Two staff members from the School of Public Policy, Shavon White and Jenny Cox, have been selected as recipients of the RISE Grant, a competitive award given to eligible Division of Academic Affairs staff seeking to grow their skills and knowledge through professional development opportunities.
The RISE Grant—which stands for Retain, Ignite, Skill building, and Exploration—awards $2,500 to selected staff members who have demonstrated excellence within their unit and a strong commitment to professional growth. The funding may be used for expenses related to attending conferences, workshops, webinars and other learning opportunities that advance job-related skills.
“Receiving the RISE Grant is incredibly meaningful to me—it affirms the value of investing in staff growth and reinforces my commitment to lifelong learning,” said White. “This opportunity will empower me to pursue development that aligns with both my passions and evolving career goals, and gives me the flexibility to explore what’s next in my professional journey.”
Cox echoed that sentiment, noting, “Receiving the RISE Grant is both incredibly humbling and energizing — it’s a reminder that the work I’m doing matters, and it motivates me to keep growing, because none of us ever truly stops learning.”
The grant highlights the University’s ongoing efforts to support staff development and retention, and to cultivate a workplace culture that values growth, curiosity and continuous learning.