California State University, Channel Islands
AC-7: Incentives for Developing Courses

The Office of Faculty Development at California State University, Channel Islands provides a number of support services for faculty to support them in developing sustainability course offerings - from professional development for junior and more senior faculty members to teaching workshops and training. The activities of faculty development are directed by the Faculty Development Advisory Committee (FDAC) and coordinated by Teaching & Learning Innovations and the Provost’s Office.

According to their Mission Statement, the “…Office of Faculty Development and the Faculty Development Advisory Committee (FDAC) are dedicated to helping all faculty flourish as teachers, scholars, and colleagues. Faculty development programs, services, and resources enhance instructional innovation and effectiveness and support scholarly and creative activities, including the scholarship of teaching, and University or community service. The Office of Faculty Development and FDAC advocate for university resources to support faculty needs and cultivate a positive, sustainable academic environment.”


1) Faculty Research and Development MiniGrants: Faculty are invited to apply for a grant for faculty research, scholarship, and creative activity projects. These small grants average approximately $7,000 for release time, summer salary, travel, supplies, equipment, etc. to pursue innovative scholarship and teaching innovation.

2) Mentoring Networks at CSUCI: CSUCI’s Mentoring Program for New(ish) Faculty–is built on a network model of mentoring. A network model of mentoring asks faculty to reflect on what they want and need and then seek out connections to help them achieve these things–in other words, to identify and cultivate an individualized team of people who can help them realize their professional goals.

3) Mentoring Mondays: All Tenure Track faculty in their first or second year are invited to participate in Mentoring Mondays. These gatherings for new(er) tenure track faculty enhance their knowledge of CSUCI faculty roles and to provide space for collaboration and supportive conversations about responsibilities and expectations.

4) Faculty Inquiry Projects (FIPS): Faculty Inquiry Projects are “faculty communities” focused on meaningful questions around big ideas. Groups will meet 5 times throughout the semester either in-person or virtually via Zoom; schedules are set ahead of time, and faculty apply to a particular group knowing that they are expected to attend at least 4 meetings.

5) National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (NCFDD): CSUCI is an institutional member of the National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity (NCFDD) - a nationally-recognized independent organization dedicated to supporting faculty, particularly under-represented faculty, post-docs, and graduate students in making successful transitions throughout their careers. NCFDD provides online career development, training, and mentoring resources.

General incentives include funding for professional development, training in demonstrating effective student learning (assessment), workshops in teaching and assessment, retreats, in-class guest lectures on learning, ethics and critical thinking. Specific examples are listed above.