The mission of the College of Professional Studies at Missouri Western State University is to maximize the development of students for roles in the professions and in society through the completion of academic degrees. Programs provide the knowledge, skills and leadership development that are essential for success in the professions or for graduate study. Academic programs incorporate learning that transcends the institutional setting through multiple experiences in the classroom and professional practice environments.

Opportunities for development are provided through partnerships with practicing professionals, contributions to society through service to diverse populations, wise use of technology and consideration of ethical standards in problem-solving. Faculty members are experts in their disciplines and apply their expertise through leadership, scholarship, consulting and service in their professions. Graduates of the College of Professional Studies fill essential leadership positions in business and industry, government, education, health care, national defense, legal and service settings.

Please follow the links below to get information on proposed professional development opportunities to be held during Plan Days during August 2008.  These ideas will be coordidnated with the Faculty Senate committee headed by Brenda Blessing.  Send your feedback to Steve Estes.  And if you have an idea for a different session, workshop, or other activity, or a good idea for how these sessions might be presented, then please get in touch!

Evaluation and Improvement of College Teaching - Peter Seldin

Peter Seldin speaks regularly on the scholarship of teaching, particularly the teaching portfolio.  One idea is to have Dr. Seldin give an address, followed by a workshop on this topic.

Advising Workshop

A consistent concern among PS faculty is the amount of time spent on advisement. Recently faculty attended the NACADA conference on advising and came back with materials that might help improve academic advisement and help make us more efficient.  A workshop, led by our own advisors or perhaps bringing in a consultant, might of interest.

Teaching Research at the Graduate Level ... I like Dr. Blessing's conference idea where we have several workshops/presentations from which to choose. I would prefer to move around to the ones I would find useful through the day. I would like some workshops on teaching research at the graduate level...

Applied Learning 

Dr. Patti H. Clayton, Director of the Center for Excellence in Curricular Engagement in the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor at North Carolina State University. She provided very good materials about critical reflection in applied learning, demonstrating how critical thinking, Bloom's Taxonomy, and applied learning can be married for better assessment..... She only had 25 minutes to present at the Applied Learning Conference, and she packed information into that short time period.

Promotion and Tenure Guidelines

I like the idea of choosing areas of interest presented by Brenda Blessing. Choice always produces better engagement. For choices, it would be nice to hear again about the updated policy changes for promotion and tenure as well as the process for this.

WebCT

Integrating online applications into existing courses and distance education.  Step-by-Step instructions on how to develop and maintain the online portion of your curriculum.

Grant Writing

Information on grant writing, where to begin, and the steps of the process.

Office 2007

A brief tutorial on the differences/benefits of Office 2007.

Do you have another idea?  If so please send it to Steve Estes!