Regional Professional Development Networks

Regional Professional Development Strategy

The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office is committed to empowering faculty in an AI-driven era. As artificial intelligence reshapes the ways we teach, learn, and work, faculty professional development must evolve to meet this moment. This requires professional development that supports faculty as they build the knowledge, skills, and ethical frameworks needed to integrate AI into instruction and student support—ensuring that all students, particularly those historically underserved, can thrive in an increasingly digital and data-informed world. By investing in faculty as leaders of innovation and equity, this strategy also strengthens California’s broader goals: advancing inclusive student success and preparing a skilled workforce for the state’s evolving economy.

This statewide strategy is grounded in a shared belief: that every faculty member—regardless of discipline, location, or role—deserves access to relevant, high-quality learning opportunities that build both technological fluency and human-centered leadership. The plan is structured around three integrated approaches: systemwide learning, regional responsiveness, and disciplinary innovation. Together, these create a professional development ecosystem that is coherent, flexible, and deeply aligned with the realities of California’s colleges. At the center of this approach is a commitment to collaboration across institutions and partners to ensure faculty are not navigating these changes alone.

2026–2027 Regional PD Networks for Teaching and Learning: A Call for Volunteers

Support PD for Teaching and Learning with Your Regional Colleagues

Are you aware of the faculty member in your department who's doing something genuinely exciting with their students — although few people outside their classroom have heard about it yet? Do you notice promising new approaches in teaching, from small moves to deep, transformative shifts across all course modalities with and without technology? Are you guided by a commitment to students and equity-minded teaching grounded in trust and transparency? Do you have a passion for connecting educators? We see you. And we need you.

The Chancellor's Office, in support of Academic Affairs, is recruiting volunteers for four Regional PD Networks for Teaching & Learning — one for each ASCCC geographic area (A, B, C, D) — launching Fall 2026. The networks will help shape statewide professional development by doing what you may already do naturally: spotting the innovators, building relationships, and amplifying the great work happening across our campuses.

Sign up by September 3, 2026

Why This? Why Now?

Last year, the Chancellor's Office convened Regional Professional Development Network (RPDN) Communities of Practice across the state. Faculty were clear: they want curated, relevant, easy-to-access examples of innovative teaching, especially for navigating the AI era. This year, the Chancellor’s Office will build the infrastructure to make that a reality. And we can't do it without people who are connected to the humans doing the work.

What You’ll Help Advance

Regional PD Network members will support the communication and collaboration between statewide initiatives and local colleges to promote awareness, engagement, and implementation of faculty professional development opportunities. This includes the development, delivery, and communication of statewide professional development aligned with current strategic priorities, including AI literacy, accessibility, equity-centered teaching, online teaching and learning, affordability and burden-free access, workforce-aligned program innovation, instructional technology, and other emerging areas that support faculty success. Professional development may be offered in a variety of formats to meet faculty where they are and when they need it.

What You’ll Actually Do

• Join your regional network for monthly Zoom convenings from Fall 2026 through April 2027
• Contribute to the coordination of statewide faculty PD, which may include the Reclaiming Joy event in Spring 2027
• Become familiar with the strategic focus areas driving this work
• Between meetings: have conversations with faculty colleagues, identify the innovators in various disciplines doing exciting work aligned with those priorities, and gauge their interest in being spotlighted in statewide PD (including brief videos, webinars, workshops, and articles)
• Help surface the quiet excellence that deserves a bigger stage
• For those with the bandwidth, opportunities are available to partner with faculty and provide support with content development (videos, articles)

Who Should Participate

You're a great fit if you:

• Are a current faculty or staff member actively engaged in providing or coordinating faculty PD for teaching and learning (you do not need to hold a formal PD role)
• Have established relationships with the faculty across disciplines on your campus who are known for new ideas and experiments in teaching
• Have a passionate commitment to student-centered, culturally grounded teaching practices and a desire to collaborate with regional peers

Instructional designers, accessibility specialists, and other instructional support staff are encouraged to apply.

Ready? Here’s Your Next Step.

Complete the Interest Form by September 3, 2026

Questions? Reach out to Michelle Pacansky-Brock at mpacansky-brock@foundationccc.org.

Participation is voluntary. Please ensure you have the time and support to participate fully. If your local role or responsibilities require coordination or approval, please consult with the appropriate administrator or supervisor before submitting the interest form.