UMSI Staff Professional Development & Mentorship (PDM) Office Hours with Judy Schabel

Posted: March 2025

Introduction

UMSI Staff members are welcome to meet with Judy Schabel, Assistant Dean for Professional Development and Mentorship (PDM), for assistance with identifying resources and options that may align with your professional development and/or mentorship needs and interests. PDM Office Hours is an optional, informal avenue to help you navigate the many professional development & mentorship resources and opportunities available at U-M and beyond.

It is important to also speak with your supervisor about your professional development and mentorship needs and plans. You may also choose to seek input from Heidi Skrzypek, Director of Human Resources and Executive Support, Judan Flanagan, Associate Director of Human Resources, or Scott Staelgraeve, Chief Administrative Officer.

Purpose

The purpose of PDM Office Hours is to help foster a culture of professional development and mentorship across UMSI by assisting staff members, supervisors and unit directors with exploring and navigating professional development and mentorship resources and opportunities.

Goals

• Help UMSI staff members with identifying potential professional development and mentorship resources and options aligning with their needs and interests

• Support supervisors and/or unit directors with identifying resources and options for themselves and/or for team or unit training, retreats and/or strategic planning 

Expectations

• Staff members can expect an informal approach that is non-judgmental and supportive, focused on helping you navigate the many available resources, avenues and approaches to professional development and mentorship. 

• Note that pursuing professional development or mentorship activity does not directly lead to promotions or job changes, but it may enhance your performance and satisfaction in your current role and may support future growth in or outside of UMSI.  

• The focus is not to provide expert advice on every field or functional area, but rather, to help you identify sources of expert guidance for your field or functional area. 

• While you are encouraged to bring questions and topics to discuss, no specific preparation is needed. 

Confidentiality

Consultations will be confidential within the following parameters:

• Personal or professional information shared during consultations will be shared only with your consent or at your request.

• Topics or resources discussed for professional development and mentorship may be shared in aggregated, non-identifiable forms for awareness within the school.

• Exceptions to confidentiality may occur if there is a perceived risk of harm to the individual or others, in which steps will be taken in accordance with university policies.

• NOTE: I am not a Confidential Resource, but I can connect you with a Confidential Resource if you would prefer to speak with someone confidentially. I do have reporting obligations. This means I connect people who share that they may have experienced sexual or gender-based misconduct with the Equity, Civil Rights & Title IX Office (ECRT).

Office Hours Access 

Typically one PDM office hours meeting, with follow up via email to provide resources or to check in will be sufficient. If appointments are available and there is interest, staff may sign up for a follow up meeting. After 6 months, staff may sign up again for PDM Office Hours.

Scheduling

To sign up for PDM Office Hours, visit Judy Schabel’s appointment booking page. If the times offered do not meet your needs or you have a consistent conflict, email Judy at jmlawson@umich.edu and offer a few meeting times that work for you. Meetings will be held via Zoom (link provided upon scheduling) or by arrangement in person. 

About Judy Schabel

Judy Schabel brings over thirty years of experience in higher education at the University of Michigan, including career counseling and advising undergraduates, graduate students and alumni; staff supervision, training, coaching and mentoring; team training and team building; academic and student affairs; diversity, equity & inclusion initiatives; conflict mediation, strategic planning and change management. Judy holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, a Master’s Degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs, and a PhD in Higher Education Administration. Judy’s experience and time is now directed towards addressing the professional development and mentorship needs of UMSI staff, faculty and PhD students.