Section 8: Professional Development Resources and Funding
We know that new faculty will have lots of questions and appreciate having someone to consult for answers. That’s why SFCC has put a mentoring program in place for our new academic hires. As a new faculty member, you will be assigned a mentor, preferably someone who teaches in the same discipline area as you. Mentors are usually recommended by your department chair and dean with the help of the faculty development coordinator. For more information, contact Jessica Hoppe, Director of SFCC’s Center for Engaged Teaching and Learning.
1.5K Fund
All full-time faculty have access to this independent professional development fund. This $1,500 “grant of funds” (1.5K Fund) is to be utilized over a two year cycle. The most recent cycle begins with the 21-22 school year. Funds may be accessed in any increments within the limit over the two-year cycle. The fund is zeroed out at the end of the two-year cycle, regardless of whether the full $1,500 was expended.
Airfare reservations must be reserved through Global Travel or through your Department Assistant who can make reservations online. Approval for travel must be received from your Department Chair. There are no exceptions. Call the CCS travel fiscal specialist, Ken DelMese, (509) 434-5284 or the Vice President of Learning Office, (509) 533-3538 if you have questions prior to making specific arrangements.
For more information, or to apply, go to the link below and scroll down until you see a section for 1.5k Fund Application
Faculty Development Funds
SFCC is committed to providing support for on-going faculty/professional development. Faculty Development provides Professional Development Funds to be utilized over a two-year cycle (current cycle is July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2026). Funds may be accessed in various amounts over the two-year cycle and will reset to zero at the beginning of the new cycle and there is no carry-over. Part-Time Faculty are eligible for up to $600 over the two-year cycle while Full Time Faculty are eligible for up to $450.
The following are ways that SFCC provides support for on-going faculty/professional development:
- Provide mentors to new faculty.
- Offer Brown Bag seminars, panel discussions, and workshops.
- Sustain support for national & regional cross-disciplinary Faculty Development conferences.
- Increase faculty awareness of Faculty Development opportunities.
If you would like to learn more about applying for Faculty Development Funds, please contact Jessica Hoppe.
Diversity/Equity Committee Mini-Grants
The mission of the Diversity and Equity Committee is to foster a culture of inclusiveness (safe, positive, and nurturing environment) in which diversity is respected and celebrated on our campus, and to encourage institutional efforts to actively redress historic and current inequities of opportunity constructed along the lines of our diversity.
The DEC committee funds faculty mini-grants for activities that promote their mission and hosts faculty workshops and campus presentations. If you are interested in joining the Diversity and Equity committee or would like to learn more about applying for a DEC mini-grant, watch for emails. Link to DEGA Intranet page.
Washington State Employee Tuition Waiver
As an employee of Washington State, you have another benefit to take advantage of, you can take college classes at a state college or university for reduced tuition and a limited number of credit hours per quarter. In Eastern Washington, we would most likely seek out coursework at SFCC, SCC, EWU, or WSU.
There are several rules and regulations associated with this privilege, so it’s wise to get acquainted with them. Generally speaking, a WA state faculty member must teach at least a 50% workload to be eligible, and there must be a “seat available” in the class you wish to take, which means you’ll have to wait until the third day of the quarter to determine if there’s room for you. Also, the waiver applies only to Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters and does not apply to summer classes, when state institutions move to “self-supporting” economic mode. Some schools add other requirements.
For instance, EWU requires that a state employee must apply for and enroll in a degree plan before the tuition waiver is honored.
Forms are involved, naturally, and one part of the paperwork is that a form needs to be run through CCS’s Human Resources to verify your employment status at SFCC and eligibility. The policies and procedures and an application form are available on most schools’ web sites.
SFCC’s tuition waiver policies and procedures and the application form are found on the District page of our website, under Employee Tools, and in the Forms A-Z list.
You can also call SFCC contact Matthew Rabon, (509) 533-3432.
Eastern Washington University has its own policies, procedures, and form for the Washington State Employee Tuition Waiver. You will need to contact EWU Human Resources directly for more information at hr@ewu.edu or (509) 359-2381.
Washington State University also has its own policies, procedures, and form for the Washington State Employee Tuition Waiver. You will need to contact WSU Human Resources directly for more information at hrs@wsu.edu or (509) 335-4521.
