Week of Professional Learning

10:00 AM - 1:00 PM on Zoom (Flex #) - This Zoom orientation is designed for new part-time/full-time faculty who are teaching in their first or second semester at San Diego City College. The session provides timely support to help faculty prepare for the start of the semester through introductions to key campus leaders, including the Academic Senate President, Vice President of Instruction, and AFT representatives. Faculty will review important milestones, deadlines, and campus resources for the two weeks before and after the semester begins, receive a new faculty orientation checklist to complete with their department chair or faculty mentor, and learn about professional learning expectations and opportunities available throughout the academic year.

Learning Objecives:

1. Identify the key milestones, deadlines, and campus resources that support a successful start to the semester
2. Use the New Faculty Orientation Checklist to guide conversations with a department chair or faculty mentor and complete essential onboarding tasks;
3. Describe the roles of key campus partners and the professional learning expectations and opportunities available to support ongoing instructional success.

Agenda (coming soon)

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM on Zoom (Flex #) - Kick off the semester with a hands-on, practice-focused support session designed to help faculty strengthen their online teaching ahead of the semester. Sessions offer an open-lab format where faculty can drop in anytime between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM to receive personalized guidance on course design, Canvas, online teaching practices, and learning tools. A new mini-topic will be introduced at the top of every hour during a 15-minute micro-lecture, giving participants multiple opportunities to learn, practice, and ask questions. 

Agenda (coming soon)

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

• New Hires Institute - You Belong Here in in R-109 (Flex #). This is the first session of a year-long program that introduces new employees to the City College culture, fosters a group connection, and provides timely information to help you feel comfortable in your new role. In the first session meet college leadership, connect with fellow new hires, and explore what it means to create a culture of belonging at City. Through interactive activities and discussion, participants will reflect on how everyday actions help students and colleagues feel welcomed, valued, and supported.

1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

• Faculty Evaluation Committee Best-Practices Training in R-109 (Flex# ). This training is designed for deans and department chairs who have new full-time faculty going through the appraisal process for the first time. New faculty should also accompany their dean and chair for this session. Led by the Faculty Evaluation Coordinator and Professional Learning Coordinator, the session provides an overview of the appraisal process using the district evaluation guide and establishes shared expectations for all participants. The training also highlights best practices for conducting evaluations that are transparent, collaborative, supportive, and growth-oriented, fostering a meaningful and positive experience for faculty and evaluation committee members alike.

All Day

• Teaching in Practice: Faculty Poster Showcase of Instructional Strategies in Professional Learning Center Lobby (Flex# ). This self-guided poster showcase highlights faculty-designed, classroom-tested instructional strategies across disciplines. Participants explore practical teaching approaches at their own pace and earn flex credit by completing a brief reflection. Presenters: Anastassia Erudaitius (Biology), Emily Garrido (Cosmetology), Ambarta Noor (Communications)

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

• Designing for Everyone: Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Accessibility, and Title II Readiness in R-109 w/Darren Walters, DSPS (Flex# ). Learn about ways to design and implement UDL practices to increase accessibility for all. Information about ADA Title II revisions will be incorporated.

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

• Course Outlines of Record: An Essential Resource on Zoom w/Katy Bailey, Angela Testado (Flex# ). Course outlines of record are the binding document outlining the content for any given California communicty college course. This presentation will cover the what, where, and why of course outlines of record, as well as exploring the overlap and differences between CORs and course syllabi.
• Closing the Loop: Faculty Strategies for Promise to Transfer in R-109 w/Dr. Erin Charlens, Clarissa Padilla (Flex# ). This workshop provides two key overviews that lead to student success and completion. Faculty will learn about the Promise Program at City College, including its structure, interventions, and support services. Dr. Charlens, Transfer Center Coordinator, will present on the transfer process, key agreements, and pathways to guaranteed transfer. By the end of the session, participants will understand how to support Promise students, reinforce pathways, and effectively redirect and refer students to appropriate resources that promote persistence, completion, and transfer.

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

• Faculty Panel: Innovative Uses of Pronto in Canvas on Zoom w/Rob Rubalcaba (Math), Eric Miller (English/ELAC), Melanie Nakaji (ASL); Facilitated by Marco Anzures (Flex# ). Join a faculty panel exploring creative and innovative uses of Pronto within Canvas LMS to support student engagement, communication, and community building. Faculty will share practical strategies, real classroom examples, and lessons learned from using Pronto across different disciplines and teaching modalities. By the end of this session, participants will be able to identify at least one strategy for using Pronto in Canvas to enhance student communication and engagement.
• Community Brilliance Series: DEI+ from a Metaphysical-Spiritual Perspective on Zoom w/Edgar Henderson (Cosmetology) (Flex# ).

12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

• Re-Thinking Office Hours in R-109 w/Dr. Jeremy Hsu, Associate Professor of Biology and biology education researcher at Chapman University (Flex #)  Traditional office hours don't always meet the needs of today's students. This interactive workshop explores practical strategies for making office hours more welcoming, accessible, and purposeful, helping faculty strengthen student engagement, foster meaningful connections, and create opportunities for learning beyond the classroom. 

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

• Reaching Students Intentionally (RSI) in Your Asynchronous Online Course on Zoom w/Marco Anzures (Flex #). Learn how to design intentional, regular and substantive interaction that keeps students connected, supported, and engaged in the asynchronous environment. This workshop shares practical approaches for creating meaningful instructor presence and promoting active learning online.

All Day

• Teaching in Practice: Faculty Poster Showcase of Instructional Strategies in Professional Learning Center Lobby (Flex# ). This self-guided poster showcase highlights faculty-designed, classroom-tested instructional strategies across disciplines. Participants explore practical teaching approaches at their own pace and earn flex credit by completing a brief reflection. Presenters: Anastassia Erudaitius (Biology), Emily Garrido (Cosmetology), Ambarta Noor (Communications)

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

• Sharing the Sky - Planetarium Show (new planetarium showcase!) in S-316 w/Lisa Will (Astronomy) (Flex# ) - Kick off Fall 2026 with a relaxing visit to City’s newly upgraded planetarium. Participants enjoy a guided tour of the night sky, explore the new system, and connect with colleagues in a calm, curiosity-driven setting.
• Integrating Climate Justice Into Your Course in R-116 with Terri Hughes-Oelrich and Lisa Chaddock (Flex# ) - This action-oriented workshop helps faculty integrate sustainability and climate justice into their courses while earning a Leaf or Two Leafs designation. Participants leave with practical examples, clear pathways for curriculum updates, and concrete ideas to embed climate-aligned learning outcomes and assignments.

10:00 AM - 11:30 PM

• Student Course Scheduling Survey Results in R-109 w/Clarissa Padilla (Flex# ). Review the results of the Spring Student Class Scheduling Survey! Over 1,000 students gave their feedback, ideas and preferences, come hear what they had to say!

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

• Basic Needs Center Overview in R-111 w/Basic Needs Center (Diana Valle, Michelle Johnson, Franchesca Valdes Rankin, Michael Evans, and Jovon Owens) (Flex# ). Learn how the Basic Needs Center and Welcome Home City support students through essential programs, services, and referrals. This interactive session provides an overview of the Center's purpose, available resources, student utilization trends, best practices for supporting students in need, and the referral process. Participants will engage in discussion and leave better prepared to connect students with resources that promote well-being and retention.
• Using AI for Good Instead of Evil in R-114/115 w/Sarah Hawkins (Flex# ). Participants will learn about some strategies to mitigate AI use by students in classes and how to effectively use AI to improve their course content.

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

• Using a First Week Questionnaire for Student Success in R-109 w/Elva Salinas (English), Anna Rogers (English) (Flex# ). Discover how a first-week student questionnaire can help build connections, identify student needs, and foster an inclusive learning environment from the start of the semester. This workshop explores effective question design, practical implementation strategies, and ways to use student responses to support engagement, belonging, and academic success.
• Campus Services Snapshot: 5-Minute Intros & Conversations on Zoom with Professional Learning (Flex# ), presenter list. Curious about what Basic Needs, Financial Aid, DSPS, Honors, and other campus services offer? This fast-paced info session gives each department five minutes to share high-level overviews of their support and resources. Use the presenter order to follow the programs you're most interested in, then join them in a breakout room for deeper conversation and Q&A. Perfect for getting connected—quickly and efficiently. Actual presenting departments subject to change, please check the WOPL schedule. Presenting departments (coming soon).

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

• Optimizing Tutoring: Expanding Support Beyond the Classroom on Zoom w/Chris Baron, Becky Wheelock, Lance Soukhaseum (Flex# ). Explore practical strategies for connecting students with the English Center, Math Center, and Tutorial Learning Center to strengthen learning and academic support beyond the classroom. Learn how faculty can collaborate with campus tutoring resources to enhance student engagement, confidence, and success. By the end of this session, participants will be able to identify at least one strategy for leveraging campus tutoring resources to support student learning.
• Who Are City's Dual Enrollment Students? in R-111 w/Shelli Homer (CCAP Coordinator), Steve Bass (Research Analyst) (Flex# ). Come for an interactive workshop featuring data from our College and Career Access Pathways (CCAP) and concurrent enrollment students. Bring your laptop to play with data in your subject area as you learn more about this portion of City College's student population. General curiosity is encouraged.

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

• Mental Health Clinic (Flex# ) (more information coming soon) 

Never Stop Believing in the Power of Hope: A Decade of Transforming Lives Through Social Justice

8:30 AM - 12:00 PM - Convocation in Seville Theatre (Flex# ). Celebrate a decade of advancing social justice and student success through hope, equity, and collective action. This Convocation will showcase exemplar programs and initiatives that have transformed lives, highlight lessons learned, and inspire our campus community to continue creating opportunities where every student can thrive and belong.

The Convocation program also features the Golden Awards recognizing outstanding employees, a special dance performance, and a panel discussion with students, parents, and family members sharing their experiences balancing college, caregiving responsibilities, and personal success.

Lunch to follow the presentation. 

School & Department Meetings

12:00 PM - 5:00 PM - Please view the Flex system or Google calendar to find your School or department meeting information. 

All Day

• Teaching in Practice: Faculty Poster Showcase of Instructional Strategies in Professional Learning Center Lobby (Flex# ). This self-guided poster showcase highlights faculty-designed, classroom-tested instructional strategies across disciplines. Participants explore practical teaching approaches at their own pace and earn flex credit by completing a brief reflection. Presenters: Anastassia Erudaitius (Biology), Emily Garrido (Cosmetology), Ambarta Noor (Communications)

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

• Transfer Palooza: Student Transfer Panel in Saville Theatre (Flex# ). More information coming.