FACS logo

Susan Hale Brooks Professional Development Staff Award

Purpose

To promote and provide professional development opportunities to staff within the College of Family and Consumer Sciences. Preference shall be given to staff employees within the College who exemplify the mission and values of the college.

Susan Hale Brooks, a native of Athens, served the University of Georgia for thirty-seven years. Prior to her employment at the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, she worked in the College of Education. She was the Office Manager of the Department of Housing and Consumer Economics in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences for the last twenty-eight years. During this time, she served six department heads and won the prestigious college staff award, the Nettie Marie Nickols Award, two times for her outstanding and consistent service.

She also was one of the original FACS 100 Legacies.

Eligibility

  • Applicants shall have at least one year of employment in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences.
  • Staff members with a permanent appointment of 75% time or greater are eligible for nomination.
  • Previous recipients will be ineligible for the subsequent three years.

Criteria

  1. The Susan Hale Brooks Professional Development Staff Award will be based on the current needs of professional development by each individual staff member.
  2. Professional development should be outside of the normally funded activities.
  3. The funds should make available something new to enhance the abilities and morale of the College’s staff employees.
  4. The funds do not have to be used in Athens, Georgia, or be limited to the state of Georgia.
  5. Applicants should uphold and demonstrate high standards of work performance, innovation and creativity, congenial relationships with co-workers, and commitment and loyalty to the College.
  6. Applicants will receive additional consideration if professional development has been discussed and documented with the department or unit head or direct supervisor in the prior year's Staff Performance Review.
  7. Examples of payable expenses include, but are not limited to:
    • Conference and registration fees
    • Leadership training
    • Certification programs
    • Special guest speaker fees and expenses

All lodging must be located more than fifty miles from the employee’s office. Any lodging within fifty miles must involve overnight travel. Please reference the current University of Georgia travel policy and meal per diem guidelines. Expenses not included in the award guidelines will be the responsibility of the recipient.

How to Apply

Each candidate must submit a letter of request in addition to a supporting letter from the individual’s department or unit head or direct supervisor.

Each supervisor within the College of Family and Consumer Sciences is eligible to submit a request for an employee, provided the packet contains the appropriate supporting documents from the candidate.

Submit the nomination packet electronically to facsdean@uga.edu no later than January 30. The packet must include:

  1. A letter of request written by the employee discussing the proposed professional development opportunity and its value to the employee, unit, or college.
  2. A supporting letter from the supervisor.
  3. Supporting documentation related to the proposed professional development program and associated costs.
  4. The total nomination packet may not exceed six pages.

The recipient will be recognized at the Spring College Assembly.

Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee consisting of the previous year’s recipient, members of the FACS Staff Council, and one external member. Committee members with a conflict of interest or who are applicants themselves must recuse themselves from the process.

Applicants will be ranked according to:

  • Staff performance
  • Need for the proposed professional development
  • Department head or supervisor recommendation
  • Supporting documentation and costs related to the proposal

Based on committee recommendations, the Dean will notify recipients and unsuccessful applicants of the results.

Budget and Allowable Expenses

The combined total awarded to recipients shall not exceed $600 in a fiscal year. Awards are provided on an as-needed basis and administered through the FACS Staff Council.

Recipients are not required to be selected every year if applications do not meet the established criteria.

Deadline

January 30, 5:00 p.m.

Jump to top