Topline: Faculty Professional Development Survey

Background

The Office of Institutional Effectiveness collaborated with the Office of Professional Development to survey classified staff about their experience with professional development. All faculty received a survey through email, yielding a 20.88% response rate. Most respondents were from English and Language Studies (20.43%) and/or were from Natural Sciences (14.52%).

Results

Results from the survey will guide and improve future professional development activities. The survey provided insight on professional development needs and interest, logistics (platform, time, day, etc.) and experiences at PCC. Faculty had an opportunity to express additional needs, ideas or comments related to professional development.

Professional Development Needs and Interests

In regards to working at PCC, faculty identified the top 3 needs or interests as: active learning (15.16%), equity-minded/anti-racist/culturally-responsive pedagogy (13.24%), and alternative grading strategies (13.07%).

Professional Development Needs/Interests Related to Pedagogical Techniques	% of respondents
Active learning	15.16%
Equity-minded/anti-racist/culturally-responsive pedagogy	13.24%
Alternative grading strategies	13.07%

In regards to diversity, equity and inclusion, faculty identified the top 3 needs or interests as: culturally-responsive/affirming practices (18.40%), equity gaps (identifying and making sense of them) (18.22%) and trauma-informed practices (11.90%).

Professional Development Needs/Interests Related to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion	% of respondents
Culturally-responsive/affirming practices	18.40%
Equity gaps (identifying and making sense of them)	18.22%
Trauma-informed Practices	11.90%

In regards to student services, faculty identified the top 3 needs or interests as: Academic Counseling (12.91%), Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSPS) (7.19%) and Success Coaching (7.06%).

Professional Development Needs/Interests Related to Student Services	% of respondents
Academic Counseling	12.91%
Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSPS)	7.19%
Success Coaching	7.06%

In regards to other aspects supporting student success, faculty identified the top 2 needs or interests as: completion and transfer (27.09%) and career communities and career exploration (23.18%).

Professional Development Needs/Interests Related to General Technologies	% of respondents
Completion and transfer	27.09%
Career communities and career exploration	23.18%

In regards to teaching technologies, faculty identified the top 3 needs or interests as: accessibility of documents, forms, web sites, Canvas pages, etc. (16.96%), Chat GPT/AI tools (16.76%) and audio/video creation (11.75%).

Professional Development Needs/Interests Related to Teaching Technologies	% of respondents
Accessibility of documents, forms, web sites, Canvas pages, etc.	16.96%
Chat GPT/AI tools	16.76%
Audio/video creation	11.75%

In regards to specific software applications used for academic and/or administrative tasks, faculty identified the top 5 needs or interests as: Canvas integrations (Ally, NameCoach, Playposit, Turnitin, VoiceThread, etc.) (15.14%), Canvas (13.23%) Google Workspace (google docs, slides, etc.) (10.06%), Anthology (9.28%), and Adobe Acrobat (DocuSign) (8.05%).

Professional Development Needs/Interests Related to Specific Software Applications used for Academic and/or Administrative Tasks	% of respondents
Canvas integrations (Ally, NameCoach, Playposit, Turnitin, VoiceThread, etc.)	15.14%
Canvas	13.23%
Google Workspace (google docs, slides, etc.)	10.06%
Anthology	9.28%
Adobe Acrobat (DocuSign)	8.05%

In regards to teaching and working at PCC, faculty identified the top 4 needs or interests as: wellness (15.04%), union contract (14.84%), managing conflict (11.52%) and peer mentoring (faculty to faculty) (11.52%).

Professional Development Needs/Interests Related to Teaching and Working at PCC	% of respondents
Wellness	15.04%
Union contract	14.84%
Managing conflict	11.52%
Peer mentoring (faculty to faculty)	11.52%

In regards to career advancement, faculty identified the top 3 ranked as most important were: leadership development (18.75%), budget management (14.73%) and grant writing (12.95%).

Professional Development Needs/Interests Related to Career Advancement	% of respondents
Leadership development	34.21%
Grant writing	17.81%
Rank advancement	15.38%

In regards to health & safety, faculty identified the top 3 needs or interests as: active shooter training (16.29%), first aid and CPR (14.98%) and personal wellness (14.98%).

Professional Development Needs/Interests Related to Health & Safety	% of respondents
Active shooter training	16.29%
First aid and CPR	14.98%
Personal wellness	14.98%

In regards to retirement and financial planning, faculty identified the top 4 needs or interests as: CalSTRS/CalPRS benefits & rights (46.41%), retirement planning (23.16%), financial planning (17.24%), healthcare after retirement (16.95%).

Professional Development Needs/Interests Related to Retirement and Financial Planning	% of respondents
CalSTRS/CalPRS benefits & rights	46.41%
Retirement planning	23.16%
Financial planning	17.24%
Healthcare after retirement	16.95%

Logistics: Preferred Platform and Time/Day

Faculty preferred in-person professional development activities (32.28%), online synchronous (i.e., self-paced) (26.29%) or online asynchronous (i.e., guided and with a defined timeline for all participants) (23.32%). In terms of the day and time, faculty preferred Friday mornings from 8am-12pm and Monday to Thursday mornings (7am-12pm).

Preferred Professional Development Platforms	% of responses
In-person workshop, one or two hours	32.28%
Online synchronous (i.e., guided and with a defined timeline for all participants)	26.29%
Online asynchronous (i.e., guided and with a defined timeline for all participants)	23.32%

Preferred Times for Professional Development Activities	% of responses
Friday morning (8am-12pm)	48.51%
Monday-Thursday morning (7am-12pm)	30.33%
Monday-Thursday early afternoon (12pm-3pm)	26.61%
Saturday morning (8am-12pm)	20.00%

Participation and Experience with Professional Development

Reasons for not participating in professional development activities	% of responses
Dates/times conflicted with my schedule	43.60%
Topics were not relevant/interesting	21.45%
No funding to support my participation	13.84%

Statements	Strongly Agree	Agree	Disagree	Strongly Disagree
I am interested in participating in professional development.	52.97%	38.12%	3.96%	4.95%
I believe professional development can help me improve my professional practice.	57.14%	38.27%	2.04%	2.55%
I am satisfied with the professional development offerings at PCC.	15.03%	56.99%	20.21%	7.77%
Professional development offerings at PCC help me explore new ways to promote equity in my practice.	26.56%	54.17%	13.54%	5.73%
I am comfortable discussing race-related topics with my colleagues.	35.05%	47.42%	15.46%	2.06%
I am interested in facilitating professional development activities at PCC.	13.54%	36.98%	36.98%	12.50%