CofC Offers Certificate Programs for Faculty, Staff

With an eye toward helping faculty progress in their careers, the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning offers a variety of professional development opportunities. One opportunity is certificate programs, which are offered through CETL in collaboration with other divisions on campus. Certificate programs on specific topics allow faculty to create their development plan for a year or two, so they can delve deeply and focus on one area. Some of the certificate programs are also available to staff.

Below, please find information about the available certificate programs in the Spring 2024 semester.

Wellness and Well-Being Certificate

This five-part series, which can be completed within one or two years, is offered to faculty and staff in collaboration with the Office of the Dean of Students, Office of Student Wellness and Well-Being, the Counseling Center, the Center for Disability Services and the Center for Student Learning.

Objectives:

To reflect on the current understandings of wellness and well-being for faculty, staff and students and address any misperceptions
To build and sustain the community of wellness and well-being for faculty, staff and students
To identify components of wellness and well-being for faculty, staff and students
To support faculty and staff wellness and well-being through strengthened coping skills, resources and support networks
To deepen faculty and staff attention to students’ wellness and well-being
To increase faculty and staff’s awareness and use of on-campus resources, strategies and tools to support students’ wellness and well-being

All sessions can be taken independently. Sessions 1–3 have already taken place this academic year, but sessions 4 and 5 are available. They will be held in Addlestone Library, Room 227. Be sure to keep an eye out for the next availability of sessions 1–3.

Session 1: Wellness and well-being in higher education and at the College: An overview and a microcosm
Session 2: Viva Las Vagus: The foundation of wellness and well-being
Session 3: Case studies from Students of Concern
Session 4: Developing healthy responses to academic stress, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 3–4 p.m.
Session 5: Putting the pieces together: Skills-based role playing, Wednesday, Feb. 21, 3–4 p.m.

Please register at least one week in advance and bring your CofC ID to enter the Addlestone Library.

Sustainability Across the Curriculum Certificate

This three-part workshop introductory certificate can be completed in one year and is offered to faculty in collaboration with the Center for Sustainable Development and the Environmental and Sustainability Studies Program. Participants will explore sustainability as an overarching concept for meaningful student engagement and professional development. The College of Charleston defines sustainability in a pluralistic and inclusive way, encompassing human and ecological health, social justice, secure livelihoods and a better world for all generations. All faculty are invited, including those who are new to the College, those who are new to sustainability and those who would like to deepen their engagement with sustainability in their professional role at the College.

Objectives:

To understand the breadth of sustainability
To identify links between sustainability and the faculty member’s teaching and professional development interests
To develop ideas for engaging with sustainability in the faculty member’s teaching within their discipline
To identify opportunities for sustainability-related experiential learning appropriate for the faculty member’s teaching or professional development
To gain familiarity with opportunities and resources to support including sustainability in one’s teaching and professional development
To nurture community among faculty colleagues through interdisciplinary dialogue around sustainability

All sessions can be taken independently. Sessions 1 and 2 have already taken place this academic year, but session 3 is available and will be held in Addlestone Library, Room 227. Be sure to keep an eye out for the next availability of sessions 1 and 2.

Session 1: Sustainability, the College of Charleston and you
Session 2: Engaging students through sustainability in your courses
Session 3: Experiential learning through sustainability in your courses and beyond, Wednesday, Feb. 7, 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Be sure to register at least one week in advance and bring your CofC ID to enter the Addlestone Library.

Developing Your Research Agenda Certificate

This five-part series certificate program is for faculty who wish to deepen their understanding and use of resources to support their research agenda. The series can be completed in one or two years and is offered to faculty in collaboration with the Office of Research and Grants Administration.

Objectives:

To identify ways that internal and external funding can support your research
To identify and determine appropriate funding sources, including awareness of public and private support for your research
To familiarize yourself with research compliance (Internal Review Board) processes at CofC for research involving human participants
To recognize key components of crafting a grant proposal based on how grant reviews are conducted

All sessions can be taken independently. Sessions 1 and 2 have already taken place this academic year, but session 3-5 are available. They will be held in Addlestone Library, Room 227 and via Zoom, Meeting ID: 659 875 4651. Be sure to keep an eye out for the next availability of sessions 1 and 2.

Session 1: Research 101 – Setting up a research agenda and internal funding
Session 2: Grants 101 – Securing external funding opportunities
Session 3: What you need to know about research compliance processes at CofC

Option 1: Tuesday, Jan. 30, 11 a.m.–12:15 p.m. (Addlestone)
Option 2: Wednesday, Jan. 31, 12-1 p.m. (Zoom)

Session 4: Learning from the experts: Insights on crafting grant proposals