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 on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month during Fall and Spring semesters from 1:40 to 2:55 pm. in LR 084.
The Professional Development piece of this committee is responsible for coordinating Faculty trainings throughout the year as well as the annual All Campus In-Service which takes place annually in February. A keynote speaker starts the day's activities after which the day is divided into breakout sessions led by various Faculty, Classified Staff, and Administrators.
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 fifteen hours of Flex activities between May 1 and April 30 of the following year. 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.
Division of Business and Liberal Arts: Joe Vielbig, Co-Chair for FLEX
Division of Career and Technical Education: Fabiana Bowles
Division of Humanities: Brad Pease
Division of Humanities: Donna Taylor
Division of Business and Liberal Arts: Patricia Powers
Division of Science, Math, & Agriculture: Rita Brown
Division of Science, Math, & Agriculture: Zoe Hawk
Human Resources Coordinator: Cindi Graef/Ruth Whisler
AccessABILITY Resources Services Coordinator: Laura Sándigo
Faculty -- NAU Yuma Branch Campus: Vicki Ardisana
Faculty -- NAU Yuma Branch Campus: Susan Lauer
CTE Director: Nancy Blitz, Co-Chair for Professional Development
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.
