Faculty and Staff Professional Development Task Force

Type of Committee:
Task force.

Purpose:
To develop a picture of the past and present practices, policies and procedures of Professional Development at Northwestern Michigan College. Analyze data and develop preliminary recommendations as to next steps.

Background: In 1998, an initiative called Faculty and Staff Development for 2001 and beyond (initiative as originally framed for Board on 9-28-98) was chosen to Identify and provide for faculty/staff professional development experiences to foster the most effective learning environment. Since that time, the college has adopted five strategic directions. Two of these strategic directions relate directly to this original initiative:

"Establish and maintain a goals and outcomes related culture through effective planning and management", and
"Assure that the human resources of the college meet the current needs, strategic direction, and learning centered culture of the college"

Membership:
Chair, Director of Human Resources, Vice President for Educational Services, plus 4-5 faculty representatives appointed annually by Faculty Council (see membership list below).

Reporting relationship:
The task force will report the findings and discuss preliminary next step recommendations to the President.

Responsibilities:
Develop an understanding of how professional development polices and practices at NMC work. Develop next step recommendations based on obvious areas that need immediate attention.

Draft Timeline:
September-October 2002 — Refine questions and approaches to gather data. Use open-ended questions with focus groups and interviews with a variety of levels within the organization.
October - November 2002 — Analyze data and develop preliminary recommendations as to next steps.

Communication Strategy:
The Chair will update the President periodically on project progress.

Current Membership 2003-4

Name:		Employee Group:
Bill Hendry, Chair		Director of Human Resources
Faculty:
Mike Torre		Art
Laura Schmidt		Health Occupations
Karen Howie		Business Discipline and Chair of CIE
Mary Norris		Business Discipline, representing Sabbatical and Professional Development Leave committee
Executive Staff:
Marguerite Cotto		University Center
Karen Sabin		President's Office
Professional and Administrative:
Cathlyn Sommerfield		Director of Research Services
Kathleen Buday		Museum
Kari Kahler		Student Employment
Technical & Paraprofessional:
Lisa Molmen		Information Technology
Holly Gorton		President's Office
Support Staff:
Nicki Basch		Upward Bound
Carol Zaremba		Counseling Office