Faculty & Professional Learning Communities

What is a CTL Faculty or Professional Learning Community?

Faculty and Professional Learning Communities (FLCs/PLCs) are:

Peer-led groups of faculty and professionals. (8-30 participants per group).
Designed for active engagement, collaboration, and action research on topics ranging from academic technology to equity in higher education.
Year long programs with some shorter options.

You may apply and enroll in more than one FLC/PLC. You will be notified promptly upon acceptance of your participation.

Requirements

Full-time or part-time Sacramento State employment during the entirety of the FLC/PLC.
Commitment to attend meetings, complete deliverables, and disseminate FLC/PLC work at the program.
Attend the CTL culminating event on
- Friday, May 9th, 2025 from 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. for semester-long FLC/PLCs or
- Friday, December 5th, 2025 from 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. for yearlong FLC/PLCs.

Benefits

Participants will receive $500 to $1,000 either in the form of additional employment or a Professional Development Stipend (both taxable) upon completion of FLC/PLC programs. The payment option is determined by FLC/PLC funders and can be different for each individual FLC/PLC.
- *Please note, FERP and retired annuitant faculty participation is on a voluntary basis only, as those employee groups are ineligible for additional employment or PD Stipend compensation.
Unique opportunity to build professional skills and network with engaging colleagues

Apply by Monday, Feb 3rd, 2025 Request Reasonable Accommodations

A. Beyond Campus: Community-Engaged Teaching and Research

(Spring 2025)

Spring 2025 meetings:
- Mondays, 10am-12pm: Feb 3 (in-person), Feb 17, Mar 3, Mar 17, April 7 (via Zoom), April 21 (in-person)
Culminating event: Friday May 9th, 2025 from 3-4:30pm

This FLC is intended to both introduce and enhance community engagement for faculty and students. You will learn about Community-Engaged Learning (CEL), Community-Engaged Research (CER) with students, and Academic Internships (AIN) while developing a three-stage plan of progression in teaching or research toward your RTP and professional goals. This FLC will consist of three tracks (CEL, CER, and AIN) with opportunities to meet in Breakout Groups during most of our meetings. A taxable $1000 will be awarded upon completion.

Facilitators: Samantha Blackburn, Chong Choe-Smith, J. Ann Moylan, Erin Rose Ellison, Sayonita Ghosh Hajra

B. Promoting Active Learning (ACUE PAL1)

(Spring 2025 - Fall 2025)

Spring 2025 meetings:
- Online: Synchronous sessions and asynchronous work. Friday, February 14th 3:00pm - 5:00pm via Zoom
Summer 2025 meetings:
- Observe and Analyze prep session Wednesday, July 23rd 9:00am - 10:30am via Zoom
Fall 2025 meetings:
- Observe and Analyze prep session: Monday, September 8th 12:00pm - 1:30pm and Tuesday, September 9th 3:00pm - 4:30pm via Zoom
- Portfolio making session & survey delivery: Monday, November 10th 3:00pm - 4:30pm and Wednesday, November 12th 12:00pm - 1:30pm via Zoom
Culminating event: Friday, December 5th, 2025, 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.

Faculty will begin by participating in the ACUE Microcredential Course, Promoting Active Learning. This course provides instructors with evidence-based teaching practices to facilitate group work and actively involve students in quality discussions during lectures and class sessions. Throughout the course you can learn and implement practices that elevate your teaching and propel student success. Designed for all types of faculty, the evidence-based teaching practices found within this course can be implemented in an online, hybrid, or classroom learning environment. In Fall 2025 participants will focus on small group observations of and discussions on the implementation of ACUE strategies to promote active learning in the classroom. A taxable $1000 will be awarded upon completion.

 Facilitator: William Reliford, Jr.

C. Equity Minded Pedagogy

(Spring 2025)

Spring 2025 Meetings
- Friday, March 7, 3:30-4:00pm (optional course orientation and technology overview; will be recorded)
- Friday, March 14, 2:00-4:00pm required
- Friday, March 21, 2:00-4:00pm required
- Friday, March 28, 2:00-4:00pm (optional data session; will be recorded)
- Friday, April 4, 2:00-4:00pm (data session, synchronous)
- Friday, April 11, 2:00-4:00pm required
- Friday, April 25, 2:00-4:00pm required
Culminating event: Friday, May 9th, 2025, 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.

This course deepens faculty understanding of structural inequalities by guiding them to do personal reflection and gather feedback from students and campus staff. Faculty then use those insights to interpret quantitative data and adjust curriculum and instruction to improve students’ learning experiences and outcomes. EMP provides an opportunity for a cohort of faculty to collaborate with social justice-oriented educators across the system to amplify our efforts to eliminate equity gaps. Faculty who participate in this course can expect to gain skills and knowledge – while exploring their own beliefs and experiences – to confront oppression and systemic racism with the goal of increasing equitable learning opportunities for students. Participants will experience the kinds of learning that will help them implement similar human-centered, culturally-sustaining experiences with and for students. A taxable $1000 from the CO will be awarded upon completion.  

Facilitator: Lynn Tashiro

D. Preparing Your Course for QM certification

Four Standards.

(Spring 2025)

Spring 2025 meetings:
- Orientation: Friday 2/14 from 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. on Zoom
- Drop-in hours: Monday 2/24 from 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. on Zoom with Debra Welkley
- Drop-in hours: Friday 3/14 from 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. on Zoom with Tara Sharpp
- Drop-in hours: Monday 3/24 from 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. on Zoom with Debra Welkley
- Drop-in hours: Friday 4/11 from 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. on Zoom with Tara Sharpp
- Drop-in hours/ Culminating portfolio Workshop: Friday 4/25 from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. on Zoom
Culminating event: Friday, May 9th, 2025, 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.

This FLC is geared for faculty with experience in online teaching and Quality Matters (QM) best practices, but any faculty interested in redesigning their courses based on QM standards can apply. Faculty will choose four of the eight QM standards to assess and redesign their course to meet standards. Redesign will vary based on selected standards, but may include organization, ensuring measurable objectives and alignment of course content, engaging activities, and accessibility and UDL. A taxable $500 will be awarded upon completion.  

Facilitator: Tara Sharpp and Debra Welkley

E. Evidence-based Lecture Alternatives to Optimize

Student Learning

(Spring 2025)

Spring 2025 meetings:
- TBD
Culminating Event: Friday May 9th, 2025 from 3-4:30pm

Faculty will first listen to this podcast, detailing the most effective ways for students to learn and study. We will be discussing the podcast at the first meeting. Individual faculty will then choose some evidence-based techniques to embed in their courses during the Spring 2025 semester. Discussions of the successes, challenges, and outcomes will round out the semester. A taxable $500 will be awarded upon completion.  

Facilitators: Jennifer Lundmark

F. Open Educational Resources & Affordable

Learning Solutions: Making Your Course Affordable

(Spring 2025 - Fall 2025)

Spring 2025 meetings (online, synchronous sessions & asynchronous work)
- Fridays, Feb 28, March 28, April 25, May 16, 10am-12pm.
Summer 2025 meetings (online, synchronous mentoring meetings & asynchronous work)
- TBD (3 check-in meetings required).
Fall 2025 meetings (online, synchronous check-ins re: course material implementation)
- Fridays, October 18th 10am-12pm.
Culminating Event: Friday, December 5th, 2025, 3:00 - 4:30 p.m

During the first semester faculty will be supported in finding materials to reduce course costs. They will adopt or remix materials tailored to a course being taught during Fall 2025. The second semester will focus on implementing and assessing these low- and no-cost course materials, with a particular focus on their impact on student access, learning, and success. A taxable $1000 will be awarded upon completion.  

Facilitator: Andrea Terry

G. From In-Person to Online EDS293

Strategies for Effective Online Instruction

(Winter/Spring 2025)

Winter FLC Workdays
- Jan 6, 2025, 5:00 – 8:00 pm (virtual): Best Practices for Online Instruction
- Jan 8, 2025, 5:00 – 8:00 pm (virtual): Designing Online Classrooms (Pt 1)
- Jan 11, 2025, 9-3 pm (in person/hybrid): Creating Community in Online Learning Environments
- Jan 14, 2025, 5:00 – 8:00 pm (virtual): Designing Online Classrooms (Pt 2/make up)
Culminating event: Friday, May 9th, 2025, 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.

This FLC is geared for faculty that teach EDSP 293 with experience in online teaching and Quality Matters (QM) best practices, but any faculty interested in redesigning their courses based on QM standards can apply. Faculty will create a redesign plan for their course to align with QM essential standards. Redesign plans will vary based on selected standards, but may include organization, ensuring measurable objectives and alignment of course content, engaging activities, and accessibility and UDL. A taxable $500-700 will be awarded upon completion.

Facilitators: Cindy Collado and Jenna Porter

H. Fostering a Culture of Belonging and Advancing

Career Skills through Internships with ACUE.

(Summer 2025 - Fall 2025)

Summer 2025 meetings (Online synchronous and asynchronous sessions):
- Monday, June 2, 2025, 3:00-5:00 p.m.* synchronous orientation session for ACUE
- June – July 2025, synchronous and asynchronous work in ACUE and Sac State Canvas course modules, (exact dates TBD in coordination with ACUE)
- "Observe and Analyze" (O&A) Planning Sessions (please attend one):
  - Wednesday, July 23, 2025, 9:00 – 10:30 am
  - Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, 12:00 – 1:30 pm
  - Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, 3:00 – 4:30 pm
Fall 2025 Meetings (Online synchronous and asynchronous sessions):
- O&A Group Sessions Sept. 9 – Nov. 11, 2025
- One small group "Observe and Analyze" meeting (2 hrs.) exact date for your session TBD by your small group facilitator.
- Portfolio Making & Survey Delivery
  - Monday, Nov. 10, 2025, 3:00 – 4:30 pm
  - Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Culminating event: Friday, December 5th, 2025, 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.

Faculty will begin by participating in the ACUE Microcredential course, “Fostering a Culture of Belonging”. The course will use evidence and research-based practices to help you understand managing the impact of biases, reducing microaggressions, addressing Imposter phenomenon, and stereotype threat. The second semester will focus on small group observations and discussions on the implementation of ACUE strategies, connecting theory to practice to foster personal growth and career readiness, to better prepare students. A taxable $1000 will be awarded upon completion. *Launch Dates are tentative, in partnership with ACUE

Facilitators: Melissa Repa, Abraham Mendoza, Ann Moylan

I. Integrate Innovation and Entrepreneurial Mindset into your Career

(Spring 2025)

Spring 2025 meetings (in-person at Carlsen Center)
- Fridays, Feb 28, March 28, April 18, & May 2; Time: 9 – 11 a.m.
Culminating event: Friday, May 9th, 2025, 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.

Discover how entrepreneurial mindset and innovation can transform your approach to teaching, research, and service! This faculty learning community is designed for faculty members from all disciplines, providing practical strategies to integrate innovation and entrepreneurship into your work. Entrepreneurship is not just about starting businesses; it’s about the self-driven pursuit of creating values for others. When we provide values for others, we empower ourselves too. Please join us to explore new opportunities for personal and professional growth! A taxable $500 will be awarded upon completion. 

Facilitators: Cameron Law, Cheng Hong