Seattle University
EN-9: Staff Professional Development and Training

1. The Endowed Mission Fund (EMF) grants:
SU’s Endowed Mission Fund provides grant funding (typically between $500-$5000) to staff and faculty who develop proposals to integrate the Jesuit Catholic Mission of Seattle University into their professional development, scholarship, teaching, and department formation, through mission-related projects, programs, book groups, research, community gatherings, and trainings. The EMF committee particularly welcomes proposals which advance the four Universal Apostolic Preferences, which includes "To collaborate in the care of our Common Home" and "To walk with the poor, the outcasts of the world, those whose dignity has been violated, in a mission of reconciliation and justice."
https://www.seattleu.edu/jesuit-education/endowed-mission-fund/


2. The SDG Launch:
Since 2021, Seattle University’s Center for Social Transformation and Leadership offers an opportunity for staff, faculty and students to participate in a three-part online workshop to learn about the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In partnership with the Foundation for Environmental Stewardship (FES) the “SDG Launch” educates participants about the UN SDGs and provides the skills and training necessary to mobilize action. Participants completing all sessions of the workshop receive a UN certificate of completion.


3. LinkedIn Learning:
Since 2019 Seattle University offers all faculty and staff free access to LinkedIn Learning, an online professional development. The tool includes a wide range of sustainability-focused videos and courses. https://www.seattleu.edu/hr/employee-resources/linkedin-learning/


4. The University’s tuition benefit programs:
Seattle University provides financial assistance to help employees, their spouses, and dependents take advantage of post-secondary educational opportunities. Regular, Benefits-Eligible employees who have worked for the University for at least three consecutive full months, are eligible to participate in Tuition Remission. There is no tuition charge for their studies. This allows employees to take courses or pursue degrees (for example a sustainability-focused minor or major) at Seattle University.


5. Seattle University provides internal sustainability professional development opportunities by organizing, hosting, or co-sponsoring sustainability-focused conferences, lectures, symposiums, workshops, or seminars on campus where SU employees receive discounted or free admission. Most departments have some budget allocated to cover registration costs for events or conferences on campus; Most events on campus are free for SU employees.

Examples:
• (Annual since 2020): EARTH TALKS at SEATTLEU:
Earth Talks is an annual showcase of 10-15 short, five-minute TEDx-style presentations by Seattle University faculty, staff, students, and community partners, followed by a keynote speaker. Presentations could cover service projects, research, advocacy, artwork, performance, poems, and more. The theme of Earth Talks is “Care for our Common Home.” Keynote speakers have included Patience Malaba (2023), Senator Rebecca Saldaña and David Mendoza (2022); Jamie Margolin and Donna Moodie (2021); and a video interview with Denis Hayes (2020).
www.seattleu.edu/earthtalks

• (October 2020 - 2022) Food Justice Week and (Feb 2024) Food Justice Summit:
Food Justice Week has been organized since 2020 each year during the Month of October, to highlight the global World Food Day. It served as an invitation to explore the complex relationship between food and justice through interactive, educational and thought-provoking events. Colleagues and students from across campus hosted events ranging from films, cooking demonstrations and panel discussions. See: https://www.seattleu.edu/media/college-of-arts-and-sciences/graduate-degrees/master-of-social-work/documents/Food-Justice-Week-Calendar-of-Events-Poster.pdf
In academic year 2023-2024, Food Justice week was replaced by a full-day Food Justice Summit to challenge our campus community to engage critically and create radical solutions to solve our community problem. The summit includes a keynote address from Carmen Smith, Executive Director of the White Center Food Bank, and panel discussions including representatives from college campuses, local community action groups, as well as state representatives: https://seattleu.campuslabs.com/engage/event/9833157

• Indigenous Plant and Food Traditions, April 26, 2022:
This event featured Indigenous and non-Indigenous plant experts offering introductions to Indigenous relationships with plants, storytelling, plant walks, and hands-on learning experiences with plants, including salve or lip balm making. See: https://www.seattleu.edu/media/cejs/files/events/Gaffney-event-flyer.pdf

• Governor Jay Inslee on: "How America Can Lead the World in Alleviating Global Climate Change.", April 14, 2023 (2:00-3:00PM):
As part of the Institute of Public Service’s “Conversations” series, and in conjunction with the Center for Environmental Justice and Sustainability, Seattle University hosted Washington Governor Jay Inslee, who spoke on “How America Can Lead the World in Alleviating Global Climate Change.” The governor also answered questions on climate policy and other sustainability-related topics.

• Turning the Tide for Ecology - 2023 Catholic Earth Day Summit, April 22, 2023:
This annual environmental justice summit provides a space to ground our collective work spiritually, discern how the Spirit is calling us to build reciprocity with the Earth, and taking action together for climate justice! In 2023 the day included Mass by Archbishop Paul D. Etienne, keynotes on integral ecology and salmon restoration, and a panel on climate action.

• Obermiller Lecture on Marketing Sustainability, October 25, 2023:
The Marketing Department at the Albers School of Business and Economics initiated (in Fall 2023) the annual “Obermiller Lecture on Marketing Sustainability”. The lecture is named for Professor Emeritus Carl Obermiller in the Department of Marketing. The featured speaker for the inaugural lecture was Dr. Rebecca Reczek, Berry Chair of New Technologies in Marketing and Professor of Marketing at the Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University. The lecture was followed by a practitioner-oriented panel discussion (“Best Practices in Sustainability Communications and Marketing”) featuring Dr. Reczek and others. https://www.seattleu.edu/su-today/2023/inaugural-obermiller-lecture-on-marketing-sustainability.html

• Symposium “Our Clean Energy Future,” Jan 6, 2024, 9:00AM-12:00PM:
A symposium dedicated to exploring clean energy solutions for the future. Climate activist Bill McKibben joined us via Zoom to kick off the symposium. Dr. Charlyne Smith from the Breakthrough Institute lead a panel discussion on the role of nuclear power. David Logsdon from Seattle City Light discussed the future of hydropower in Washington and Seattle's grid resiliency. Mariel Thuraisingham, environmental law and policy specialist with Front and Centered discussed how to enable a just transition to clean energy. Jennifer Grove, Managing Director for Energy Programs in Communities at the Washington State Department of Commerce, presented on the opportunities for clean energy development in Washington

• (Annual) Laudato Si' Action Platform Summit and Celebration (Oct 20, 2023; Feb 15, 2024):
A goal of SU’s “Laudato Si' Action Plan” is to organize a annual Laudato Si' University celebration in collaboration with campus and community partners. See: https://www.seattleu.edu/ictc/laudato-si-action-platform/laudato-si-priorities-and-goals/#d.en.5825752
This is an opportunity to learn about and celebrate our community's participation in the "Seven-Year Journey Toward Integral Ecology." The celebration includes presentations by Seattle University’s Laudato Si' Action Platform Executive Sponsors, a panel of faculty members, display of faculty research and information tables hosted by community partners.

• Laudato Si’-focused seminars and programming:
A goal of SU’s “Laudato Si' Action Plan” is to provide educational seminars and programming for informed public advocacy and campus engagement through specific campus offices like the Institute for Catholic Thought and Culture (ICTC), Center for Environmental Justice & Sustainability (CEJS), Center For Jesuit Education (CJE), Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI), Center for Ecumenical and Interreligious Engagement (CEIE), Center for Social Transformation and Leadership (CSTL), Campus Ministry, and the Institute for Public Service. See here: https://www.seattleu.edu/ictc/laudato-si-action-platform/laudato-si-priorities-and-goals/#d.en.5825752.
A few recent examples of Laudato Si’ focused seminars and programming are:
--Caring for Our Common Home: A reading of Laudato Si' through the lenses of Querida Amazonia (Oct 27, 2022)
Description: Dr. Cecilia Titizano, a native of Bolivia of Quechua-Aymara descent and Director of Latina/o Theology and Ministry Leadership Network of the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University spoke on reading Laudato Si' through the lenses of Querida Amazoni.
--Our Common Home and the Climate Crisis: A Multi-Disciplinary Discussion (February 1, 2024)
This panel discussion focused on the papal documents Laudato Si' and Laudate Deum and how different sectors integrate the documents of Pope Francis into their work. The interdisciplinary panel featured four faculty members from across campus: https://www.seattleu.edu/su-today/2024/our-common-home-and-the-climate-crisis-a-multi-disciplinary-discussion-with-su-faculty.html
--Implementing Cathonomics for a Better World (February 5th, 2024)
Dr. Anthony M. Anett, the author of "Cathonomics", senior advisor at the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and visiting scholar at Columbia University’s Center for Sustainable Development visited Seattle University in February 2024. Among several presentations and meetings at SU, his “Bosanko Public lecture” focused on creating a world economy that is more prosperous, inclusive and sustainable for all. See here: https://www.seattleu.edu/su-today/2024/bosanko-public-lecture-welcomes-anthony-annett-author-of-cathonomics.html

For a full list of sustainability conferences, lectures, events, and/or workshops hosted by SU, see: https://www.seattleu.edu/cejs/events/past-events/

Seattle University provides external professional development opportunities in sustainability by co-sponsoring conferences off-campus that allow SU employees to participate at a reduced rate and/or by allocating budget for registration/travel/lodging to allow participation at external events, conferences, webinars, trainings or workshops.

1. Washington and Oregon Higher Education Sustainability Conference (WOHESC):
SU has been a community partner of the WOHESC conference for the past three years allowing SU community members to participate at a discounted rate. Each year, 1-2 staff members have been able to obtain funding from their respective departments to participate at no cost in the annual WOHESC conference.
https://www.wohesc.org/


2. Professional development funded by the Grounds department:
The Grounds department supports their staff each year with training opportunities to maintain our grounds according to SU’s 100% organic, pesticide-free and IPM landscaping practices:
--One gardener obtained the WSNLA Certified Professional Horticulturist (CEU’s renewed in 2023)
--two gardeners obtained the WSDA Pesticide Applicator License (CEU’s renewed 2022)
--One irrigation Specialist obtained the Certified irrigation Auditor (CEU’s renewed 2022)


3. AJCU Campus Safety, and Facilities & Sustainability Conference:
Each year SU’s Facilities department funds a cohort of staff members to attend the annual “AJCU Campus Safety, and Facilities & Sustainability conference” (AJCU = Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities). The 2023 conferebnce took place in Gonzaga, WA.


4. In the past three years, one staff member received funding from her department to participate in the International Society of Sustainability Professionals (IISP) training program and exam, and obtained her “Sustainability Excellence Associate (SEA)” credential.


5. In the past three years, two staff members received funding from their respective departments to participate in the GBCI TRUE Advisor training and they obtained their TRUE Advisor Certification


6. In 2023, two staff members obtained funding to attend the Climate and Environmental Justice Conference at Santa Clara University (April 27-29, 2023)


7. In June-July 2023, four staff and faculty members obtained funding from the Institute for Catholic Thought and Culture and the Office of the Provost to participate in a one-week, online summer workshop in sustainability, environmental justice, and integral ecology offered by Santa Clara University.