Faculty in Progress Program (FIPP) 2002-2003

Program Description

The Faculty in Progress Program (FIPP) is a recruitment and professional development effort open to all Maricopa employees who want to become full-time faculty. FIPP is the result of the work of the Faculty Recruitment Commission, established in the fall of 2000. The Commission's goals were to suggest changes to faculty hiring policies and procedures, develop a "grow your own" program, and develop/ promote best practices. FIPP addresses the "grow your own" goal.

The program responds to several needs: 1) a large number of residential faculty in Maricopa will be eligible for retirement over the next three to five years and Maricopa may be hiring more than 100 faculty each year for the next decade; 2) Maricopa demographics are changing and the Governing Board has adopted a goal that indicates that students will be served by faculty and staff who reflect the communities we serve and who create an environment of equity and mutual respect of each person.

The main purpose of the two-semester internship is to provide, under the guidance of a mentor, professional development activities that result in knowledge and skills needed to be competitive in the pursuit of a residential teaching position. The program in no way guarantees a job. FIPP Faculty Interns, when applying for a residential faculty position, must complete the same selection process as any other applicant.

Program Update

FIPP was implemented as a pilot program during the academic year 2001-2002. Eleven interns participated representing each of the 10 Maricopa colleges and the District Office. Five interns have been hired as full-time teaching faculty as of August 15, 2002.

During the spring of 2002, a program evaluation was conducted. Data were collected primarily through surveys and questionnaires administered to FIPP Faculty Interns, mentors, members of the Faculty Recruitment Commission, members of the Faculty Executive Council, college presidents, deans of instruction, and other interested parties. Results of the evaluation became the basis for program improvements, including changes to the application and selection processes and application materials, as well as a more comprehensive professional development plan.

For the academic year 2002-2003, 14 individuals have been selected as FIPP Faculty Interns. The program is funding eleven Interns, one for each of the 10 colleges and the District Office. The three additional Interns are being fully funded by the colleges that selected them. Faculty Interns are required to participate in a variety of professional development activities planned by both the FIPP professional development team and by the Interns' colleges and mentors. Each Faculty Intern, with guidance from the mentor, has also developed a learning contract that outlines the goals and activities to be accomplished during the internship.

2002-2003 FIPP Interns

Maria Harper-Marinick, Ph.D., mcli

Faculty in Progress Program
http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/fipp/