Personal and Professional Development
The University of Mississippi recognizes the importance of continuing education and is committed to encouraging faculty and staff to engage in opportunities for personal and professional growth. There are opportunities for benefit-eligible faculty and staff to take university courses for credit and pursue degree programs on campus, as well as participate in training and development programs offered by Human Resources and other units on campus. For more information about taking courses, please read the Benefits Booklet and talk to your department chair or supervisor.
The University of Mississippi Staff Council offers a staff development scholarship that helps fund textbooks and/or required materials for qualified staff members enrolled in university courses. More information on the scholarship can be found at the staff development scholarship site.
Academic Advisor Network
The Academic Advising Network is a professional development organization that provides academic advisors with pertinent information through monthly luncheon workshops. The AAN also maintains a listserv that is used to distribute updates on policy changes from within the university and its colleges and schools.
Academic Outreach
The Office of Academic Outreach works closely with academic departments in course planning, design, and support by offering a variety of services and resources to University of Mississippi faculty teaching online courses and those who are positioning themselves to do so in the future.
Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning
The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning was established to promote student learning by continually improving teaching at the University of Mississippi. The center works to provide resources and assistance to faculty members related to their teaching endeavors.
Communiversity
In Communiversity classes, community and university come together to share, learn, and explore new areas of interest. Examples of Communiversity courses taught in the past include CPR and First Aid, Ballroom and Latin Dancing, Cake Decorating, and Computer and Internet Basics, among other topics.
Human Resources
The Department of Human Resources offers professional development training for faculty and staff at the University of Mississippi, including Franklin Covey programs, the LEAD series, SAP training, the Search series, and others.
Information Technology
The Office of Information Technology and Division of Outreach and Continuing Education provide workshops on important technology topics in a variety of areas to improve the skills of our faculty and staff.
McLean Institute for Public Service and Community Engagement
The McLean Institute for Public Service and Community Engagement works hard to support and increase community engagement efforts with the state and local communities. Faculty and staff looking to get involved to improve the quality of life in Mississippi can visit the institute’s service directories.
National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity
The University of Mississippi is an institutional member of the National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity, an independent professional development, training, and mentoring community for faculty members, postdocs, and graduate students.
New Faculty Orientation
New faculty at the University of Mississippi are invited to a faculty orientation each August, and have opportunities to participate in various learning communities throughout the year.
Office of the Provost
Department Chair Professional Development Workshops are hosted by the Office of the Provost throughout the year. These workshops provide department chairs and heads of academic units with information and resources to help them lead their units, an opportunity to network with others and make contacts for ongoing support and problem-solving, and a venue to discuss issues and university initiatives.
Office of Sustainability Volunteer Opportunities
The Office of Sustainability presents several volunteer opportunities for faculty and staff throughout the year, from the Green Grove Program to the UM Garden Club.
Ole Miss Toastmasters
The Ole Miss Toastmasters Club helps faculty and staff master the art of public speaking and fully develop their leadership potential.
Staff Appreciation Week
Staff Appreciation Week is a yearly week of events and ceremonies sponsored by the Staff Council to show appreciation to staff members at the university.
University Ombuds
The University Ombuds provides the University of Mississippi community with a confidential, neutral, independent, and informal place to voluntarily seek assistance with bringing forth and resolving campus-related concerns, problems, or disputes.
The University Dames
The University Dames is a social and charitable group open to all women who are faculty or staff, or whose partners are faculty or staff of the university.