Original Post Date: February 11, 2022

Here in the GEAR UP community, we take student success very seriously. Making sure our students have what they need for a bright future is why we come to work each day and go above and beyond.

Yet, these efforts don’t pull from bottomless wells. To better help students, we each need to occasionally refill our own well so that we can bring our best self to support students and families.

Professional development opportunities are a great way to pause and refill our wells of knowledge, resources, and tools. This opportunity to learn more about the college and career landscape, what other GEAR UP programs are doing, and finding a piece of connection and inspiration are what these events are all about. 

Now, more than ever, we need each other to learn from, lean on, and connect with. As we get ready for the NCCEP/GEAR UP Capacity-Building Workshop next week, I wondered why others prioritize professional development. So, I asked some of the presenters at the upcoming event to chime in on the question: Why do you prioritize professional development?

“Prioritizing professional development is critical to staying relevant with ever-changing trends, to learn, share and re-energize to reach the goal of impacting student achievement.” - Elizabeth Manuel, Senior Director of Student Services, West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission

 “I am always trying to grow and improve my knowledge and skills – that only happens if I am intentional about seeking and engaging in professional development opportunities.” - Andrea Gonzalez-Sotelo, Assistant Director, Arizona GEAR UP

 “I prioritize professional development because it is important for me to expand my knowledge, keep well-informed of current trends and best practices, and strengthen my effectiveness in teambuilding and leadership.” - Jenny Moran, Academic Content Manager, Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance 

I hope you, like these speakers, are ready to prioritize your professional development and engage with one another. Your dedication and passion are what keeps the GEAR UP movement going, and we can’t wait for these 3-days of learning. 

See you there!