Training Programs for Advancement Staff

Key Insights

This brief analyzes training programs for advancement staff at large research universities. Specifically, it examines how organizational development teams design, deliver, and evaluate training programs.

Key observations from our research

1. Advancement staff attend trainings on institutional policies and procedures, professional development, campus history and culture, software and technology, and health and wellness.

2. Advancement training teams provide courses specific to employee role, leadership positions, and university campaigns.

3. Development officers design training curriculum internally, but partner with other university departments and outside vendors on course delivery.

4. Most training sessions occur in person, although officers hope to develop more virtual content.

5. Administrators designate orientations and fundamental trainings as mandatory and invite staff to attend both required and optional sessions.

6. Development officers use surveys and informal conversations to monitor the effectiveness of their training programs.