Professional Development Overview
Human Resources staff, along with our campus and community partners, provide a variety of professional development opportunities for employees to improve their knowledge, self-awareness, and effectiveness.
University employees may use the MyTalent Learning Management System to search the catalog for classes facilitated by KU staff as well as those in the LinkedIn Learning library of on-demand video courses.
KU staff also facilitate courses in these topic areas:
- Compassionate Communication Series
- A series of classes centered on communicating in ways that foster understanding, connection, and compassion. Class sessions cover topics related to empathy, needs, feelings, conflict, observations, and requests.
- Project Leader Certificate Program
- A six-part program for unofficial project managers. Class sessions cover topics related to project management basics, leading change, managing conflict, and facilitating meetings.
- STEP 3.0 – Supervisory Training for Excellence in Performance Program
- A comprehensive course for those who supervise staff employees. Class sessions cover topics related to hiring, employee performance, and compliance as well as mental health, trust, and communication.
- A comprehensive course for those who supervise staff employees. Class sessions cover topics related to hiring, employee performance, and compliance as well as mental health, trust, and communication.
KU HR staff also organize the annual Staff Leadership Summit. This day-long event consists of a series of presentations aligned around one topic.
We also offer staff the opportunity to participate in these extended programs each year. The applications for them are available each autumn:
- Aspiring Leaders Program
- This six-month program introduces the essentials of leadership and equips those without an official leadership role to lead from where they are within their organization.
- Staff Fellows Program
- This eight-month program provides staff the opportunity to work together on a campus project while gaining experience to grow their careers and building their capacity as leaders.
Other Resources
Our university partners and off-campus organizations also offer a variety of learning and development opportunities. Please see our quarterly email newsletter for information about these events.
Please note that some courses and programs require payment. These fees cover the cost of materials and assessments. An invoice will be sent to the department’s accounting representative, and it is our expectation that payment will be made in a timely fashion.