Professional Development

Professional development for Professional and Scientific Employees at Iowa State University has long been a priority for the Professional and Scientific Council. We believe that investing in your personal and professional growth is also an investment in the university’s success. Through the work of the Professional Development Committee and the Professional Development Conference Sub-Committee, the council hosts monthly Seminar Series events and plans an annual full-day conference. These offerings focus on topics relevant to P&S employees and are designed to support their ongoing development. The goals of these activities are to help employees build new skills, strengthen existing ones, access valuable resources, connect with others, and engage in meaningful conversations.

Connect with the Professional Development Committee at pands-pd@iastate.edu.

Each year the Professional Development committee organizes a conference designed for P&S employees. This conference is the perfect opportunity to invest in your personal growth, expand your skills, and contribute to your long-term success within the university. Whether you're looking to improve your technical capabilities, refine your soft skills, or stay ahead of workplace trends, there’s something here for you. More information about the 2026 conference will be provided in the fall.

Join us for the 2026 conference, Pieces to Possibilities. The puzzle theme for this year’s event encourages us to seek where we can connect with others; to look at problems from different angles; and to not be afraid to try something new. As A. J. Jacobs writes, “Puzzles can shift our worldview. They can nudge us to adopt the puzzle mindset- a mindset of ceaseless curiosity about everything in the world, and a desire to find solutions.”

The Professional and Scientific Council hosts presentations, seminars, and workshops on topics of relevance to P&S employees through our Council Seminar Series. The Seminar Series events are led by our Professional Development Committee (pands-pd@iastate.edu), and announcements for upcoming events are made via the Council Newsletter. All P&S employees and guests are welcome to attend. Please join us and bring questions for the speaker(s).

You can pre-register for all events and attend virtual events in Workday Learning. If you are not familiar with Workday Learning, you can find instructions through this Knowledge Base Article.

Upcoming Seminar Series:

Check back soon for 2026 Seminar Series