WHERE

Middlesex Community College

Bedford and Lowell, MA

WHO

·         Interdisciplinary group of about 15 faculty

·         Faculty facilitator:

-          Donna Killian Duffy (duffyd@middlesex.cc.ma.us, 781-280-3909)

-          Joan Kleinman (co-facilitator from 1998-2002)

HOW

·         Academic Vice President extends invitation to all faculty

·         Participating faculty receive1-2 course releases for a minimum two-year commitment

·         Group meets 12-14 hours per semester

·         Long-term members serve as mentors for new participants

WHY

·         To develop more explicitly a culture wherein faculty routinely share their work in a public forum giving and receiving feedback and constructive criticism.

·         To work effectively with a diverse student body many of whom are academically vulnerable due to factors such as financial responsibilities, underpreparedness, and negative academic experiences.

WHAT

1998-1999: Beginnings

·         Study the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL)

·         Decision to focus on how to create environments that foster students’ intrinsic motivation

·         Presentation at March AAHE Conference

·         Two-part seminar for Middlesex faculty and staff on motivation and teaching practice

·         Presentation on SoTL at statewide community college conference

·         Faculty begin work on individual projects dealing with SoTL in their courses

1999-2000

?         Continued study of intrinsic motivation

·         Presentations at Middlesex professional days

·         Poster presentation at March AAHE Conference

·         Presentation on motivation at statewide community college conference

·         Faculty continue work on individual projects

2000-2001

·         Faculty peer review individual projects

·         Faculty from 1998-1999 complete individual projects

·         Presentation at March AAHE Conference

·         Revision of program based on increased teaching load for faculty

2001-2002

·         Visiting faculty member from Fitchburg State College joins Carnegie group

·         Publication of faculty projects linking SoTL with intrinsic motivation

·         Presentation at New England Association of Schools and Colleges Conference in December

·         Presentation at AAHE Faculty Roles and Rewards Conference in January

·         Presentation on SoTL at Valencia Community College in May

·         Team attends AAHE Summer Academy in July to explore new ways to organize the community as it moves to a stewardship stage

2002-2003

·         Transition time to reflect on role of senior scholars, loss of one facilitator, and demands of larger group

·         Refinement of peer review process and routine for meetings

·         Celebration of progress at January retreat

·         Decision to apply as Carnegie Cluster Leader; acceptance in March

·         Presentations on SoTL at Maricopa colleges, Valencia College, and Salem State College

·         Retreat in June to review projects and plan for emerging cluster work

·         Team attends AAHE Summer Academy in July to initiate collaborative work with Northern Essex Community College, Pine Manor College, Iowa Western Community College, Salem State College, Holyoke Community College, and Valencia Community College