From Spoon and Eggs to Beyonce:

The Evolution of a Professional Development Center

Dr. “Beez” Schell, Founding DirectorMrs. Lisa Melohusky, Instructional Designer

Mrs. Dawn Eckenrode, Reference & Instruction librarian, PDC Board Chair

Session Objectives

1. Determine your Center’s timeline– Why is this important?

2. Discuss strategies and examples related to tackling three common obstacles:– Staff, money, space

3. Offer advice for new directors4. Brainstorm “take home” strategies to

implement in your own Center

Disclaimers

• Every center and story is unique– Different challenges and opportunities

• SUNY Fredonia– 5,000 students– 200 faculty– Rural and isolated

Poll Everywhere

• How “old” is your Center?• Your Center staff?• Your Center budget?• Your Center space?• What is one question you hope to get

answered today?• Your Center timeline worksheet

Poll: How old is your center?

Poll: What is your center budget?

Poll: What kind of space is dedicated to yo...

Poll: How many people staff your center?

The Hourglass/Pyramid

Early Fall (‘08) of Year 1

Early Spring (‘09) of Year 1

• Beyonce@ the Rudimentary Movement Stage

Re-Think Your Timeline

Why Important?

• Identify your current strengths and

challenges• Re-think your strategies and try something

new (or dump)– Pilot projects to sustained programs

• Know when/where/how to put your energies

Our Timeline

• Lisa & Dawn

Who the PDC Serves

• ALL SUNY Fredonia employees:– Faculty (new and veteran)– Adjunct faculty– Department chairs– Professionals– Clerical– Keyboard specialists– Resident Directors– Maintenance

Our Programs

• Workshops (50+)• ANGEL• PDC Associates• New Faculty and Staff

Orientation• New Faculty

Workshops• “Chairs Leadership

Circle”

• “Write Now Hour”• “Office Conversations”• “Connections”

mentoring• Rengas (L.C.s)

– Work/life balance– Service learning– Tenure-track faculty

• Annual Teaching & Learning Conference• Secretary Retreats (fall & spring)• All-Campus Kick-Off Event• “In Brief” newsletter• Grant programs

Strategies & Examples

Small staffSmall budget

No space

Small Staff? Your staff?

• SUNY Fredonia PDC– Full-Time Director– Full-Time

Instructional Designer

• Strategies– PDC Board

• 14 members

– PDC Associates• 6 Associates

– Befriend secretaries

PDC Board Membership:

• One faculty member from each of the five teaching areas: Arts, Education, Humanities, Natural Science, and Social Sciences

• One professional staff member from each of the following areas: Administration, Student Affairs, University Advancement and the Faculty Student Association

• One classified staff member • One member of the library faculty (ex-officio)• One educational technologist (ex-officio)

Key Functions:

• Review grant and award applications• Develop T&L Conference theme, suggest

speaker, reviewed proposals, and served as volunteers and presenters

• Provide support to the PDC Associates• Raise campus awareness of the PDC and

encourage participation in programming

Tips and Considerations for a Happy Board:

• Is the membership representative of the constituencies you are serving?

• Are the functions representative of the interests of your constituencies?

• Use technology to communicate and manage workflow in-between meetings

• Establish clear expectations for participation and goals

• Raise visibility of Board members and periodically review accomplishments

• Rotate membership/leadership on a consistent basis

Example: Associates Program

• Based on ‘my’ needs• Applications and Board selects• $750 per semester – 1 year commitment

– 2 workshops– 1 learning community– Representative of PDC

• Given high profile on campus– Website, campus meetings, etc.

Associates

• Scholarship of Teaching and Learning• Research & Creative Activities• Technologies• Online Teaching• Learning Communities (Rengas)• Professional Staff

Small Budget? Your Budget?

• SUNY Fredonia PDC– $10,000

• $4,500 Associates• Equipment,

webinars, travel

– $5,000 • Food, on campus

supplies

• Strategies– Collaborate

• HR; President; Library; Administration Division

– Go Green– Campus expertise– “No Frills”– Offer beverages only– Free stuff

Examples

• Teaching & Learning Conference– Free speaker & lunch: SUNY Chancellor– Few paper copies of program– “No Frills”

• Connections/Mentoring Program– 20 pairs & 13 pairs– Gift cards (amount based on participants)– Refreshments for orientation and graduation

No Space? Your Space?

• SUNY Fredonia– Two offices in

library

• Strategies– Befriend secretaries– One useable room in each academic

building– “Mobile” office space– Meet in their office– Create a virtual center

Examples

• The “Mobile Office”– Hold office hours in various buildings

• The “Tower Lounge”– Habitual use of space

• The PDC Website– http://www.fredonia.edu/pdc/

ADVICE FOR DIRECTORS

• Check your ego at the door– Secretary; food delivery; accountant; PR;

webmaster

• Learn the culture• Avoid taking on too much too early, but…

– Be everywhere– Be everything to everyone

• Find campus “champions”• Carefully select/hire your staff, board, etc.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS?

Beyonce @Fundamental

movement stage

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbjR5HVKkWc&feature=related

Our Plans for Year 2

• Evaluate the “pilot” programs– “one-hit-wonder” workshops– Thematic = Rengas

• Webinars• Go Green Initiative• Better assessments

– Survey monkey

BRAINSTORMINGThree Strategies