Staff Fellows Program

This professional development program provides participants with the opportunity to build their capacity as leaders, gain experience to grow their careers, while participating in a transformative leadership program. It is open to staff employees at all levels of the organization, regardless of job title or management status.

In recent years, campus constituent surveys and other feedback have identified “Employee Recognition and Appreciation” as opportunities to enhance the nature and future of work at KU. Accordingly, HR’s Learning and Development Team has initiated a new program to elevate employee recognition and appreciation, which are foundational best practices for the wellbeing and productivity of any workforce. 

Further, we have selected this topic for the 2026 Staff Fellows Program to encourage thought and action in order to enhance employee engagement through recognition and appreciation in a way that builds employee morale and acknowledges that every role matters and contributes to KU’s mission, vision, and values. This is topic is even more important, if challenging, right now given the fiscal realities facing KU and higher education in general.

The 2026 Staff Fellows cohort will have an opportunity to conduct research (through literature as well as internal interviews with KU academic and administrative units and external interviews with peer institutions and other organizations), to engage with senior KU leaders (including appointment of a one-to-one mentor as well as periodic group sessions with featured senior leaders), and to help identify strategies and initiatives for cost-effective and sustainable action in conjunction with KU’s IRISE Values.

Program Structure

During the program year, participants are expected to attend all three-hour sessions and to commit time in between sessions to complete readings, meet with their mentor, and perform project-related assignments.

Required Qualifications

The Staff Fellows program is open to all employees who:

• Have two years of continuous years of full-time employment at KU as either Unclassified Professional Staff (UPS) or University Support Staff (USS).
• Have the support of their supervisor and a history of exceptional work at KU.
• Are able to commit to a three-hour time block twice per month along with time in between sessions to complete readings, attend mentoring sessions and perform project work.
• Are available, interested, and capable of collaborating with cohort members while working on the project throughout the duration of the fellowship.
• Demonstrate the IRISE values in their work and interactions with others.
• Are enthusiastic for the larger mission of KU.

Preference may be given to those applicants with project management in an official or unofficial capacity.

Program dates:

The cohort will meet from 9am - Noon on these Fridays:

• February 20
• March 6
• March 27
• April 10
• April 24
• May 8
• May 22

Application Process

The application period will open January 14 and close January 28. During the open application period, the application form may be accessed using the link in the sidebar. A select pool of applicants will be asked to meet with a review committee for a short interview. Following the full review process, a small group will be selected to join the cohort. 

This program is primarily for professional development and leadership growth. There is no stipend for this experience.