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Administrative Professionals Committee

Professional Development Committee

Overview

The AP Professional Development Subcommittee’s vision is to foster a dynamic culture of continuous learning and growth for all AP staff. We believe that professional development is not just an investment in individuals but a cornerstone of institutional success, strengthening morale, retaining talent, and fostering innovation. By championing a culture of growth and adaptability, the AP Professional Development Subcommittee strives to position the university as a leader in empowering its employees to thrive and contribute meaningfully to the organization and its community.

By offering a variety of programs, we aim to support AP staff in their professional journeys. Additionally, we strive to create spaces for collaboration and networking, enabling employees to connect, and apply their knowledge to drive innovation and excellence within their teams and the university.

2025-2026 Academic Year Charge:

  • Continuation of the AP Social
  • Explore ways to improve welcoming new APs to GVSU
  • Continuation of the professional development opportunities offered in 2024-2025
  • Contribute professional development communications to the AP newsletter
  • Explore how professional development funds are allocated to AP staff across the university

View a list of members on this committee.

At GVSU, professional development is comprised of a continuum of opportunities—internal and external to the University—which expand or enhance competencies and capabilities that contribute to GVSU’s mission. Professional development (PD) includes the pursuit/acquisition of skills, attitudes, or knowledge which is reasonably connected to the mission of the University. Such pursuits would include training, conferences, degrees, certifications, or experiences directly related to one’s current—or reasonable next—job within the University. Professional development includes more than training or classroom style events. Job rotations, shadowing, stretch assignments, communities of practice, coaching/mentoring relationships, conferences, travel, and service projects can all be vehicles for professional development.

Outcomes

  • Assist AP staff in the development of skills critical to their roles
  • Increase staff connections and a sense of community
  • Enhance staff contributions to teams and projects

Goals

  • Use GVSU Core Competencies to guide the content of professional development opportunities
  • Provide accessible, diverse, and impactful professional development opportunities through interactive discussions, trainings, and workshops
  • Promote leadership
  • Encourage adaptability in an ever-evolving landscape

Professional Development Opportunities

2026 AP Survey Update!

In the following video, Dr. Susan Mendoza and Dr. Benjamin Walsh introduce the redesigned Administrative Professionals Survey for 2026. They detail why the survey was updated, how the AP Survey Redesign Taskforce was assembled and addressed concerns about data usage, and what AP staff can expect to see in this year's survey. 

This video was filmed September 8, 2026, and only includes the informational portion of the session; the Q&A section was not recorded.

For more information, please visit the AP Survey page. And don't forget to complete the survey by September 30!

GVSU AP Professional Development Committee - Survey Redesign 2026 video

Events

Page last modified September 17, 2026