Small College Faculty Development 

Who and what is the “Small College Committee”?   

The Small College Committee of the POD Network was organized in order to serve the specific interests of POD members from smaller schools.  The committee helps represent the interests of small college faculty developers within POD and provides the opportunity to discuss issues related to faculty development work at small colleges.  We believe that institutional context contributes to shaping the approaches and responses to faculty development and to address such issues as creating effective programming, wearing multiple hats as faculty developers, and capitalizing on the special cultural benefits of working at a smaller institution.  

Unlike some other POD committees which have limited membership numbers, the Small College Committee membership consists of anyone who is interested in the issues and concerns of smaller institutions.  Our formal organization consists of a Chairperson, Chairperson Elect, Past Chairperson, and one or more persons designated to contribute to organization of the annual POD conference.  Each of these positions is a two-year term, and individuals are selected at the business meeting of the Small College Committee held at the annual POD conference.   

The current officers are listed here (www.podnetwork.org/about/committees.htm).

The Small College Committee has identified three goals for its committee work.  

• To articulate and represent the small college perspective within the larger context of POD.

This goal involves providing input to other POD committees as they make decisions and establish policies so that the needs of smaller schools are well represented.  POD members from smaller colleges are encouraged to participate fully in the POD committee structure.   

• To provide opportunities for small colleges to collaborate and share knowledge and resources.

This goal involves facilitating connections between small college peers so as to enhance and facilitate our work.  We have the opportunity to connect with each other at the annual POD conference.  To maintain those connections throughout the year, our primary way of communicating is through the SC-POD listserv, which is open to anyone interested in participating.  To join the listserv, go to the web address below.  

http://oak.conncoll.edu/mailman/listinfo/sc-pod 

We are in the process of establishing a Small College Wiki to increase our ability to collaborate with each other.

• To meet the distinctive challenges of small college faculty developers.

While no one characteristic defines a small college or the work of small college faculty developers, most small college developers wear multiple hats and work within an administrative structure significantly different from that of counterparts at large universities.  At many small colleges, faculty development professionals are regular faculty members who are interested in faculty development but come to the job without specific training or mentors for such work on their own campuses. The Small College Committee can play a vital role in helping enhance the small college developer’s knowledge and skills in faculty development. 

Updated March 2009. Content prepared by the Small College Committee.