Inside Iowa State
Nov. 10, 1995


P&S Professional Development Discussion Draws Crowd

by Anne Dolan
About 130 Professional and Scientific (P&S) staff attending a 
Nov. 2 luncheon were reminded that President Martin Jischke's 
administration is committed to annual professional 
development opportunities for all employees. They also were 
told that they need to take the initiative in finding 
appropriate and meaningful options for themselves.

A four-member panel responded to questions during the 
luncheon, sponsored by the P&S Council.

"It's a partnership between you and the university," said 
Sharon Drake, manager of training and development. "You have 
to think about your professional goals and develop a growth 
plan for yourself."

Panelist Pete Hetland, the university's quality manager, 
encouraged participants to look for leadership and 
professional growth opportunities within the university, for 
example, through administrative intern-ships or quality 
planning teams. He also reminded managers that they need to 
be flexible in letting employees in their units pursue 
professional growth opportunities.

Much of the discussion focused on the tuition reimbursement 
fund (annually about $56,000) and professional development 
fund (about $5,000). The latter requires personal or 
departmental matching funds or both. George Covert, an 
associate director of the Computation Center and chair of the 
P&S committee that awards funds to P&S employees, said 60 to 
75 percent of tuition requests are funded. Past awards have 
no bearing on the decisions made each semester.

Covert said requests for professional development should be 
focused and clearly written. The proposed activity also must 
be related to a person's job or advancement plans. A new 
pamphlet that outlines professional development options, as 
well as awards designated for P&S staff, was mailed to all 
P&S employees last week.

In other business during the council's meeting following the 
luncheon:

--Associate provost Ed Lewis said five evening classes will 
be offered in the spring, from mid-February to mid-April. The 
starting time will be moved up to 6 p.m. in response to 
requests.

--Roberta Johnson, an enrollment services adviser in Student 
Financial Aid, was named to fill a vacancy on the council 
created by Steve Simpson's resignation. Simpson has accepted 
a position at the University of Missouri, Columbia.

__________
University Relations
Iowa State University