Leadership Exchange

Professional Development on a Shoestring Budget

BY JOHN R. LAWS

Increasingly diverse student bodies, advances in technology, changing organizational structures, and heightened societal

demands have made professional development for higher education professionals more important than ever. Yet, obstacles

continue to plague student affairs staff members.

Many professionals do not believe they have access to professional development opportunities or feel they can afford the time. At community colleges, student affairs employees work in functional areas with little staff support. Their multiple responsibilities, large workloads, and limited scheduling flexibility keep many from engaging in regular training and professional development.

Time is a big challenge to obtaining professional development. Work obligations, family responsibilities, and the need to maintain the everyday operation of an organization can limit participation. Smart professionals and supervisors weigh opportunities against improved efficiency, discovery of new approaches, staff retention, and user satisfaction.

The cost of staff time out of the office, conference/work-shop registration, and travel can also keep staff members from engaging in professional development. Costs can be minimized by looking at networking and collaboration opportunities, utilizing regional offerings, and seeking low-cost or free alternatives.

Whatever the challenges, any staff member interested in pursuing professional development opportunities should have the full support of his or her supervisor and institution. To ensure that support, information should be gathered and presented to show how professional development relates to institutional goals, outcomes, or the educational plans of the individual and how it connects to institutional priorities, retention, improved student success, and diversity awareness. Remember that the learning college concept supports staff development as well as student development.

Opportunities to Facilitate Professional Development

Student affairs staff members at community colleges and other institutions with limited budgets and staff should consider the following options.

NASPA’s Student Services Institutes. The institutes offer a core curriculum specific to the student affairs area, combine it with the unique needs of each institution, and gear it to professionals and para-professionals with or without college degrees in the field who now work in student affairs. The Student Services Institutes allow multiple institutions to combine their staffs while still ensuring customization of

offerings. The institutes’ pre-assessment tools are used to ensure that the curriculum and presenters are well matched to participants. To learn more about the Student Services Institutes, contact Yvette Galloway at the NASPA office (202- 265-7500, ext. 1173).

Regional Conferences and Workshops. Regional opportunities are often less expensive, easier to travel to, and more intimate than national conferences. Facilitators frequently are the same people who present at national events. Due to reduced costs and shorter time commitments, many professionals choose regional events over annual conferences.

State Meetings. Frequently NASPA hosts one- or two-day drive-in workshops or conferences that are very cost effective. These events range from skill development to topical forums. To learn more, contact your regional vice president or Joseph DeSanto at the NASPA office (202-265-7500, ext. 117).

Campus Resources. Institutions may offer classes and workshops to local companies and agencies, but not market them to offices on their own campuses. The offices of workforce development, human resources, and others may provide opportunities at little to no cost to staff. Do not overlook opportunities to collaborate with nearby institutions to attend their events or invite them to yours at reduced costs.

Webinars and Video

Conferences. Online and satellite broadcasts can provide opportunities, especially when partnering with others. Watch professional literature and advertisements for these events.