Appreciating and Discovering Creative Energy

About the Institute

Middlesex Community College offers The Institute for Appreciating and Discovering Creative Energy (ADCE) for mid-career faculty, planned by the Office of Professional and Instructional Development and offered through the Teaching, Learning, and Reflection Center (TLRC). The Institute is fully funded by the College and is offered over a one-year period. The fall semester focuses on using an Appreciative Inquiry approach for improving teaching and learning, and the spring semester focuses on reflective practice.

The program begins in the fall with an Appreciative Inquiry Summit where participants learn more about the concepts behind Appreciative Inquiry. The Summit is followed by six meetings in the fall and seven in the spring that all take place on Wednesday afternoons.

ADCE is an outstanding opportunity for faculty to:

  • Take part in collegial conversations
  • Reflect on our primary mission of teaching and learning
  • Share successes and resolve challenges
  • Use Blackboard technology as a tool for learning
  • Reflect on the "community" in community college

Institute Goals:

  • To provide participants with the a working knowledge of Appreciative Inquiry
  • To establish and foster collegial relationships across disciplines
  • To provide an opportunity for faculty to reflect on their teaching and learning practices
  • To support participants as they develop and implement
  • a personal teaching enhancement plan

Eligibility:

The Institute is designed for mid-career, full-time faculty. Because of their vast experience as well as expertise, participants will be asked to assist in planning the content of the Institute.

Compensation and Institute Requirements:

In order to allow participants the time needed to fulfill this year-long commitment, full-time faculty will receive one reassigned time in the spring semester. Participants will be expected to attend the Appreciative Inquiry Summit and all sessions during the academic year, complete assigned readings, and take part in on-going discussions either in person or on Blackboard. Eight to ten participants are usually accepted into each Institute.

Application Process:

  • Apply for acceptance into the Institute
  • Complete the application form
  • Submit application form and resume to your Division Dean
  • Division Deans will forward applications and recommendations to the Office of Professional and Instructional Development(OPID)

Participants are expected to attend all sessions unless there are extenuating circumstances. If you have questions regarding the next program, please contact me at extension 3729 or email at gleasonp@middlesex.mass.edu.

Last Modified: 8/4/23