From the Nominator

"The Smithsonian Advancement Academy is dedicated to providing learning and development programming to advancement staff through a variety of custom training and collaborative experiences. The academy is committed to ensuring that learning and development remain at the core of our culture and everyday work. It continues to invest time and resources in programs that provide opportunities to develop knowledge, share information, expand access, and create community. 

As a result, academy programming is integral to our continued success and is seen as a strategic tool to help us meet our goals. The scope and breadth of this program provides a strong foundation through:

• Courses, which are recurring and have been developed as functional tracks of study to improve performance and prepare staff for professional growth
• Seminars, which are offered on an ad hoc basis and include topics that focus on specialized skills and emerging trends within the field of advancement
• Forums that are held regularly and encompass a wide variety of advancement functions
• Orientation & on-boarding sessions that introduce new staff to the advancement community across the Smithsonian by building relationships and sharing the information that is critical to our success
• Other programming offerings, which include unique, customized experiences such as team retreats, book studies, and professional coaching

Of note is that the majority of these programs are designed, developed, and delivered by a "faculty" of advancement staff and key partners across the institution."

From the Judges

A well-thought out program that is taken seriously and has wide participation. The program is well communicated with centralized training. It shows a commitment to professional development and investment in staff and the learning culture.