New Training Program Offers Educational Opportunities for University Faculty and Staff

ALBANY, N.Y. (April 21, 2016) – Christine Priest has a passion for teaching, and helping others to further their education. Her new role at the University has her accomplishing both.

Christine Priest (pictured above) was recently hired as UAlbany's coordinator of training and development.

Priest was recently hired as UAlbany’s coordinator of training and development. Through the position, she is leading the implementation of a new University-wide training program.

The program, which will consist of mostly online courses, ensures faculty and staff are meeting federal, state, and University training requirements, as well as staying on the forefront of research and development in their respective fields of work.

Once developed, new hires will begin the program’s courses at orientation, acquainting them with the University’s policies, procedures, and employee benefits. From there, faculty and staff will participate in professional development courses, along with mandated training classes like “ethics,” and “prevention of workplace violence.” Employee progress can be tracked through an internal system, which Priest will monitor.

“In implementing this program, we are looking to meet the University’s mandated training obligations, while also better meeting the needs and interests of faculty and staff,” Priest said. “I’m looking forward to working with our employees to advance their education. It will benefit the entire UAlbany community.”

Priest has worked in the field of adult education for the majority of her career. She started with SUNY Research Foundation’s Professional Development Program 14 years ago. Since then, she’s been charged with researching, developing, and presenting live and pre-recorded trainings, e-learning courses, webinars, and teleconferences, along with hosting guest speakers.

Priest said she will bring many of the same learning platforms to UAlbany’s program, while also being open to community suggestions. She is planning to conduct an on-campus assessment to ensure the training needs/wants of faculty and staff will be met.

“I’m very excited to join the University. This is a community that’s doing exceptional work on campus and beyond,” Priest said. “By working together on creating a successful training program, we can make the University even stronger than it already is.”

Faculty and staff are encouraged to contact Priest directly for more information. Specifically, she would like to speak about trainings that have worked well in the past, and what faculty and staff are most interested in learning going forward. Priest can be contacted by email at [email protected].

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