History And Purpose
The FLEX Committee was collapsed into the Professional Development Committee in Fall 2010 where it will remain in the future. The combined Professional Development/FLEX Committee meets regularly during the fall and spring semesters from 1:40 to 2:55 pm in LR 084.
FLEX Information
Arizona Western College established the FLEX-Activity Program in 1990 to promote professional development opportunities for its faculty. Faculty are paid for two days per year above and beyond the contractual 'duty days' of being on campus. FLEX activities give faculty the opportunity to pursue interests relevant to their discipline, to their own personal academic growth, or to the mission of AWC and use the hours spent in these activities towards their FLEX hours requirements.
Approved FLEX activities require expected outcomes that directly and positively impact the teaching/learning process and/or contribute to the mission of AWC.
To meet the FLEX contractual requirement, full-time faculty are required to document 15 hours of FLEX activities between May 1 and April 30 of the following year, a full calendar year. This obligation equates to approximately one professional development clock hour (60 minutes) procured every 22 calendar days. Full-time faculty on a one-semester contract are required to document 7.5 hours.
FLEX activities are approved by a committee of faculty members, composed of representatives from each academic division.
FLEX Committee Members for 2013-2014:
Division of Business and Liberal Arts: Joe Vielbig (Sociology), Chair for FLEX
Division of Business and Liberal Arts: Patty Powers (Education)
Division of Career and Technical Education: Shelly Greacen (Nursing)
Division of Career and Technical Education: Alison Casebolt (Nursing)
Division of Humanities: Martha Martinez (Spanish)
Division of Humanities: Barbara Belobaba (English)
Division of Science, Math, & Agriculture: Miguel Sanchez (Mathematics)
Division of Science, Math, & Agriculture: Chris Benker (Geosciences)
AccessABILITY Resources Services Coordinator: Laura Sándigo
Faculty- NAU Yuma Branch Campus: Vicki Ardisana (Education)
Staff- NAU Yuma Branch Campus: Susan Lauer (Administrative Associate)
CTE Director: Scott Donnelly (Chemistry), Chair for Professional Development
Some Ideas For Flex Activities In Each Category
I. PROFESSIONAL GROWTH
-
Attend or present at a conference, seminar, or workshop.
-
Develop computer skills.
-
Conduct professional research.
II. WORKPLACE EFFECTIVENESS
-
Plan a new course and related materials.
-
Redesign physical environment integral to educational tasks.
-
Develop a new major or program of study.
III. ORGANIZATIONAL DYNAMICS
-
Conduct demographic studies addressing community college needs.
-
Participate in public school outreach.
-
Perform committee work at state or national level.
