ADAPTING AND EXTENDING THE ON THE CUTTING EDGE MODEL OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TO BRING WORKSHOPS TO TWO-YEAR COLLEGE FACULTY

The SAGE 2YC project addresses a critical need in providing professional development to 2YC geoscience faculty via workshops and associated online resources, a combination pioneered by On the Cutting Edge (CE). Our workshops are based on the CE model: use good pedagogy, provide opportunities for participants to share their knowledge and build on the research base, emphasize practical applications, and include time for reflection and action planning. We offer national workshops and online resources on topics important for 2YC geoscience faculty including supporting student success, broadening participation in the geosciences, and preparing geoscience students for careers and transfer.

SAGE 2YC extended the CE model by adding a series of regional dissemination workshops led by 2YC faculty who had participated in a national workshop. Teams of 2YC faculty design and lead workshops in their region that address relevant content based on themes from the national workshops customized for their context. The leaders receive mentoring from the SAGE 2YC team as well as from other regional workshop leaders and receive financial support for workshop expenses. In four years, the 2YC teams have led 28 regional workshops. These workshops have been successful in reaching 2YC geoscience faculty who often have limited professional development opportunities in the geosciences. Over 450 faculty have participated including 29% adjunct faculty, an important group who are often underserved in professional development activities. The workshops have been well-received by participants and have catalyzed local networks of faculty who are often disciplinarily isolated within their institutions. They also have been important for the regional workshop leaders who report increased confidence in providing leadership for colleagues.

Effective, accessible professional development for 2YC geoscience faculty can transform 2YC geoscience education. By taking the CE model and adapting it to meet the needs of 2YC faculty and then extending it to engage faculty who otherwise could not attend a multi-day national workshop, we are meeting the needs of this important group of faculty and effectively disseminating evidence-based educational practices.