Congrats to our 2017 Professional Development Fund recipients!

Congrats to Ms. Katie Sensabaugh and Ms. Lucy Malenke!

Katie Sensabaugh is a Coordinator in the Office for Student Accountability and Restorative Practices and also teaches adjunct in the Department of Justice Studies. She earned a BA in Political Science and Justice Studies at JMU, and received an MPhil from the University of Cape Town in South Africa in Justice in Transformation and Conflict Resolution. Ms. Sensabaugh will use her award to attend the 2017 Pennsylvania Conference for Women in Philadelphia, PA. This conference is designed to engage in issues at the intersections of womanhood and professional life including topics relating to professional leadership, gender equity, and gender advocacy. In addition, Ms. Sensabaugh will be using the fund to provide an opportunity for a local high school student to participate in the Young Women’s Program part of the conference.

Lucy Bryan Malenke is a faculty member in the University Writing Center and the College of Health and Behavioral Studies. She will use the MCGE professional development grant to help bring to JMU representatives of the international nonprofit Narrative 4, whose mission is to foster “empathy by breaking down barriers and shattering stereotypes through the exchange of stories across the world.” Narrative 4’s representatives will conduct a certification workshop for 30-50 faculty, staff, students, and Harrisonburg community members who want to become “story exchange” facilitators. Story exchanges bring together people with different experiences, beliefs, perspectives, and worldviews; individuals exchange personal stories in pairs, then return to the larger group and share their partners’ stories in first-person. Lucy hopes this facilitator training will allow JMU and broader Harrisonburg to become sites where story exchanges regularly take place, helping to bridge differences, enhance inclusivity, and encourage healing and human connection.

Read more about the Professional Development Fund here.