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Faculty Development

Faculty Development Programming

Faculty Development programming from the Institute for Faculty Excellence (IFEX) is guided by the MCC Creating Excellent Learning Experiences model. Sessions are offered throughout the year at various campuses, online, and remotely via Zoom. Learn about the programs we offer for faculty and view our calendar on this page, then visit the IFEX registration site to register.

New Faculty Institute

The MCC New Faculty Institute (NFI) is a quarter-long cohort program that welcomes and orients new full-time instructors, introducing them to MCC’s mission, culture, programs, resources, and community of teaching and learning. Topics include instructional and student support resources at MCC, teaching strategies that support student learning, and resources for continued professional development. New faculty participate in the NFI during the first fall quarter of their full-time employment as an instructor at MCC. For more information about NFI, please contact Naomi Mardock Uman, director of Faculty Development and NFI facilitator.

adjunct faculty institute

New adjunct instructors can find information and resources for teaching at MCC through the Adjunct Faculty Institute (AFI). The AFI offers a Canvas resources course and a quarterly evening session for new adjunct instructors. The Canvas course covers essential information for teaching at MCC. Part-time faculty members are invited to attend the quarterly AFI session to meet colleagues, ask questions, and get support for teaching and learning at MCC. Send an email to Faculty Development to request access to the AFI Resources Canvas course. Look for upcoming AFI sessions on the IFEX registration site.

Faculty Learning Communities

Faculty Learning Communities (FLCs) are faculty-led, interdisciplinary groups that meet over the course of an academic year for collaboration, support, and learning around a teaching question, problem, or passion. FLCs support the growth of individual participants as well as raise awareness of the topic in the wider faculty community at MCC through presentations, workshops, or materials shared by FLC participants at the end of the year. New FLCs are announced at the start of the academic year.

Current and Past FLCs

22-23: Cultivating a Culture of Mindfulness in Your World, Your Classroom, and Beyond - Katie Hupp, facilitator
21-22: The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning - Sheryl Mason, facilitator
21-22: Developing a Stress-Informed, Mindful Lens to Transform the Classroom Experience for Faculty and Studies - Katie Hupp and Melissa Tayles, facilitators

Call for FLC Topic Proposals: IFEX is currently developing FLCs for 23-24. To discuss an idea for an FLC, contact Naomi Mardock Uman.

Teaching, Learning, and Technology Roundtables

A collaboration between the Institute for Faculty Excellence and Instructional Design Services, Teaching, Learning, and Technology Roundtables (TLTRs) offer opportunities for faculty and staff to collaborate around teaching challenges, discuss current and emerging instructional technologies, and build knowledge of effective instructional strategies. At TLTRs, faculty and staff from across the College connect and learn from each other and from occasional guest presenters. TLTRs meet on select Thursdays, 3-4p.m., at varying campus locations and always on Zoom. For the TLTR schedule and Zoom link, visit the IFEX registration site.

Call for TLTR topic suggestions and discussion leaders: Do you have a teaching, learning, or instructional technology topic, question, or challenge that you would like to share and discuss with colleagues? Let us know here.

Practicing Excellent Teaching Strategies Series (PETS)

The PETS Series is a long-running series of faculty development courses facilitated by MCC faculty and staff. Courses in this series teach faculty new skills, raise awareness of important instructional issues, and facilitate community-building among the faculty. To view and register for upcoming PETS courses, visit the IFEX registration site.

Teaching High School Students in College

Join faculty and staff in a discussion of effective practices for teaching high school students in college. The sessions will center around participants' questions, concerns, ideas, and experiences with the goal of supporting instructors as they support high school students' entry into post-secondary education. Teaching High School Students in College is a quarterly virtual roundtable hosted by Secondary Partnerships and the Institute for Faculty Excellence. To look for an upcoming session, visit the IFEX registration site. To request access to the accompanying Canvas resource site, email Faculty Development.

IFEX Winter Reading Groups

Spend some time in the cold of winter reading, learning, and sharing with colleagues. Each winter quarter, we select a book related to teaching and learning, meet to discuss the text, and come away with new strategies and inspiration. Submit your book ideas for the Winter 23-24 IFEX Winter Reading Group here. 

Winter Reading Group selections

Winter 22-23: Grading for Equity What It Is, Why It Matters, and How It Can Transform Schools and Classrooms 
Winter 21-22: Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain: Promoting Authentic Engagement and Rigor Among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students
Winter 20-21: Teachin' It!: Breakout Moves that Break Down Barriers for Community College Students

IFEX Teaching and Learning Symposium

Scheduled for the spring Faculty Development Day, the symposium is an opportunity for colleagues across the College to engage in thoughtful conversations about teaching and assessment strategies, course designs, instructional technology, and student support.  The Call for Proposals for the 2024 Teaching and Learning Symposium will go out in early January.

Curriculum and Instruction "Happy Hours"

Join the Curriculum and Instruction team for informal discussions of teaching and learning topics. Light refreshments served in FOC 12N or join the conversation via Zoom. See the IFEX registration site for C & I Happy Hour schedule and Zoom link.

Additional faculty development programming

Browse the IFEX registration site and keep an eye out for emails from Faculty Development with additional opportunities throughout the year. To suggest topics or a request a session for your faculty group or department, contact Naomi Mardock Uman, director of Faculty Development at 531-MCC-4736.