Professional Development Committee
Meeting Minutes
MEETING DATE: 09/14/2026
1. Call to Order For information
2:48 PM
2. Welcome and Introductions
New and returning committee members introduced themselves.
3. Review & Approve Agenda
Motion: Cheryl D., Second: Rabiah C., Carries: consensus
4. Review & Approve Prior Minutes
Motion: Lisa H., Second: Wanda B.; Abstentions by new committee members: Elizabeth
O., Anela S., and Andreas P.,
Carries: approved by consensus
5. Public Comments
(Limited to 3 minutes per person. The PDC cannot act on these comments) - none
6. Old Business
6.1 Future Flex Days
David P. outlined change to Flex Day schedule due to compressed calendar. FA contract has 4 flex days: convocation, college day, Fall and Spring Flex Day. January 28-29 will be the spring flex days. Jan 28 will be College Day 2 and DEIAB training – 4 hrs. required for FT Faculty. Only Friday in Jan. will be traditional flex day. Next fall (27-28) will be Convocation and Fall Flex Day. Spring 28 will be College Day, and Spring Flex Day, pending board approval. Part-time faculty are not required to attend Flex Days. Per faculty contract, required DEIAB training for PT faculty is 2 hours. Calendar committee determines Flex Day dates. For 26-27 and 27-28, that means they will be before Fall /Semesters. Currently, there is no requirement for Classified DEIAB training. Classified senate is working on this.
7. New Business
7.1 Conference/Activity Proposals
- Jennie Graham – 52nd AMATYC Conference; Philadelphia, PA ; 18-22, 2026; req. $750
SEA-fund qualified per Dean Sidela. - Josue Hernandez – presenting at 2026 COLEGAS Conference; Los Angeles, CA; Nov. 4 -6, 2026; Total cost: $1669.52. Chair approval of funds was done for this. Qualified for SEA funds.
- Nolan Higdon – Union for Democratic Communication Conference; Ithaca, NY; Oct. 23-25, 2026; req. $750
- Wanda Butterly – CAPED Conference; Palm Springs, CA; Oct. 11-13, 2026; req$795. SEA
fund qualified.
Wanda will be receiving a recognition award there.
M; Julie N., S: Cheryl D., C: unanimous: $750 approved for ea. of the above conferences.
7.2 Flex Day Proposals
- Any Chovnick: Hypothesis Tool Success in Science
- Christina Lee/ Heike Gecox: Faculty Eval Training
- Kali Rippel/ Charlotte Bagby: Watch and Discuss Session: Voices Not Sources
- Megan Garcia: Tai Chi for Wellness and Balance
- Russ Jensen: Beginner BJJ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu)
- Ted Lee (x5):
1) Hands-on Intro to Building and Programming Robots using LEGO
2) AI Power-Up: Microsoft Copilot Essentials
3) Getting More Out of ChatGPT by Moving Beyond the Basics
4) Designing Your Life by Applying Design Thinking to Life and Work
5) Empowering Educators with KhanMigo AI Tools - Tim Druley: Updating Faculty Office Hours Using Microsoft Forms
Discussion: Wanda B. and Kat K. will have a session(s), as will Veteran’s. Regarding sessions, it up to the committee what is put on the program. Members are all here to represent their constituency group, so consider what is beneficial to your group. Sessions will populate the schedule as soon as the committee approves them. Discussion/considerations: Keynote has precedence, in scheduling. Avoids scheduling competing sessions and distributes repeat sessions over AM/PM. Rabiah C. asked about flex day session categories. David P. showed current categories on proposal form, including a checkbox to allow for very specific sessions related to small subgroups.
Dr. Foster mentioned that the board has updated goals and priorities, so we should revisit this form to ensure that the goals and priorities on the form are in alignment.
Rabiah C. mentioned the need for enhanced opportunities for part-time faculty to get
exposure to processes and procedures. David P.: Part-time faculty cannot be required
to attend; many cannot due to outside commitments. He suggested division meeting as
a good time to arrange.
David P. will follow-up with Ted Lee regarding which of the five sessions submitted
he would prioritize offering. Some discussion ensued.
Andreas P. asked for clarification on submission deadline being after next meeting and not having a Dec meeting. David P. explained the need to get the schedule finalized before winter break. The committee can vote via email on proposals between or after meetings. Alesia H.: normally all proposals are approved for presenting on Flex Day. Only a few times have proposals been rejected, and in those cases, the proposers were given the opportunity to resubmit. David P.: It is my preference not to censor anyone’s opportunity to present or attend.
Motion to approve all proposal submitted so far, except Ted Lee’s which are tabled
to next meeting.
Motion: Cheryl D. Second: Julie N. Abstentions: Andreas P. Carried: approved by
consensus
Discussion re: Ted Lee’s multiple proposals submitted last March. Dr. Foster suggested to confer with Ted regarding his preference in choosing his top three for the upcoming spring flex day and saving two for a future flex day. We will revisit this at the next meeting in October.
7.3 New Photo
Deferred to next meeting
7.4 Flex Day Keynote
College keynote should benefit all campus constituent groups, not just faculty, and be aligned with the DEIAB initiative. Possible keynote speakers under consideration:
- Khalid Akil White, Ed. D. – BLKMPWR submitted by Savannah Richardson
- Paisley Curah – (LGBTQ task force) submitted by Dani MacArthur
Dr. Foster suggested we do a bit more exploration of these two and any others are put forward, and discuss/ decide at the next meeting. David P. reiterated the need to schedule a keynote as soon as possible. Anela S. asked about previous keynote speakers on this topic. These are listed on the PDC Mandatory Flex Day archives. Julie N. recalled another speaker more recently than 2020, likely a Town Hall presentation.
Flex Day Meals
Generally, we go with a national chain due to pricing, and the practical need for
grab & go lunches. If you have suggestions, please send them forward to the tri-chairs.
8. Information Items
8.1 PDC Budget Update
With items just approved, we have a little over $15,000 in the PDC General Fund. In
SEA funds, with today’s approvals, approximately $3000.
Alesia H. reminded committed that there were May approvals using SEA funds as well.
8.2 New Faculty Orientation
9/9/26-The Tenure Process, Paula Checchi, Heike Gecox
10/14/26- Classroom Behavior and Incident Management, Joel Gagnon, Amy Mattern
8.3 Teaching Institute
Wed Oct 21, 5:30 PM at Canton Village (Livermore)
Topic: Roses & Thorns – Lets’s Talk About Teaching
Contact Frances Hui for more information
8.4 Caring Campus Update
No report.
9. Good of the Order
David P.: Jennifer Tonn received a 5-star award from Student Services at Town Meeting. Congratulations, Jennifer!
10. Adjournment
3:51 PM
Next meeting: Oct. 12, 2026, 2:45 PM, in room 21247