4.9.5.p. Procedure: Southeastern Technical College Professional Development

I. Purpose

It is the philosophy of Southeastern Technical College (STC) to promote and support quality professional development opportunities for personnel.

II. Related Authority

TCSG Policy 4.9.5 Staff Development
TCSG Policy 4.9.3 Tuition Remission and Reimbursement for Approved Staff Development.

III. APPLICABILITY

This procedure applies to all full-time Southeastern Technical College employees.

IV. DEFINITIONS

Professional Development: A planned and organized learning activity that improves job competencies and professional growth. This activity may include any pre-approved effort that increases an employee's level of knowledge and improves his/her performance, i.e., attending routine committee meetings, specific training on a piece of equipment, or Technical College System of Georgia meetings.

V. ATTACHMENTS

Southeastern Technical College Professional Development Activity Form
Southeastern Technical College Professional Development Annual Plan Form


VI. PROCEDURE

Each employee at Southeastern Technical College is required to participate in professional development activities. Each employee must complete an annual individual professional development plan that is approved by the employee's supervisor. Employees must complete all plans by April 30 each year. The annual performance evaluation shall be used to determine if the professional development plan was successfully completed. Satisfactory completion of the annual professional development plan is a condition of continued employment. Extensions and/or modifications of the professional development plan are at the discretion of the supervisor. Prior to making a commitment to participate in a professional development activity, the employee must obtain authorization from the supervisor via email. The activity must be approved by the employee's supervisor at least five (5) days in advance of the travel date. Approval of professional development activities will be contingent upon the presence of an appropriate need and available resources. Employees are not authorized to participate in professional development activities unless the activities are a part of an approved professional development plan or an approved change or addition to the plan. When professional development activities include travel and reimbursable expenses, a Travel Expense Form must be completed in the CONCUR system. No additional raises or compensation will be given for degree advancement unless the employee has written approval from the President. Prior to making a commitment to participate in a professional development activity the employee must obtain authorization from their supervisor. Employee eligibility for participation in individual training and development programs will be determined based on criteria set forth in TCSG's Procedure 4.9.5p Staff Development. Following completion of the staff development activity, the employee must complete the Professional Development Activity Form by providing a narrative assessment of the activity or other appropriate documentation. Documentation of all professional development activities will be maintained by the College.

Suggested Activities

The five classifications of staff development activities are specialized study, technical study, in-service programs, Georgia Leadership Institute Training programs, and special training requirements. The guidelines for these types of activities can be found in TCSG's Procedure 4.9.5p Staff Development. Examples are: College courses, Southeastern Technical College courses, state or local activities, industry workshops or seminars, planned business/industry updates or other organized and structured activities. These could include the Faculty Development Institute, professional conferences, back to industry, professional readings and/or research, webinars, or instructing peers or colleagues in staff development. Certificate, diploma and degree programs may be considered for inclusion in the employee's professional development plan.

Scheduling Activities

Professional development may take place at any time with the approval of the supervisor. Activities for teaching faculty will normally be scheduled outside of class time and around registration responsibilities. Activities for administrative and support personnel will be scheduled around work responsibilities. Please note that some activities may be required by the supervisor or the Technical College System of Georgia. Participation in credit or non-credit classes toward a certificate, diploma, or degree requires that leave be taken for classes attended during working hours.

Hours Required

Faculty and administrative personnel are required to participate in a minimum of 50 hours of professional development annually while support staff must complete a minimum of 20. The Administration of STC has the authority to reduce the required number of professional development hours if the College experiences budget cuts due to allocation reductions or declines in local revenues. All employees are encouraged to develop themselves as fully as possible. Therefore, some plans will far exceed the minimum hours required. The supervisor and the employee will determine the number of hours appropriate for an individual's plan. Support personnel will participate in professional development activities during regular work periods as approved by their supervisors. It is the supervisor's responsibility to assist with the scheduling of these activities.

Employee	Minimum Hours
Faculty	50
Support Staff	20
Administrative	50

Plan for New Employees

A new employee will complete a self assessment in the first six weeks of employment and a staff development plan will be prepared. Plans for newly employed instructors without prior teaching experience should focus on developing teaching skills. Plans for new support personnel should focus on job-related competencies.

Plan for Experienced Employees

Plans for experienced instructors should focus on professional development and improved teaching skills and job competencies. Plans for support personnel should focus on improved job competencies and professional growth.

Changes in Plan

Changes in the initial plan will be made with the approval of the supervisor. Requests for changes should be made on the activity report prior to the participation in the activity. Changes will be reflected on the professional development plan.

Expenses

All expected expenses (travel, registration fee, etc.) must be estimated and indicated on the Professional Development Annual Plan. Each amount requested should include a justification. Reimbursement for expenses will depend upon the availability of funds and the nature of the activity. In all instances, employees should obtain authorization for professional development activities prior to obligating themselves for any related expenses. Unapproved expenses will not be reimbursed.

Degree Programs

Degree programs may be considered for inclusion in the employee's professional development plan. When this is desired, the employee should develop a program of work for the entire degree program and present this to the administration for approval prior to any commitment by the employee to participate in the program as a professional development activity.

Personnel will not be reimbursed for tuition or related expenses for course work which is part of a degree program. Personnel will not be granted time away from work to pursue a degree.

Specialized Study and Technical Study Programs

If an employee has received prior approval from his or her supervisor to enroll in credit or non-credit classes at Southeastern Technical College or at another technical college as professional development, any expenses not paid by financial aid will be covered by STC as a staff development expense if the course is successfully completed. The class taken must be clearly related to the employee's job or career in the organization and must be successfully completed to be considered professional development.

Current Staff Development Annual Plan

At the time the evaluation is reviewed with the employee, a copy of the completed, current year Professional Development Annual Plan along with all original activity forms and supporting documentation will be submitted to the evaluating supervisor. The supervisor will forward all documents to the appropriate Vice President. Upon approval, the Vice President will submit these documents to the Human Resources office by May 1.

New Professional Development Annual Plan

At the time the evaluation is reviewed with the employee or a new employee is hired, a new Professional Development Annual Plan should be developed and sent to the evaluating supervisor. The new Professional Development Annual Plan will be submitted to the appropriate Vice President for final approval. The Vice President, upon approval, will electronically send a copy to the employee and the Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness.

References
Exhibit: Southeastern Technical College Staff Development Activity Form
Exhibit: Southeastern Technical College Staff Development Annual Plan Form

Adopted: June 25, 2009
Reviewed: January 11, 2017; January 17, 2019; January 16, 2020; January 19, 2021; January 26, 2022; January 22, 2024;
Revised: January 18, 2018; January 18, 2023;