Multicultural Student Affairs defines professional development as attending regional, national, and/or international conferences, support for graduate and professional school admission tests, and student exchange opportunities that strengthen a student’s academic pursuits, develops student leadership skills, or enhances student engagement with different cultures and communities.
Professional Development Funding
Up to $200 maximum per student per academic year may be provided.
Funding amount will depend on the type of professional development requested including whether a student is presenting at an academic conference, requesting funds to support study abroad or graduate school admissions tests, or applying as a part of a larger group. Groups of students who are attending a conference or event should submit an application and identify all eligible students who are requesting funds.
MSA Staff will review submitted applications and determine the specific dollar amount which will be funded based upon the Professional Development Application that is submitted and available funding. Applications will be reviewed once a month. Factors such as cost of attendance, availability of funds, and the number of applications received will vary the amount awarded and therefore, students may not be awarded the full amount requested.
- Conference registration
- Graduate and Professional School Admission Test fees
- Study Abroad and National Student Exchange registration fees
- Must be currently enrolled at Iowa State University;
- Must have a 2.0 Cumulative GPA, not be on academic/disciplinary probation, and not have a financial/registration hold on university records;
- Students must document efforts to secure additional professional development funding from other departments on campus (Division of Student Affairs, academic colleges, major departments, external sources, etc.);
- Students may receive funding a maximum of 1 time per academic year, up to 4 times through a student’s undergraduate academic career;
- Applicants should expect to pay a portion of their own costs;
- Students will receive an email response indicating whether or not their Professional Development funding application was approved or denied;
- The Professional Development awards are reimbursements made after the conference, event, or activity. The reimbursement process requires receipts, and reimbursements may take place 30-60 days after receipts are submitted. Additionally, receipts need to show that the applicant paid for the professional development opportunity.
- Travel expenses (including meals, gas, vehicle rentals, flights and related expenses)
- Costs associated with service learning trips.
- Membership fees for organizations/clubs, graduate and professional school application fees.
- Textbooks, software, electronic equipment, magazine/book subscriptions, or other course related materials.
Contact Jordan Brooks at omsa@iastate.edu