Standard 5. Element Seven: Unit Facilitation of Professional Development

Based upon needs identified in faculty evaluations, the unit provides opportunities for faculty to develop new knowledge and skills, related to the conceptual framework, performance assessment, diversity, technology, and other emerging practices on a regular basis throughout the year (Table 60). In addition, faculty members have the opportunity to suggest professional development workshops and seminars that they would like to see implemented.

The Unit’s extent and methods of providing professional development opportunities for faculty based on their evaluations is realized in an annual performance evaluation for faculty to assess, improve and develop new knowledge and skills. Prior to the evaluation, the document is used by faculty to project what they will do within each category and assign weights that estimate the percentage value of each respective work category. At the end of each year, department chairs meet to discuss the evaluation with faculty, resulting in a signed agreement regarding performance and future plans.

Full and part-time faculty and staff participate in a range of professional development activities throughout the academic year and during the summer months. A primary internal unit that supports faculty professional development activities is the Academy for Faculty Development. Supported by an advisory board, the Academy is equipped with state of the art technology and a conference room that can accommodate approximately 50 participants. Academy for Faculty Development workshops are provided at a fall and spring conference as well as throughout the semester according to demand (Exhibit 5.5).

Since 1993 the University has provided more than $250,000 in Title III funds for revitalization of the University’s infrastructure and enhancement of faculty programs. The Dean of the School of Liberal Arts and Education (SLAE) secured a $250,000 grant from the Cameron Foundation to support faculty professional development. A percentage of these funds is allocated to support activities of the Appomattox Regional Research Consortium (ARRC), which was designed to promote collaborative research between 14 school districts within the VSU geographic area.

A number of professional development activities and initiatives are also supported by the University’s Title III program and funds acquired through grants developed by faculty and administration. For example, within the last 5 years (2000-2001) almost $45,000 in Title III funds has been provided to faculty for travel to support research presentations, local, regional, and national service to professional associations, and other collaborative activities with colleagues in their respective disciplines.

Table 62 lists professional development activities presented at Virginia State University. These activities are offered to faculty each semester and relate to performance assessment, diversity, technology, and the conceptual framework.

Table 62: Professional Development Activities

Type of Professional Development Activity	Title/Description of Activity
Performance Assessment	1. Workshop on Developing a Comprehensive Faculty Evaluation System 2. TK20 Technology Workshop 3. Reading First Teacher Education Network Conference
Diversity	1. National Association of African American Studies Conference 2. African Studies Association Conference 3. International Association of Nigerian Studies Conference 4. National Association of Multicultural Education Annual Conference
Technology	1. Annual Convention of the Association for Career & Technical Education 2. Annual Virginia Educational Media Association (VEMA)
Emerging Practices	1. Collaborative professional development workshop 2. Radical Economics in the 20^th century 3. NASA/NIA Pre-Service Teacher Conference 4. Colloquium of Behavioral Science Training in Drug Abuse Research 5. Annual International Fatherhood Conference
Unit’s Conceptual Framework	1. Weekly NCATE Faculty Workshops/Meetings
Accreditation Agency Training/Development	1. Education Policy Workshop (NCATE) 2. Institute for Diversity (NCATE)
Other Professional Association Collaborative	1. Virginia Professors of Educational Leadership (VPEL) Conference 2. Appomattox Regional Research Consortium (ARRC)

Table 63 provides information on how often faculty participate in professional development activities. Professional development promotes the success of all candidates by advocating, nurturing, and sustaining a school culture and instructional program conducive to candidate learning and staff professional growth.

Table 63: Faculty Participation in Professional Development Activities

Faculty Participation	Semester	Annually	Summer
Adjunct/Part-Time	X
Tenured	X	X	X
Non-Tenured	X	X	X
Graduate Teaching Assistant	X

Consistent with Virginia State University’s vision and goals, the School of Liberal Arts and Education encourages all faculty and staff to participate vigorously in professional development that focuses on improving teaching and candidate learning.