Hagerstown Junior College, Maryland, has had a staff development program for the past five years. The major components have been evaluated, revised, and integrated into a gestalt paradigm--a total institutional thrust designed to insure that the goals of the college meet the challenges presented by the service area. Each component exists to foster…

Critical reflection refers to an adaptation of civic literacy theory by educators seeking to promote the development of learning communities, taking an analytical approach to educational institutions. Critical reflection is being combined with the praxis approach, which stresses investigating issues, acting based on findings, subjecting outcomes…

Describes trends in two-year college faculty retirement. Argues that colleges can help new faculty members play active roles in realizing college mission by making them feel more a part of the college, increasing mentoring efforts, establishing ongoing professional development activities, decentralizing organizational culture, and recognizing the…

In an effort to promote personal growth in an increasingly de-personalized society, an interdisciplinary humanities course, focusing on the needs of career students, was developed at Hagerstown Junior College (Maryland). The course, "The Arts: A Creative Synthesis", combines art, drama, and music with the intention of introducing…

The number of part-time faculty employed in two-year colleges has risen dramatically in recent years, with current data indicating that 64% of two-year college faculty work part time. It is critical, therefore, that colleges ensure that part-time faculty are well integrated into the organizational culture. In assessing initiatives for helping…