How You Can Support Professional Development Through the ASCCC Foundation

November
2020
ASCCC North Representative, ASCCC Foundation Treasurer
ASCCC At Large Representative, ASCCC Foundation President
ASCCC Executive Director, ASCCC Foundation Executive Director

The mission of the ASCCC Foundation is “to enhance the excellence of the California community colleges by sustained support for professional development of the faculty in the furtherance of effective teaching and learning practices.” Educational systems are changing rapidly, and the world has been turned upside down by a global pandemic, a social reckoning on systemic racism, and a rapid switch to online teaching and support.

Professional development is a key strategy to keep faculty informed, educated, and connected in a time of isolation. Faculty engagement in professional development is one of the responsibilities of faculty members. The Academic Senate for California Community Colleges is a leader in professional development, with item eight of the academic and professional matters listed in Title 5 §53200 being “policies for faculty professional development activities.”

The ASCCC Foundation supports faculty members from across the community college system to attend ASCCC plenaries, faculty leadership institutes, and other affiliated conferences such as A2MEND. Scholarships also focus on diversity and equity. These professional benefits support underrepresented faculty by granting expansive academic environments that support system training and the sharing of internal knowledge. The scholarships allow faculty members to learn from and engage with their colleagues. As many faculty know, attending senate events can be invigorating, informative, and empowering. The more who can attend, the greater the diversity of voices in the room, even a virtual room. This statement is especially true for part-time faculty, who often do not have access to local professional development funds. The scholarships are even more important now with reduced local college budgets, slashed professional development funds, and more cuts expected in the next few years. Last year, the ASCCC Foundation awarded six scholarships prior to most events being cancelled due to COVID-19. In previous years, the foundation has awarded between 12 and 15 scholarships for faculty to attend professional development activities. Each scholarship covers registration, travel, and lodging for the activity.

Faculty and other interested parties can contribute to the Academic Senate Foundation for California Colleges in multiple ways through the ASCCC Foundation Website:

  • 10+1 Campaign: Consider a small reoccurring donation of $11 per month
  • Amazon Smile: Support the Academic Senate Foundation by shopping at AmazonSmile and indicating the ASCCC Foundation as your intended donation. When you shop at AmazonSmile, Amazon will donate to the foundation.
  • Donate Online: Interested individuals can also donate online any amount to support professional development

Although the foundation may also receive support from corporations, giving begins with the faculty. Imagine the good the foundation could do if each of the 59,000 faculty members in the California community colleges gave just a few dollars. If nothing else, 2020 has shown the need for faculty to support each other, expand the diversity of voices at the table, and encourage collaboration as well as the importance of professional development. Take a moment today and invest in your colleagues through the ASCCC Foundation.

The Academic Senate Foundation is a 501 (C) (3) non-profit organization. Donations are tax-deductible.
Visit the ASFCCC Foundation page at https://asfccc.com/get-involved/.