University Staff Development Program (USDP)

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
This professional development program is designed to help university employees develop professionally and personally. The program provides tools for individuals to gain skills for advancement to entry level professional and management positions and to further their career objectives. Participants selected for the program engage in 9 months of active learning about university operations, information technology, and career training. The goal is to motivate participants to apply for future positions throughout the University such as Assistant Director/Manager, Administrative Associate, Advisor, and Research Assistant.

All New School University Union and Non-Union clerical employees, the support staff who function as assistants to Deans, Officers, Chairs and Directors (titles may vary), maintenance and security staff may apply or be nominated for the University Staff Development Program. Eligible candidates must have two or more years of service at New School University.

TEAM MODEL
There is a commitment from staff at various levels of the University, towards providing advancement opportunities for their support staff. The USDP Team: the Director of Employment Services, the Consultant / Facilitator, the Director of Career Placement & Development, and the Program Coordinator are dedicated to working together towards administering a quality program and insuring a positive experience for participants.

The USDP functions well due to the team's implementation of clearly defined communication of identified goals and objectives:

• The Director of Employment Services and the Consultant work together to design the program's structure and function
  
• The Director of Career Placement and Development functions in the capacity of Advisor, offering guidance with resources, university knowledge, resume writing and career placement
  
• The Coordinator is responsible for the administering of the day-to-day program functions.
  
• The USDP team works together to:
  
  • Inform the community of the program
  • Identify and recruit program participants
  • Regularly communicate with participant's supervisors:
    1. Keeping them abreast program schedule and activities
       
    2. Monthly updates on participant progress
       
    3. Including them in some of the program workshops
       
  • Identify coaches / mentors
    
  • Support of coaches / mentors via orientation and training:
    
    1. Regular one-on-one meetings: coaching the coaches
       
    2. Including coaches in pertinent program workshops
       
• Recruit / invite University executive staff to make presentations regarding career goals and work experiences.
  

It is due to a concerted team effort from all levels of staff at the University that effectively enables the USDP to function as well as it does.