Faculty and professional staff in the School of Public Health and Health Sciences may apply to the Dean’s Professional Development Opportunity Program. Professional development involves the acquisition of knowledge or the development of skills related to programs that enhance teaching and education, research and scholarly activity, academic leadership and management and professional staff leadership and management. The intent of the award is to provide support so that faculty or staff members can acquire important skills and strategies that allow them to increase their productivity in their roles as teachers, educators, leaders, researchers, administrators and managers.
These funds (maximum of $3000) can be used for tuition or program registration and associated travel. Funds will not be provided to attend a scientific meeting. Up to five Professional Development Opportunities will be awarded per year. Funds will be available upon award notification, and must be expended within 12-months or the funds will be forfeited. Receipts for expenditures must be provided to the SPHHS Business Manager for cost-reimbursement. Within two months following the end of the professional development program, the recipient must email a final report detailing how the funds were used, what was accomplished in the professional development program and the most beneficial aspects to the individual awardee of the professional development program attended.
To apply for funds a faculty or staff member must submit the following:
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A copy of the details of the specific professional development opportunity, the location and dates of the program, and any other relevant dates or information.
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A narrative of less than one page which includes the reason to attend, and a brief description of anticipated benefits of the specific professional development program.
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A current CV/resume.
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An itemized budget.
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A letter of support from the Department Chair or supervisor.
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Verification of the source of support if $3000 is insufficient for the development program requested, such as a commitment from the Department Chair or allocation of individual RTF.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis beginning October 21, 2019 and accepted until all funds are allocated. All application materials should be submitted in one pdf document to Karen Lovely (klovely@umass.edu) in the Associate Dean’s office with a copy to Dean Anna Maria Siega-Riz (asiegariz@umass.edu ) and Associate Dean for Research & Administration, Sue Hankinson sueh@umass.edu).
N.B. Faculty and Staff members who have not yet received a professional development opportunity award will be given preference.
