Chancellor's Faculty Professorship

Chancellor's Commonwealth Professors Program

I. PURPOSE

The Chancellor's Commonwealth Professorship program was established in 1989 to recognize and support teaching excellence in the Virginia Community College System (VCCS).

II. THE AWARD

Up to three individuals may be designated Chancellor's Commonwealth Professors each year. Each individual so designated shall retain the title for a two-year term. Each Chancellor's Commonwealth Professor shall receive funding for reimbursable expenses and stipends for two summers to help support the individual's self-directed project. Chancellor's Commonwealth Professors shall also receive reassigned time equivalent to two courses (normally six semester hours) each year during the regular academic year in order to pursue their self-directed projects.

Each Chancellor's Commonwealth Professor will:

receive up to $7,500 from the VCCS in reimbursable expenses related to a teaching/learning project to be conducted for up to two academic years;
receive stipends of $3,000 from the VCCS for two summer semesters;
receive reassigned time from the college and the VCCS, equivalent to two courses a year for two academic years to pursue a self-directed project of personal and professional development related to community college teaching; and
participate periodically in VCCS college seminars or other programs focusing on interdisciplinary topics or other aspects of community college education.

Information about award amounts for reimbursable expenses and the stipend are available from the college Human Resources Office.

III. ELIGIBILITY

Full-time teaching faculty members with at least five years of service in the VCCS and demonstrated teaching excellence are eligible for appointment as Chancellor's Commonwealth Professors.

IV. SELECTION

Annually each college may nominate one or more candidates for designation as a Chancellor's Commonwealth Professor. Each college shall develop its own nomination procedure which shall, at a minimum, include the following features:

a. The individual shall be nominated by letter from the college president, vice-president, or provost. The nomination letter must contain specific documentation of excellence in teaching and of how the instruction sets a standard of excellence.

b. The individual shall develop a specific proposal regarding a self-directed project of personal and professional development related to community college teaching/learning to be conducted during the appointment period. This proposal shall include a detailed budget for the self-directed project.

c. A panel of outstanding educators shall be assembled by the Chancellor to review and make recommendations regarding the colleges' nominations. This panel shall develop its own procedures. Its recommendations may be based solely on the materials presented in the nominating process or, at the discretion of the panel, on additional information obtained during interviews or campus visits with the finalists.

d. The final decision and appointments shall be made by the Chancellor. Up to three appointments may be made at the discretion of the Chancellor.

V. FUNDING

The cost of the Chancellor's Commonwealth Professors Program shall be divided as follows:

a. Reimbursable expenses up to $7,500, two courses reassigned time for each of the two years (for a total of four courses over the two- year period) , and two summer stipends of $3,000 each will be provided by the System Office. Reimbursement will be provided for tuition, travel (including meals and lodging for overnight travel), research, clerical help, books, reference materials, supplies and equipment expenses.

b. The college shall bear the cost of one course reassigned time each semester (normally three credits) for two years for a total of four courses over the two years.

c. Any additional expenses related to the self-directed project shall be shared by the individual and the college in a manner agreed upon by the individual and the college president prior to the submission of the nomination.

VI. APPLICATION PROCESS

VCCS online application is to be submitted by 5:00 p.m. EST on February 1 each year. If due date falls on a weekend, the following Monday will serve as the due date.

Nomination Packets must include the following documents which should be scanned into one pdf labeled with the date and applicant's name (e.g. 2010 Professorship Application - John Smith) and submitted electronically to Nan Ottenritter at nottenritter@vccs.edu.

Letter of nomination from the college president, vice-president, or provost which includes evidence of the applicant's teaching excellence.
The Chancellor's Commonweatlh Professors Application Narrative which includes:
a) Your reasons for applying for the Chancellor's Commonweatlh Professorship Program.
b) A specific proposal regarding a self-directed project of personal and professional development related to community college teaching/learning to be conducted during the appointment period (2 academic years).
c) A statement of how the project will be benefit other VCCS faculty and the VCCS.
Excel Spreadsheet outlining a detailed budget for up to $7,500 reimbursement for funding.
Chancellor's Commonwealth Professors Signature Sheet

VII. SCHEDULE

February 1 Online and electronic nomination materials are due in System Office by 5:00 p.m. EST.

March Selection committee convened by Director of Professional Development, nomination packets reviewed, and committee recommendations forwarded to Chancellor.

April Chancellor appoints the Chancellor's Commonwealth Professors for a two-year period; recipients and their presidents notified of award.

July 1 (award year) to June 30 (2 years hence) Leave is to be taken and funds expended during this time.

July Chancellor's Commonwealth Professors introduced to the State Board.

August Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services sends detailed procedures for paying Chancellor's Commonwealth Professors to appropriate college Dean of Finance.

February 1 Online and electronic nomination materials are due in System Office by 5:00 p.m. EST.

January 1 and June 1 Recipients submit bi-annual reports to the Office of Professional Development at nottenritter@vccs.edu

VIII. GENERAL PROVISIONS

a. If the appointment period of an individual designated as a Chancellor's Commonwealth Professor would normally conclude during the period of this designation, the appointment period shall automatically be extended to the end of the Chancellor's Commonwealth Professor appointment.

b. Designation as Chancellor's Commonwealth Professor shall not affect the faculty rank of the individual.

c. The summer stipends shall not become a part of the individual's base salary.

d. Each Chancellor’s Commonwealth Professor shall be expected to participate periodically in VCCS seminars or other programs focusing on interdisciplinary topics and/or special aspects of community college education, such as New Horizons, peer groups, etc.