Faculty Development Opportunities

An index to programs at Concordia College, 2005-06

The College supports faculty development with programs available in each of the following areas:

I.                     General Faculty Development

II.                   Conference Attendance

III.                 Professional Development Support for Research and Scholarly Activities 

IV.                Pedagogy and Professional Development Support for Teaching Effectiveness

V.                  Faith and the Liberal Arts (Dovre Center for Faith and Learning)

VI.                Lilly Grant Opportunities: Exploring Vocation at Concordia College

VII.              International Education

Basic information on both competitive and broad-based programs is listed below.  For a complete description of programs and information concerning eligibility requirements and application and reporting procedures, see Chapter 4 in the Faculty Handbook or contact the person(s) indicated in the descriptions below.  Application forms are found at http://www4.cord.edu/acadAffairs/forms/Default.asp.

I.  General  Faculty Development 

Professional Development Funds:  Full time, continuing faculty members are eligible to receive an individual allotment up to $1000 annually.  Updated information regarding this fund is announced in April.

Summer Workshops:  Provide opportunities for professional growth.  Topics are announced in April; participants receive daily stipends for attendance.

II. Conference Attendance

Each year the Academic Affairs office sponsors faculty attendance at the following conferences:

                        The Vocation of a Lutheran College Conference (summer)

Nobel Conference  “The Legacy of Einstein”  September 27 & 28

Fall Collaboration Conference  “Diversity Here and Now: Holistic and Sustainable Approaches to Multicultural Learning”  November 18 & 19               

                        Winter Collaboration Conference  “Building a Learning-Centered Institution” February 17 & 18

                        AAHE Annual Meeting (spring)

                        Lutheran Faculty Meeting (fall)

Additional information regarding these conferences will be made using C-news announcements.

III.  Professional Development Support for Research and Scholarly Activities

Deadline for Centennial Grant and Sabbatical Applications: October 24, 2005

Deadline for Summer Study and Degree Completion Grant Applications: March 12, 2006

Centennial Individual Research Awards:  Faculty receive a $3500 summer stipend or one course release time during the academic year following the award to pursue research projects.  A limited number of awards are given annually on a competitive basis.

Centennial Research Scholars Program:  Faculty-student research teams work as partners on disciplinary or interdisciplinary research projects. Faculty members receive a $2500 summer stipend, one course release during the initial award year, and summer school salary for supervising two student co-inquirers. Two student co-inquirers receive $2000 summer stipends and tuition remission for one independent-study summer school course for their work as research partners.  A limited number of awards are given annually on a competitive basis. 

Summer Study Grants:  Faculty receive up to $1250 to support summer study activities, such as summer institutes, short courses, research projects, etc. The summer study grant program also includes the 'Robert M. and Patricia Hendrickson Endowment Fund for Faculty Development' available to faculty who teach in the areas of music, art and theater art.

Degree Completion Grants:  The college maintains a program to assist faculty members who are nearing completion of terminal degrees. Work is to be done primarily during summer months. The dollar amounts granted under this program will vary but will not normally exceed $1,250; funds may be used to support degree-related research expenses, travel to meet with advisors, tuition costs, etc. 

Dean’s Travel Account:  Mileage or flight expenses are provided to faculty making presentations at professional conferences.  Funds are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Faculty may use this account once each academic year. 

Faculty Colloquium Series:  This series provides a forum for presentation of faculty members’ work; presenters receive a $150 stipend.  Contact Monica Mori, Psychology (x3253) to schedule a presentation.

Support in Securing Research Grants:  The  Director of Foundation Relations in the Development Office (x3556) is prepared to assist faculty members in identifying and applying for research grants.  All grant requests need to be approved by the Dean of the college.  Please see the Academic Affairs website for a copy of the grant approval form. http://www4.cord.edu/acadAffairs/forms/Default.htm

Sabbatical Leave Program:  Faculty are eligible to receive one semester leave at 90% salary or a full-year leave at 60% salary, for professional renewal and growth. 

IV.  Pedagogy and Professional Development Support for Teaching Effectiveness

Centennial Classroom Research Scholars Program:  Faculty-student research partnerships investigate innovative pedagogical techniques in specific courses.  Faculty receive a $2500 summer stipend, one course release time during the year following the initial award, and summer school salary for supervising two student co-inquirers.  Two student co-inquirers receive $2000 summer stipends and tuition remission for one independent-study summer school course with the faculty scholar. 

Assessment Mini-grants:  Up to $1000 per program, including faculty stipends of $50 per day are available to support the development and implementation of assessment plans at the department/program level.  The goal of these plans is to assess student learning outcomes in meaningful ways.  Contact Kay Schneider, Director, Assessment and Institutional Research (x4723) for details.

Assessment Consultant:  Kay Schneider, Director of Assessment and Institutional Research (x4723) supports faculty assessment activities, and assists in the development and implementation of assessment plans. 

Director of Academic Computing and Instructional Technology:  Keith Landa (x4212, landa@cord.edu) advises faculty on developing ways to use technology in their teaching.

Service Learning/SOS Coordinator:  Chelle Lyons Hanson, Director of Student Leadership and Service, (x3640) can advise you on helping first-year students meet the high standards of performance expected in your courses.

“Facultydev” listserv:  provides an on-line forum for exchange of ideas among faculty about teaching, research, scholarly activity, and carries announcements about conferences, grants, calls for papers and other faculty development information.  See Faculty Development website for subscription procedures.

V.  Faith and the Liberal Arts

Contact Ernest Simmons, Director, Dovre Center for Faith and Learning (x3430) if interested in the following programs.

Faculty Mentoring Program in Faith and Learning:  Newer faculty and administrative staff are invited to explore connections between faith and learning within their own work at the college.  Following a two-day workshop in August, the group meets on a monthly basis throughout the year, developing individual projects based in their own disciplines; these projects are presented in a final one-day workshop.  Participants receive honoraria of $500.

Faith and Learning Lectureship:  This program celebrates explorations by a faculty member of the interactions between faith and learning in a particular discipline; lecturers receive a $2,000 stipend.

Faculty Study Grants in Faith and Learning:  $500 to $1,000 to support faculty exploring the interactions of faith and learning in their disciplines.

Faculty Discussion Group Grants:  $500 to $750, for materials and meals are offered in support of    explorations among peers of the relationship between faith and disciplinary concerns.

Introduction to Faith and Learning in Higher Education—Workshop:  This workshop considers how Christian faith affects the way a church-related college approaches the liberal arts.  Participation is by invitation; participants receive $300 stipends. 

Conference Support: Faculty registration for Charis Ecumenical Center activities as well as other conferences that connect faith and learning is available to all faculty and administrative staff.

VI.  Lilly Grant Opportunities:  Exploring Vocation at Concordia College

Contact Harvey Stalwick, Project Coordinator, (x4935) for more information about Lilly Grant Opportunities.

Vocation Workshops:  Three-day workshops offered during summer or midyear, focus on the vocation of faculty, students and the college as a whole.  Contact Ernest Simmons, Director, Dovre Center for Faith and Learning (x3430), for details.

Faculty and Staff Spiritual Retreats:  A two-day weekend retreat off campus will be offered each semester, allowing approximately 20 faculty members to spend time on personal spiritual development. Tenured and Tenure-eligible faculty will also have the opportunity to participate in the Spiritual Heritage Travel Seminar in May, 2006.   Contact Ernest Simmons, Director, Dovre Center for Faith and Learning (x3430), for details.

Academic Course and Project Development on Vocation:  Grants of $1000 - $2000 will be available each year to develop new courses or add a major focus on vocation to existing courses. Contact Ernest Simmons, Director, Dovre Center for Faith and Learning (x3430), for details.

VII. International Education     

Contact Per Anderson, Director, Office of International Education (x3932) if interested in the following programs:

Semester Long International Opportunities for Faculty:  Faculty are invited to submit applications to lead the following semester-long international programs: India, Fall, 2008; Credo in Crete, Spring, 2008; Scan Baltic, Spring, 2007. These international programs present a unique opportunity to teach students in a 'global classroom' while being immersed in a foreign culture. Faculty retain full salary and are paid all travel expenses. Application deadline is November 30, 2005.

May Seminars: Faculty are invited to lead May Seminars in 2007. May Seminars are Concordia's signature programs that allow faculty to include global perspective in a classroom and to travel internationally with students.

Please see the Study Abroad website for detailed description of the programs: http://www4.cord.edu/inted/   

Other information:

Teaching and Research at Concordia College--a journal of scholarly work by Concordia College faculty

How to Request Physical Resources (equipment, renovations, etc.)

2002-03 Annual Report on Faculty Development Support