Core Exchange: A Professional Development Program for Shared Resource Personnel

Academic institutions often struggle to meet the unique professional development needs of shared resource personnel, who require business skills, project and people management expertise, and an active, collaborative network of shared resource colleagues.

We launched the Vanderbilt Core Exchange professional development and networking program in 2020. The program was intentionally designed with core personnel input and supports faculty and staff from more than 80 shared resources across Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Resources offered include a quarterly seminar series with both virtual and in-person events, a website for accessing professional development materials and session recordings, and a dedicated online discussion group for core personnel networking.

There have been 11 Vanderbilt Core Exchange events to date: 2 in person and 9 virtual. In-person events averaged 35 attendees, and virtual events averaged 45 attendees. Topics included equipment grant writing, marketing, handling difficult conversations, managing different workplace work styles, communication and project management tools, and the importance of self-care. Survey responses collected after each event were highly positive and informed areas of improvement and future event topics.

This model of local shared resource professional development serves as a template for institutions who desire to create opportunities for collaboration and community building. With a small coordinating committee of dedicated individuals, an institution-wide professional development and networking program can be successfully established even with limited resources.