The Staff Senate Resources and Development Committee is excited to announce that applications for the 2026-2027 Staff Senate Professional Development Fund are now being accepted!
At Western Carolina University, Staff Senate remains committed to supporting staff success and enhancing the employee experience. Professional development plays an important role in personal growth, career advancement, and workplace excellence. We recognize that access to training and development opportunities can sometimes be limited by available funding, and the Professional Development Fund was created to help bridge that gap.
Through this fund, eligible staff members and departments may receive financial assistance to participate in professional development activities that support their current responsibilities and future career aspirations. Awards are available for up to $500 for individual applicants and $750 for departmental applicants.
Funding may be used for a variety of professional development opportunities, including conferences, workshops, seminars, webinars, training programs, and professional certifications. Please note that tuition, fees, textbooks, educational supplies, and professional organization memberships are not eligible expenses.
To review eligibility requirements and submit an application, visit the Staff Senate Professional Development webpage: https://affiliate.wcu.edu/staffsenate/professional-development/.
Questions about the fund may be directed to Holli Stillman, Resources and Development Committee Chair, at hbstillman@wcu.edu, or Elizabeth Honbarger, Professional Development Fund Liaison, at aehonbarger@wcu.edu.
We encourage all eligible staff and departments to take advantage of this opportunity to invest in professional growth and development during the 2026-2027 academic year.