University of Nebraska at Kearney
PAE-13: Staff Professional Development in Sustainability

A brief description of the sustainability trainings and professional development opportunities available to staff:

Scholarship Program: partial payment by the University of college courses take by the employee at their discretion.

Ingredients of Professional Growth: Staff are required to attend four of seven suggested events or they could have their supervisor sign off on other activities for growth that were not listed.

KUDOS: At each University of Nebraska Board of Regents meetings, the Board recognizes outstanding staff members at any four campuses.

Technology Excellence Award: This is a department award established through the NU Foundation with funding from two anonymous donors. This award recognizes those Information Technology Services staff members who consistently provide a level of service “significantly above and beyond” specific job responsibilities.

Employee Achievement Awards: This award is given to UNK personnel upon exemplary service as epitomized in their daily work.

Recognition of Excellence Awards: This award is based on a department’s strengths in one or all of the following criteria: Commitment to campus (students, staff, faculty, guests); Outstanding event or recognition; Exemplary service in daily operations; Projection of professional attitude; Contribution to the excellence of the UNK community.

Staff Senate: Staff Senate addresses topics affecting staff members, as it promotes a better working environment. The Staff Senate acts in an advisory capacity to the Chancellor, the administration, and other University groups. The Professional Development Committee under Staff Senate periodically hosts trainings and speakers in order to inform and educate staff on a variety of topics for further professional development.

Leadership UNK: The goal of Leadership UNK is to familiarize staff members with various aspects of leadership at UNK and within the University system, to expose them to leadership opportunities on campus, and then encourage them to accept leadership roles in the future. Participants attend 9 half-day sessions and one full-day session beginning in August and continuing through May.

ASSIST Program: (Acclimating new Staff through Support, Involvement, Socializing and Trust) is a mentoring program developed and administered by Staff Senate to assist new staff employees. New situations can be stressful as the individual attempts to gain a "sense of place." The mentor helps the new employee achieve a comfort level within the university system. This is accomplished as the mentor assists the new employee in navigating through policies, procedures, values, expectations, and customs, thus becoming a full participant in the university system.

Fidelity Investments Staff Award for Excellence: This is presented to one or two UNK staff members in recognition of consistent, outstanding service to students, to the institution and to education in general.

Jim and Lynn Rundstrom Family Foundation Staff Award for Excellence: This is presented to one or two UNK staff members in recognition of consistent, outstanding service to students, to the institution and to education in general.

Pepsi/UNK Staff Development Program: The Pepsi Staff Development program allows for a competitive process whereby financial support may be provided for worthy activities which further develop staff skills and abilities related to their employment at UNK.

Information Technology Trainings: The Instructional Technology Group of ITS is designed for students, faculty, and staff to encourage and support technology confidence and expertise in addressing academic and personal technology learning needs and goals.

Business and Finance Trainings for new employees: These trainings assist individuals on a variety of topics that could be a part of their day to day work. These are optional but the responsibilities each employee has will dictate which ones they will need in order to be proficient at their position.

Crime Prevention Trainings: These trainings assist the individual in how to handle various instances that could lead to personal injury or harm while on campus. These are optional but the responsibilities each employee has will dictate which ones they will need in order to be proficient at their position.

Safety Center Trainings: Various trainings to assist in driving, mine safety, etc. that are offered to both students and employees.

The website URL where information about staff training opportunities in sustainability are available: