Elevating your Impact

Meet the dedicated committee championing academic staff growth

Behind the scenes, a dedicated group of volunteer academic staff is working to elevate your career.  The Professional Development and Recognition Committee (PDRC), a standing committee of the Academic Staff Assembly, is composed of passionate members from across campus who collaborate with university leaders to create meaningful opportunities for Academic Staff learning, growth, and recognition.

Whether you’re looking to sharpen your skills, expand your network, or be recognized for your contributions, the PDRC is here to help:

• Promote professional growth and recognition for academic staff.
• Work with campus leaders to create programs that build skills and abilities.
• Recommend updates to professional development guidelines.
• Review UW–Madison proposals for systemwide professional development programs.
• Find or create funding for professional development and recognition opportunities.
• Develop a regular Forum Series to enrich academic staff.
• Help select staff for awards, recognition, and special training programs.
• Publicize and celebrate the achievements of academic staff.

These efforts reflect the PDRC’s deep commitment to empowering academic staff across campus. As Mallory Musolf, Secretary of the Academic Staff, explains, “Academic staff awards and grants are a vital investment in the professional growth, innovation, and leadership of UW–Madison’s academic staff. The Professional Development and Recognition Committee plays a critical role in stewarding these opportunities, ensuring that academic staff are supported, celebrated, and empowered to advance their work in meaningful ways.”

In turn, PDRC members enjoy learning about academic staff across campus and supporting their fellow academic staff members to get rewarded for their service. Abbie Wagaman-Hartzell, a committee member and former co-chair, says, “PDRC is a really fun committee. You get insight into so many different parts of campus, from groundbreaking conferences to brand new academic staff members building their careers.”

Academic Staff Grants

Each semester, members of the PDRC review grant applications that support a wide range of learning and skill-building activities. These grants help academic staff attend conferences, participate in workshops, and enroll in non-credit continuing education courses—opportunities that benefit both individuals and the university.

Grants are awarded in both fall and spring. Currently, fall 2025 grants are open for activities between January 1, 2026, and June 30, 2026.

Professional Development Grants

Academic Staff Professional Development Grants are designed to help staff grow in their current roles and contribute even more to the UW–Madison community. Eligible activities include:

• Attending conferences
• Participating in workshops or training sessions
• Enrolling in non-credit continuing education courses
  (Note: tuition for degree programs is not covered)

Applicants may request up to 50% of the total cost of their activity. Most successful proposals receive between $1,000 and $1,200, with total activity costs typically ranging from $2,000 to $2,400.

Kyle Walsh, a Workforce Development Specialist with the Prison Education Initiative in the Division of Continuing Studies, used his grant to attend Reentry First: Reimagining Community College Education in Massachusetts, hosted by the Massachusetts Prison Education Consortium. Reflecting on his experience, Walsh shares, “The term ‘lifelong learning’ is only as meaningful as the opportunities we have for doing just that—inside and well beyond our formal educational institutions. Committing to continuous improvement within a learning institution shouldn’t and can’t just be something that we talk about. Rather, highlighting all of the ways in which we continue to learn, and intentionally making opportunities for this continued learning, is integral not only to our work, but to ourselves and our greater community.”

While demand for these grants is high, academic staff are strongly encouraged to apply. Each application helps demonstrate the need for continued—and expanded—investment in professional development across campus.

For the 2023–24 academic year:

• Spring 2023: 77 applicants requested $113,047; 34 grants awarded totaling $41,622
• Fall 2024: 94 applicants requested $114,357; 38 grants awarded totaling $42,000

With many departments facing budget constraints, fall 2025 is expected to be the most competitive cycle yet. To increase your chances of receiving a grant the PDRC offers the following tips.

• Choose the most fiscally responsible option (including travel and location)
• Collaborate with your supervisor—they’ll need to provide a strong letter of recommendation and match funds
• Attend a virtual brown bag info session to learn more
• Reach out to pdrc@soas.wisc.edu with any questions

The timeline for fall 2025 professional development grants is as follows. Spring 2025 grants follow a similar timeline in spring.

• October 13, 2025, Online Proposal Submitted Electronically to department chair/unit head 
• October 20, 2025, Department chairs and unit heads electronically approve proposals
• November 3, 2025, School/College/Division dean/director electronically approves proposal; School/College/Division dean/director emails ranked list of applications to the Secretary of the Academic Staff (if applicable)
• Week of December 8 (tentative), Announcement of the grants

Executive Education Grants

Academic staff may also apply for Executive Education Grants, sponsored by the Center for Professional and Executive Development (CPED) at the UW–Madison School of Business. These grants support attendance at 1–3 day CPED courses and are awarded to five staff members annually. The deadline to apply is October 13, 2025.

Taylor Ungerer, Education Program Administrator in the BerbeeWalsh Department of Emergency Medicine, used her grant to take Finance and Accounting for Non-Financial Professionals. She found the course invaluable. “I highly encourage colleagues to explore the Professional Development Grant and the many learning opportunities available across campus. Whether you’re looking to sharpen a specific skill or broaden your expertise, UW–Madison offers a wealth of resources to help you grow in your role and make a lasting impact on your team and community,” said Ungerer.

Academic Staff Awards

In addition to Academic Staff Grants, the PDRC also reviews nominations for the Academic Staff Excellence Awards. These awards honor academic staff members for their achievements and dedication to excellence. There are nine prestigious awards in seven different categories. The awards are presented at a ceremony in the spring. All awardees receive a plaque and a monetary stipend.

• Chancellor’s Hilldale Award for Excellence in Teaching
• Mary Lucy Clark Distinguished Teaching Award
• Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Service to the University
• Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Research – Independent Investigator
• Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Research – Critical Research Support
• Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Leadership – Individual Unit Level
• Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Leadership – School, College, or Larger University Level
• Martha Casey Award for Dedication to Excellence
• Ann Wallace Career Achievement Award