Professional Development and Scholarship Funding

The Staff Senate is committed to helping staff members grow and improve their work skills and knowledge at Wichita State. Professional development and scholarship is rewarding in that it builds employee confidence, increases job competency, expands access to industry professionals, and enhances potential for career growth.

Applications & Timelines

Requests for Professional Development are due 6 weeks before the event.

Requests for Tuition & Fees are due June 1 for Fall-only or Fall/Spring semesters & Nov 1 for Spring-only semesters. 

You can expect to hear about your application within 5-7 business days.

Professional Development Funding Application Tuition & Fee Scholarship Funding Application 

Funding Opportunities

Shocker Employee Professional Development Scholarship
The Shocker Employee Professional Development Scholarship has been established with contributions to the Wichita State University Foundation and is sponsored by The University Staff Senate of Wichita State University (WSU). The ultimate goal in establishing this scholarship is to encourage staff growth and opportunity. The University Staff Senate feels by establishing a professional development scholarship for WSU employees they are encouraging employees to continue advancement in their own prospective fields. 

Guidelines

Shocker Employee and Dependent Scholarship
The Shocker Employee and Dependent Scholarship (Tuition & Fees) has been established with contributions to the Wichita State University Foundation and is sponsored by The University Staff Senate of Wichita State University (WSU).  The ultimate goal in establishing this scholarship was to help in the advancement of WSU employees and their dependents. The University Staff Senate feels by establishing a scholarship for WSU employees/dependents they are encouraging employees/dependents to start or continue toward a bachelor’s degree.

Guidelines

Appropriate Uses of these Funds

  • Conferences, workshops, and seminars, both on and off-campus, including registration fees and travel expenses (priority will be given to applicants presenting at conferences as opposed to solely attending)
  • Membership to professional organizations related to a staff member's current position
  • Funding for special projects, such as research and publication, related to a staff member's current position (e.g., conducting research or lab work specific to position)
  • Webinars
  • Certification exams that would enhance a staff member's employment
  • Registration fees that include a workbook
  • Departments may apply for the funds, given the purpose will be professional development. The preference would be for events that would benefit the entire department. This could include honoraria for speakers, materials such as books, or registration for webinars, among other things.

Other professional development opportunities will be reviewed. However, the following expenses are not eligible for funding:

  • Computer hardware
  • Training required by a department to fulfill one's position responsibilities
  • Pay for a WSU employee as a speaker or a paid honorarium
  • Tuition, fees, and textbooks

Award Size

Awards range in size, with the maximum amount per award set at $1,000, with typical awards of $250-500.

If funding is awarded, recipients using the award for travel will be required to complete necessary WSU travel forms prior to travel. Since this account uses foundation funds, the awardee must follow the Official University Travel policy and any state guidelines for travel.

Awardees will work with their department or Staff Senate on reimbursement. Awards cannot be provided if the event has taken place and expenses have already been paid.

This funding is meant to complement departmental funding. All applicants must ask their respective departments for funds, but are not required to secure them to be considered for Staff Senate reimbursement. Staff who are also graduate students must note whether they are eligible to receive funding from Graduate Studies.

Eligibility & Application Requirements

Shocker Employee Professional Development Scholarship

  1. Applicants must be a benefits-eligible WSU staff member.
  2. The awards for this scholarship will be provided directly to your department, which in turn must use the funds to cover costs associated with the professional development event, such as registration fees, travel costs, per diem, etc.
  3. Provide a brief recommendation statement from your supervisor confirming the opportunity is supported.
  4. Provide a brochure, early bird deadlines, emails, or other information that describes the professional development event.
  5. Provide a breakdown of the estimated costs associated with the event.
  6. Provide a personal statement detailing how participation in the event will assist in your professional growth and goals.
Application

 

Shocker Employee and Dependent Scholarship

  1. Must be fully admitted to WSU in a degree-bound program.
  2. Must be pursuing your first bachelor’s degree.
  3. Complete and attach the scholarship essay. Essay should be typed and include a brief overview of your contributions to the Wichita community at large and your personal long-range goals. The essay should also highlight why you deserve the scholar-ship and how you anticipate using your degree.
Application