The Office of Professional Development (OPD) is pleased to announce the results of the first peer group application process. Twenty-three applications were received and the following approved groups will be known as the Peer Group Class of Fall 2015. Congratulations!
ASL and Interpreter Education (Paula Debes, pdebes@nvcc.edu)
Business (Kelly Gillerlain, kgillerlain@tcc.edu)
Communications Studies and Theatre (Kerrigan Sullivan, ksullivan@jtcc.edu)
Developmental Education (Rick Dollieslager, dollier@tncc.edu)
Early Childhood Development (Kim Gregory, kgregory@virginiawestern.edu)
EMS programs (Bill Akers, bill.akers@sw.edu)
English and ESL (Marshall Ellis, tcellix@tcc.edu)
Foreign Languages (Cristina Sparks Early, csparks@nvcc.edu)
Information Systems Technology (Bill Clement, wclement@tcc.edu)
Learning Assistance Professionals (Pat Bozeman, pbozeman@reynolds.edu)
Mathematics and Computer Science (Sarah Martin, smartin@virginiawestern.edu)
Nursing and Allied Health (Lori Wack, wackl@brcc.edu)
Psychology (Dennis Abry, abryd@brcc.edu)
Science (Martin Zahn, zahnm@tncc.edu)
Distance Education (Donna Levy, dlevy@reynolds.edu)
Economics (Ralph Sass, rsass@dslcc.edu)
Industrial and Engineering Technologies, Building and Career and Technical Trades (Thomas Stout, tstout@tcc.edu, Jeff Levy, jlevy@nr.edu, and Tommy Clements, tclements@me.vccs.edu)
Learning Resources (Mary Mayer-Hennelly, tcmayem@tcc.edu)
Music (Michael Sundblad, sundbladm@tncc.edu)
Sociology (Thomas Sparhawk, sparhawkt@cvcc.vccs.edu)
Teacher Education (Teresa Galyean, wcgalyt@wcc.vccs.edu)
Faculty can connect with a peer group in one of two ways: 1) get enrolled in the peer group’s Blackboard site by the leaders – see names and emails above, or 2) have leaders request the OPD to enroll faculty who teach certain courses. It’s important for faculty to be enrolled in the Blackboard site to learn about peer group events and participate in the planning and life of the group.
What about the groups not approved? Several were encouraged to revise and resubmit at the next application date, February 1, 2010. Some fell outside of the teaching/learning/student success mission of the peer group program. And one group was encouraged to partner with a larger group.
All authors of the applications have received a personalized letter to share with their colleagues. All Blackboard sites will remain up and running for collaborative work among group members, regardless of the decision rendered. Peer group planners will be encouraged to include sessions targeted for specific populations (such as adjunct faculty).
Review the information on the Professional Development Peer Group Information and Application page. Additional important information can be found the Peer Group Manual 1.0 and Tips for a Successful Peer Group Application.It’s important to understand the more targeted teaching and learning focus of the new peer group program.
Need assistance? Feel free to contact your college’s Professional Development Committee member or contact Nan Ottenritter, Director of professional Development, at nottenritter@vccs.edu.