New Network for Professional Development Staff
Group meetings offer space for conversation, education on training resources
From staff assistants who help with scheduling to employees focused on promoting professional development at Duke, a new program is geared toward connecting staff from across campus who work in professional development.
Learning & Organization Development recently launched the Professional Development Trainers’ Network for faculty and staff who are responsible for overseeing educational programs and opportunities for peers. The group is a way for employees to network and discuss best practices that will encourage enhancement of skills among all Duke employees.
“Whether it’s 5 percent of their job or more than 90 percent, we have a lot of people across Duke’s enterprise who oversee different aspects of professional development,” said Keisha Williams, executive director of Learning & Organization Development. “This is a way we can ensure all employees are growing and learning from the moment they join Duke.”
After an initial meeting for the Professional Development Trainers’ Network in June, three meetings are scheduled in 2015, with the next gathering from noon to 1:30 P.M. July 29 in the Shaner Room at 402 Oregon St. Other sessions are scheduled for September 18 and November 16.
Among topics to address, Williams noted that staff will share experiences with Duke’s Learning Management System and how their own offices approach professional development throughout the University and Health System.
“We have an opportunity to hear from individuals throughout Duke doing great work who will share benchmark data and ways to collaborate with one another,” Williams said. “We want to break people out of their silos.”
The chance to meet and interact with other trainers is what drew Christine Vucinich to the June session. She wanted to hear from others about experiences using online training programs and meeting peers.
Vucinich, technical education and outreach coordinator for the Office of Information Technology, hopes remaining meetings inspire her to think about training in a new way, but also provide her with peers to discuss new ideas.
“Just having a central place where we can put names to faces and learn about a community of people to reach out to is important,” she said. “This is key to making Duke feel smaller and helping us make the best teaching and learning environment for our users across campus.”