APEX (Advancing Professional Excellence) Network

APEX (Advancing Professional Excellence) is an informal peer-to-peer support network that exists to connect likeminded professionals at Flinders University.

APEX developed organically and informally through a group of likeminded Flinders staff who are interested in their own professional development.

The intent of APEX is to deliver a series of inspiring and thought-provoking activities to encourage curiosity and self-efficacy in managing your career at Flinders. APEX also helps signpost services and support available from other Flinders divisions like PDU and P&C.

With this in mind, a mission statement and a series of values and aims have been developed.

Find more

Upcoming events

Past events

24 September: Networking at Conferences

11 September: Preparing for your Performance Development Review

8 August: Financial Literacy: How to maximise the financial benefits of your career with Theresa Parkinson and Tristan Barnes of UniSuper

24 July: Learning the Art of Networking: A Critical Skill for Career Success with Callista Thillou, Executive Director, Communications, Marketing and Engagement

27 June: APEX Networking Hour with Mark Gregory, Vice-President (Corporate Services)

8 May: Leadership and Self-Mastery Workshop with Juan Smith, Manager Space & Facilities Planning

8 March: ‘My Journey’ with Kerrie Campbell, Chief Information Officer, Information and Digital Services

Mission statement

To encourage, support and inspire Flinders University staff to take an active role in developing professional excellence.

Values

Inclusive
Curious
Supportive
Proactive

Aims

To connect likeminded people across the University and encourage supportive professional relationships
To inspire people to be curious and confident about their own professional potential; and
To support staff in exploring and examining the broader higher education environment

Activities

The types of activities APEX proposes to run include:

An annual ‘Big Picture Update’
- Seminar style session focused on trends and changes in higher education and how these may impact Flinders now and in the future
‘My Journey’ series
- Semi-regular lunchtime sessions with leaders from across Flinders covering topics such as why they chose higher education, what they think has been integral to their success, things they’ve learned about our industry, advice they would give to their younger selves
Special events and workshops
- These may cover topics like mindfulness and self-mastery, networking successfully, and being resilient in the workplace

What has been achieved so far

Connected a group of likeminded people to workshop the mission, values and aim of the APEX Network
Gained the support of the Professional Development Unit and People and Culture, taking a collaborative whole-university approach to staff development
Produced a webpage and generic email account for staff to find key information and connect with the network.
Organised the first My Journey event and the first workshop.