The Office of the Provost supports professional development for full-time faculty. Funding can help you attend conferences, strengthen teaching and research, and pursue opportunities for professional growth.
Request Professional Development Funds
Complete the form and submit it with supporting documentation to your Dean/Associate Dean at least 30 days before the program begins.
Eligibility and Available Funding
Who Can Apply
All full-time faculty members.
Average Award
$2,000. Additional funds may be available to cover travel expenses.
Fiscal Year
July 1–June 30. Funds do not roll over or accumulate for the next fiscal year.
More than one professional development request may be submitted during a fiscal year, subject to available funding and required approvals. Additional school funding is at the discretion of the Dean/Vice Provost when funds are available.
Plan with your supervisor: Identify eligible opportunities and confirm available funding. Funding is subject to budget availability and approval by your immediate supervisor and the Vice Provost of Academic Operation.
What Funding Can Support
Conferences and Travel
- Virtual or in-person conference fees
- Travel and lodging associated with in-person conferences
Learning and Skill Development
- Workshops and webinars
- Self-paced credentialing or upskilling programs
Faculty are strongly encouraged to attend one conference each year to stay current in their field or in online teaching practices, and to submit a proposal to present at one conference each year.
Travel requirements: Requests must comply with the Excelsior University Travel Policy, university business-travel policies, and applicable health or government travel restrictions.
Professional Development Priorities
Funding supports growth in these areas:
- Teaching excellence and the teaching-learning process
- Discovery, research, and scientific inquiry
- Integration across disciplines
- Application and engagement connecting theory and research to practice
- Process efficiency and continuous improvement
- Other administrative benefits
Professional Development Funds Request Process
Complete the review and approval process before booking an event, arranging travel, or making a purchase.
1
Submit Your Request
Complete the Professional Development Funds Form and send it with supporting documentation to your Dean/Associate Dean for review.
Timing: Submit at least 30 days before the program start date.
2
Obtain Dean/Associate Dean Approval
Your Dean/Associate Dean consults with your immediate supervisor to verify alignment with the university’s mission and the strategic objectives of the School and University.
The review also confirms that attendance hours or days can be approved while maintaining business continuity. Requests that adversely affect School business needs may be declined.
3
Forward the Approved Form
After Dean/Associate Dean approval, send the completed form to Bonnie Ordonez at ude.roislecxe@zenodrob for recordkeeping and coordination of the budget approval process in Business World (BW).
4
Enter the Request in Business World
Events or Travel
Submit an expense/travel request and upload the approved form in BW before booking events or travel.
University-Paid Non-Travel Purchases
Submit a purchase requisition in BW before purchasing when the invoice will be paid by the University.
5
Complete BW Approvals
Approvals follow the BW workflow for the unit being charged. The approval process will be completed within 10 days.
6
Submit Claims or Invoices
After expenses are incurred and any travel has concluded, submit an expense claim in BW for travel or reimbursable expenses.
Send invoices referencing the purchase order (PO) number to ude.roislecxe@eciovnI and copy Bonnie Ordonez.
Before You Submit
Use this quick check to prepare your request.
- Complete the funding request form
- Include supporting documentation
- Allow at least 30 days before the program starts
- Connect the opportunity to professional development priorities
- Discuss eligibility and funding with your supervisor
- Review travel requirements when applicable