The Provost has established the Provost's Professional Development Awards for Advisors to support professional development opportunities for advisors such as conference attendance and continuing education. As many as five prizes of up to $750 each will be offered yearly.

Matching Requirement:
Additional documented costs of the professional development activity beyond $750 must be matched by the advisor’s home unit or college, up to $750.
 
Eligibility:

  • Non-faculty professionals who spend a significant portion of their job advising undergraduates, including academic advisors in the colleges and departments and advisors in support programs, are eligible.
  • Awards should be used for the purpose of attending or participating in recognized professional advising events or conferences such as NACADA national and regional events.
  • Applications may be submitted for events/activities occurring within the next academic year.
  • Upon their return, awardees are expected to present information gained at the conference/event with the UIC advising community in the form of a brown bag seminar or other similar activity.
  • Applicants are especially encouraged to present papers at the conferences themselves.
  • The award will be transferred to the advisor’s home unit, which will administer the reimbursements. 

Application Process:

Applications must include two letters:

  • Applications must be submitted electronically using the form available at https://illinois.edu/fb/sec/2075681.
  • Advisor must write a letter of proposal indicating what he/she will do with the award, what he/she hopes to get out of the experience, and how he/she will share information gained from attending the event with the UIC advising community. (1000 words maximum).
  • Advisor’s immediate supervisor must write a letter of recommendation explaining why the advisor should participate in the activity as well as what the unit might gain from the individual’s attendance. The supervisor must include a commitment to match the award up to $750 to cover any costs of the activity that exceed the award of $750.  

Applications will be reviewed by a subcommittee of the Undergraduate Advising Resource Center Committee, who will provide a recommendation to the Provost. Application materials will not be returned.

Deadline: January 17, 2012

Questions may be directed to advisingawards@uic.edu.