Planning Committee for the Fall 2002 Adjunct Faculty Professional Growth Conference: (from left to right) Pat Marchok (Paradise Valley Community College), Paula Garner (Paradise Valley Community College), and Vilja Thompson (Scottsdale Community College).

Participants at the Adjunct Faculty Professional Growth Conference, October 19, at Phoenix College.

Every semester, over 4,400 adjunct faculty join our full-time faculty in providing quality education to the students at the Maricopa Community Colleges. They teach at least half of the courses we offer, especially the evening sessions, and many come to Maricopa with vast experience and knowledge in their fields. Because we appreciate and value what adjunct faculty do for our students and our colleges, in 1999, the MCLI identified as a major goal "to expand support of adjunct faculty professional development." Although the events sponsored by MCLI have always been open to all faculty, we believed that we could always do more to help our adjunct faculty be included at every level of the educational process. We have reached out and encouraged our adjunct faculty to participate in professional development opportunities, and have made some progress. Adjunct faculty are taking part in events we sponsor, such as our dialogue days, learnshops, and learning grants. In the coming years, we will continue to take steps to strengthen our connection to our part-time instructors.

Beginning this fall, our services and support to adjunct faculty have expanded. The MCLI will administer the Adjunct Faculty Professional Growth program, previously supported by Employee and Organizational Development. This program, in accordance with the District Adjunct Faculty Board Policies, offers funding support for Maricopa part-time faculty who wish to participate in professional development opportunities such as seminars, workshops, and conferences. The goal of the program is to help adjunct faculty increase their knowledge and skills, enhance their teaching role, and upgrade their professional skills. Funds do not pay for personal growth activities, professional obligations, membership fees, tours, or admission costs.

This program is available to individuals employed as adjunct, certified instructors by one or more of the Maricopa Community Colleges. Each applicant can be reimbursed for a maximum of $500 per fiscal year. Funds are divided into two funding cycles: July 1st through December 31st and January 1st through June 30th. The start date of the applicant's teaching assignment and the start date of the event or activity must occur during the same funding session.

Adjunct Faculty News

The Adjunct Faculty Association held its annual conference on October 19 at Phoenix College. The event is open to all Maricopa faculty. Conference attendees participated in professional development opportunities related to use of technology in teaching -- Blackboard and PowerPoint, classroom survival tips, issues of Diversity, and hiring practices at the Maricopa Community Colleges.

To learn more about the Adjunct Faculty Association and the ways they support our adjunct faculty, visit their web site:
http://www.dist.maricopa.edu/afa/

Maria Harper-Marinick, Ph.D., mcli

Adjunct Faculty Professioanl Growth web site
http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/afpg/