James Madison University
EN-9: Staff Professional Development and Training

1. As part of our mental health awareness program, all JMU faculty and staff are required to complete the online course “At Risk: Mental Health”, which takes about 40 minutes. This course is important as it is comprised of interactive scenarios that allow all JMU faculty and staff to increase their understanding and awareness of topics regarding mental health. It provides opportunities to learn new information and, in some cases, review familiar concepts that empower them to create and participate in a safe and supportive learning community. See course information at https://www.jmu.edu/hrcompliance/at-risk-mental-health.shtml. Mental health is aligned with SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being.  SDG Target 3.4 reads, "By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health well-being."

2. A workshop is offered at least annually in person as an introduction to green office best practices. Participants view short (5 to 15 minute long) online modules, such as the Big Picture, Energy, the 6Rs, and Purchasing/Procurement, which were created by Dr. Maria Papadakis and Dr. Jennifer Coffman, faculty members in the Integrated Science and Technology Program. Participants have the option of completing all of the modules independently at any time. Participants also watch a brief video about campus sustainability highlights and complete a worksheet recording implementation of certain actions.

Approximately 25 non-academic staff (~1% of staff) per year take this training. The training counts toward the Administrative Assistant Certificate, but those in other roles also participate as the training also counts as training credit more broadly. Those completing the training receive a certificate in addition to JMU training credit. This training was originally called "Greening Your Office." The modules are collectively still called that but the overall title of the training was changed to "Greening Your Workspace" as of January 2019 to be more inclusive.

Two levels of Greening Your Workspace participation are offered - Acorn and Oak. Acorn level takes less than 30 minutes to complete, while the Oak level takes approximately 75 minutes and earns Training and Development credit. All participants receive an electronic logo to be added to their email signature.

3. Of the 321 Active Talent Development workshops, 141 (44%) contain diversity, equity and inclusion content; of those, 30 (9%) are fully focused. See the list at https://www.jmu.edu/talentdevelopment/competencies/dei-diversity.shtml. Total enrollment in the fully focused workshops for the reporting year was 393.

4. The Office of the President sponsors the annual JMU Diversity Conference. This popular conference celebrates diversity by providing learning opportunities for our faculty, staff and local community through a multitude of sessions, engaging keynote speakers and award recognitions. Hundreds of people participate. https://www.jmu.edu/inclusion/iee/programs-and-events/diversity-conference/index.shtml

5. Balanced Dukes is the work-life balance and integration program for James Madison University. The program offers wellness programs, initiatives, and campaigns that encourage health and wellness throughout campus. Our goal is to support and enhance the overall wellbeing of our faculty and staff. The annual conference offers a day of learning sessions aligned with the eight dimensions of wellness.  Attendance is not tracked at all activities. https://www.jmu.edu/humanresources/balanced-dukes/annual-conference/index.shtml 

The above are all open to non-academic staff.

Funds are available through Talent Development http://www.jmu.edu/talentdevelopment/trainingfunds.shtml and an employee tuition waiver https://www.jmu.edu/humanresources/benefits/tuition-assistance/index.shtml. Staff members can apply to use these funds for sustainability-related training and courses, respectively.

This information is not available.

Responsible party for professional development: Amanda Bodle, Program Manager

ISNW Talent Development workshops data provided by Jojo Griffith, Talent Development Program Administrator on December 8, 2023 and entered by Amanda Bodle on December 14, 2023. All initiatives reported were confirmed as ongoing at time of submission.

Information about At Risk: Mental Health training was found at https://www.jmu.edu/hrcompliance/at-risk-mental-health.shtml.  Participation in this training is what enabled this credit to count for "75+% of regular, non-academic staff that participate annually in sustainability professional development and training."

More professional development programs were added since JMU's last STARS submission.