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Commission on Food, Environment, & Renewable Resources (CFERR)

2025 Academic Programs Staff Development Workshop

The 2025 Academic Programs Staff Development Workshop was held in Tucson, AZ on February 10-12, 2025.

This workshop is designed to enhance expertise and spark creativity among staff from colleges of agriculture, human sciences, natural resources, and related fields. Participants will have the opportunity to learn from their peers across the country who work in similar academic programs. 

Staff in academic programs play a crucial role in supporting students and faculty within their colleges. Their responsibilities often include student recruitment, career services, study abroad coordination, advising support, undergraduate research, and scholarship administration. In many cases, individual staff members are expected to manage several of these responsibilities simultaneously. 

However, there are few opportunities for staff from these colleges to connect with peers from other institutions to discuss the breadth of their activities. This workshop aims to facilitate networking among professionals performing similar roles nationwide. It will also offer professional development through training sessions that inspire creativity by showcasing how different institutions address common challenges. 

The presentations that our Speakers can be found at this link.

The Workshop was held at the University of Arizonia Student Union, located at 1303 E. University Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85719.

The workshop hotel is the Tucson Marriott University Park. It is located in walking distance of the venue.

Travel Scholarships 

In an effort to create an inclusive conference that is within reach of all institutions, APS is providing a limited number of travel scholarships for those individuals whose travel costs will exceed the average costs of attendance. Individuals whose airline costs will exceed the average of $475 will be eligible to apply for a travel scholarship. The first $475 of an economy airline ticket would be the responsibility of the institution; costs beyond that would be covered by the travel scholarship. Scholarships will be given on a first come, first served basis. Institutions are limited to 3 applicants each. Further, these funds are for staff travel only, not administrators. 

 Individuals interested in applying for such help, should follow the directions below: 

 Please send an email to sbaker@aplu.org with the following information:  

  • Name of individual to be covered 
  • Title of individual 
  • Explanation of their duties in the academic programs’ office 
  • Please include a screenshot or pdf of the proposed itinerary from the airline’s website showing the cost. NOTE: Only economy seats are eligible. First or business class seats are not eligible.  
  • Provide a statement from the academic programs’ administrator verifying the budgetary need for travel support. 

What is the dress code?
The dress code throughout the meeting is casual or business casual attire and attendees are encouraged to wear their school colors to the opening reception on Monday, February 10.

Are there any optional tours available?
We are currently exploring a possible campus tour for Monday afternoon, but it has not been finalized at this point.

For those that are interested in the nearby Saguaro National Park, there is a local vendor that offer tours. APLU is not affiliated with nor endorses this vendor. Additional information can be found here.

Is the Workshop virtual or in-person?
The 2025 Academic Programs Staff Development Workshop is in-person with no virtual component available.

Who should attend this meeting?
Intended participants are staff within academic programs offices, including individuals who work with student recruitment; career services; study abroad coordination; advising support; undergraduate research administration; scholarship administration; diversity, equity, and inclusion training; and others.

Participants may also include administrators of academic programs including deans, associate and assistant deans, or department heads.

What does the registration fee cover?
The registration fee covers attendance at all sessions as well as the breakfasts on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday; Monday’s Welcome Reception; Monday and Tuesday lunch, and the networking breaks throughout the meeting. Some meetings are by invitation only and are so identified on the final agenda.