Faculty Professional Development Funds
Employee Learning & Development (ELAD) encourages you to access available funds for professional development activities related to your academic discipline, and/or to teaching and learning topics. Professional development activities may include professional and education workshops, conferences, meetings, webinars, professional memberships, etc.
Full-time faculty may request up to $500 for professional development activities.
Part-time faculty may request up to $250 for professional development activities.
- Please note: Professional Development Funds are to be used for activities occurring July 1–June 30 of the current academic year.
For District Part-Time Faculty (state-funded): Faculty should work with their dean and division assistant to obtain the necessary signatures and approval of the "Request for Faculty Travel and/or Use of Professional Development Funds" form. Faculty can submit the form to Faculty-Professional-Development@pierce.ctc.edu for processing. Please indicate in the subject line: “Part-Time Faculty Professional Development”
For JBLM Part-Time Faculty (specially funded): Funding may be available for part-time faculty to access, up to $500. Interested faculty should complete the "Request for Faculty Travel and/or Use of Professional Development Funds" form and submit it to the Dean of Instruction at JBLM for approval
Part-Time and Full-time Faculty – please send PD Funds requests to:
faculty-professional-development@pierce.ctc.edu
Request Process and Forms
- Complete the required Request for Use of Professional Development Funds form.
Link to Full-Time Faculty Request Form [IN FOLDER]Link to Part-Time Faculty Request Form [IN FOLDER]
2. Submit your completed Request Form to your Dean for approval.
If Request involves out-of-state travel and/or out-of-country (includes Hawaii) travel, approval from Vice Presidents and/or Chancellor is required.3. Once approved, email the completed and signed Request Form to Faculty-Professional-Development@pierce.ctc.edu for processing.
Full-Time Faculty: Indicate in the subject line “Full-Time Faculty Professional Development”Part-Time Faculty: Indicate in the subject line “Part-Time Faculty Professional Development”
Faculty Professional Development Funds FAQs
BEFORE YOUR EVENT
Do I need to complete this entire Request for Professional Development Funds form? How much detail is required?
To request professional development funds, the Request for Professional Development Funds form is required.
- Prior making any expenditures, you must complete the Request Form and obtain a signature from your Dean. Please note, that out-of-state or out-of-country travel, requires additional approval signatures from a Vice President and/or the Chancellor.
- Provide all details on the Request Form relevant to your request such as: the event name and location, the event dates, registration information, estimated expenses, justification of activity, etc.
- Provide attachments with relevant information to your Request – including agenda and registration/conference application forms. Please note, links to documentation will not be accepted.
Will the College register me for my event?
Yes. Your Professional Development contact can register you. Please make sure you provide all the necessary information to register you. Please note, some conference sites request extensive background information in order to register you – it is your responsibility to provide any required registration information.
My travel will require airfare. Can I make my own airline reservations?
No. Air travel must be arranged through, and paid by, Pierce College. Reimbursements will not be made for out-of-pocket airfare expenses.
Will Pierce College make my hotel arrangements?
No. You must reserve and pay for your hotel. You will be reimbursed the cost of your hotel after travel is completed. Please retain your receipts for reimbursement.
I will need a rental car. Can I make my own arrangements?
No. Rental cars must be arranged through, and paid by, Pierce College. To request a rental car, you must complete the Request for Car Rental form prior to your event. You will need to submit the completed Request for Car Rental form with your completed Request for Professional Development Funds form to Faculty-Professional-Development@pierce.ctc.edu for processing.
Link to Request Form for Enterprise Car Rental [IN FOLDER]
I will be missing class for my event. What do I need to do?
If you will miss class to attend a professional development activity, you will need to complete a Class Coverage form prior to your event. The Class Coverage form requires approval from your Dean and your Vice President of Learning and Student Success. It is your responsibility to obtain the necessary signatures on this form. You will need to submit the completed Class Coverage form with your completed Request for Professional Development Funds form to Faculty-Professional-Development@pierce.ctc.edu for processing.
Link to Class Coverage Form [IN FOLDER]
I paid for a professional development activity out-of-pocket. Can I be reimbursed with professional development funds after-the-fact?
Prior making any expenditures, you must complete the Request Form and obtain approval from your Dean. Expenses that have not received prior approval may not be eligible for reimbursement. You will need to talk with your Dean regarding your situation. Ultimately, it will be up to your Dean whether or not your out-of-pocket expenses will be eligible for reimbursement.
DURING YOUR EVENT
What sort of receipts do I need to retain for reimbursement purposes?
You will need to retain all of your receipts, except receipts for meals. Meals are reimbursed at a standard per diem rate. Your Professional Development contact will be able to tell you the rate at which your meals will be reimbursed.
The conference I attended provided me with breakfast and lunches. Am I able to claim these meals for reimbursement?
No. If you are provided a meal at a conference, you will not be able to claim that meal for reimbursement.
My hotel provided a continental breakfast, but I purchased breakfast on my own. Am I able to be reimbursed the cost of my breakfast?
No. If your hotel provides you with breakfast, you are not able to claim that meal for reimbursement, regardless if you purchased breakfast out-of-pocket.
AFTER YOUR EVENT
How am I reimbursed for mileage, per diem and hotel?
Reimbursement is made through a Travel Expense Voucher. You will need to submit all your receipts and other travel information related to your professional development activity within four weeks of the conclusion of the activity. Required information that your Professional Development contact will need to complete the form (as applicable to your request):
- Your mailing address and SID #
- Your driver’s license number
- The date and time that you left for your event
- The date and time that you returned from your event
- Meals that were provided
- Receipts for expenses, such as hotel, out-of-pocket, etc.
Please note, the Travel Expense Form requires your original signature on it. Forms that do not have an original signature will not be processed.
