas.gsu.edu/staffdev.
Staff members are eligible to receive one award of up to $500 per semester. Post doctoral positions and staff whose salaries are funded predominantly through grants are not eligible to apply for the Staff Development Fund. The awards process is competitive, and those receiving this honor will be announced on the college website and at staff meetings.
There are five Staff Development Fund application submission deadlines each year: two each in fall and spring and one in summer (specific deadlines are available at www.cas.gsu.edu/staffdev.) To apply, staff members submit to the Dean’s Office the application form signed by the department chair, supporting documentation for the project, and a resume that includes a description of job responsibilities. The college Staff Development Committee will review the materials and make award decisions. The committee will make awards based on the appropriateness of the professional development opportunity to the applicant’s current job duties, the quality of support documentation, and previous awards during the fiscal year. The committee may choose to provide partial funding for requested support. Applicants will receive notification of whether or not they have been awarded funding within two weeks of the deadline if all required materials are included in the application.
The Staff Development Committee will also survey the staff periodically to determine if there is broad interest in specific training areas. If there is significant need, the committee will seek approval for using Staff Development Funds to organize internal training events. Annual funding for the Staff Development Fund is determined by the Dean in consultation with the chair of the Staff Development Committee.
