A Learning Community for Academic Specialists
This learning community builds upon the Path to Promotion webinar and workshop series from spring 2024. In it, specialists from around MSU and across functional areas will gather to study the reappointment, award of continuing status, and promotion processes in the academic specialist appointment system. Across five one-hour in-person discussions, we will consider the components of a successful dossier and the timeline and workflow of the review year. We will focus on strategies for preparing for a successful review, from a specialist’s arrival on campus to submission of the dossier.
Participants should view or review the corresponding Path to Promotion webinar recording from Spring 2024 prior to attending each conversation. Each webinar recording suggested some tasks to complete and concluded with a list of resources to review. The purpose of the in-person discussions is to debrief and problem-solve the experience of specialists who are working on those follow-up activities as they progress toward promotion or related actions. These meetings will not include substantial exposition on the topics covered in each webinar, to ensure plenty of time for discussion and questions. The goal is to provide mentoring to specialists, by specialists, in a group context.
In addition to those working toward promotion or a related action, we strongly encourage those who have recently pursued those actions to participate and share the resource of your experience with our community. Your leadership and service to the institution are needed!
In April, we will again offer the in-person workshop for specialists looking for feedback on materials as they prepare for the review process in the 2025-26 review cycle or beyond.
Whether you are new to MSU and the specialist system or have been in your specialist role for several years, it’s never too early to think about planning for success in the review process. Please join your specialist colleagues for this networking and learning opportunity. Previous attendance at last spring’s webinar series is not required to register. However, all registrants should review each webinar recording prior to attending the related learning community meeting.
Fall 2024 – Spring 2025
All sessions will be in the Main Library, room W207 except as listed.
November 13, 2024 from 3:30 – 4:30 The Meaning of Promotion
December 12, 2024 from 11:30 – 12:30 Compiling Evidence for Promotion
January 17, 2025 from 3:30 – 4:30 The Review Process
February 10, 2025 from 11:30 – 12:30 The Promotion Dossier
March 11, 2025 from 3:30 – 4:30 Using Evidence to Make Your Case
Click here to register to attend one or more of these sessions.
April 9, 2025 from 11:00 – 2:00 Academic Specialist Review Workshop (location TBD)
Registration for this session is coming soon!
Questions about the series? Contact AcSpecialistAdvCom@msu.edu.