Two W&L Staff Members Awarded Paid Professional Leave

By Brian Laubscher
January 24, 2025

Two Washington and Lee University staff members received a 30-day leave, with full pay, to advance some aspect of their career and work at the university. The 2024-25 Professional Leave awards went to Molly Myers, associate director of annual giving, and Molly Steele, dean of career and professional development.

Myers began her leave Jan. 20 and intends to learn more about artificial intelligence (AI) and how the technology can be integrated into the university's efforts to increase engagement and fundraising. She will also research best practices and ethical considerations when using AI in fundraising. She hopes to come away with recommendations for how University Advancement can and should utilize AI in their work.

"I am excited for the time to immerse myself in this increasingly important topic," Myers said. "I hope it allows me to grow professionally and become a resource for my colleagues."

Myers has already concluded introductory research on available AI platforms and has explored how they can be integrated with the technologies already employed by University Advancement. While on leave, Myers will also attend programming hosted by the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University and the Case District III Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida.

Steele expects to utilize the Professional Leave Program to research the potential for expanding student summer internship opportunities by collaborating with additional alumni chapters. She partnered with the Office of Alumni Engagement to pilot the summer internship program in Atlanta during the summer of 2023.

She will use her leave and funds to support travel to additional cities where she hopes to develop similar programming after meeting with chapter leaders and key alumni volunteers. Steele traveled to Charlotte, North Carolina, earlier in January and intends to visit Nashville, Tennessee, later in the month.

"The W&L alumni network continues to serve a key role in providing internships, mentorship and a professional network for our students," said Steele. "Partnering with chapter leaders has been a great way to support our students and provides an opportunity for alumni to give back in a very meaningful way. Expanding this partnership can potentially add dozens of new opportunities in the future."

Steele noted that she may schedule a visit to a third city depending on how travel schedules and funding play out. Her Charlotte trip resulted in the creation of three new internships and generated additional leads while creating positive alumni engagement.

The Professional Leave Program supports W&L's strong commitment to lifelong learning and exploring new approaches to staff's work. Eligible employees must have completed five continuous years of full-time service.

Written proposals should be submitted to the executive director of Human Resources, through the department director and the dean/vice president to whom the administrator reports. The proposal should include:

• The purpose of the leave
• The benefit of the leave to the employee and to Washington and Lee University
• Time frame for the leave
• Anticipated expenses for the leave
• A statement about how the work will be covered within the department
• VP or dean approval

A maximum of three awards will be made each year. The award recipient has one year to use the professional leave. Recipients of the award will be eligible for support to enhance their project for up to $2,500.

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