Join us to learn more about this career development opportunity! 

The Staff Professional Development Academy is a year-long, cohort style professional development and educational program open to all non-academic, full-time civil service and SPS employees. 

Program Goals 

• Creates a network of leaders at all levels and areas of the university to further promote and sustain a culture of shared leadership at NIU. 

• Exposes participants to multiple facets of university goals, operations, governance, and current higher education landscape. 

• Focuses on professional growth and enhancing staff’s leadership skills, such as consensus-building, conflict resolution, self-awareness, and creating shared goals. 

The cohort of up to 15 employees will be selected to participate in ten monthly sessions (four hours each) throughout the year each focused on specific topic related to university organization, the key functions of university, and university goals, complemented with interactive professional development components. Additionally, each participant will also be matched with a mentor for the duration of the program. 

Eligibility 

• Staff at all levels are encouraged to apply. 

• Permanent, 12-month, SPS or civil service employees (except SPS with rank or tenure) 

• Applicants should have a minimum of one cumulative year of service at the university by the program application deadline. 

• Support of supervisor and/or department head. 

For more information about the program goals, curriculum, and the application process, contact Holly Nicholson, Office of the President Staff Fellow, at hnicholson@niu.edu.