The Professional Development Mentors Program (PDMP) is designed to encourage and support innovative projects that will enhance instruction and promote student learning.  Full-time (first priority)  and part-time faculty who are selected for this program develop and implement a plan for mentoring other faculty members and are recognized as “Faculty Mentors” at appropriate university functions and in university publications.  The Faculty Mentors Program is a result of the collaborative efforts of the Faculty Development and the Learning Technology committees.

 Applicants may apply for: 

1. a $1,500 stipend and up to $2,000 in additional, justified funds needed to support the project;
2. a $2,500 stipend for one course release, subject to approval of the department chair and the school dean, and up to $1,000 in additional, justified grant funds; or
3. any modification to the above based on project details.

Successful proposals will include innovative approaches to teaching and learning, with a particular focus on student achievement and will have a potential interest to other faculty members.  Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals in any of four areas: 

1. Curriculum Development:
   Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals that provide innovative approaches to curriculum design, including but not limited to international/multicultural issues, interdisciplinary approaches, capstone experiences, community outreach activities, and/or service learning.
    
2. Student Assessment:
   Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals for innovative approaches to assessing student knowledge and skills.  These might include performance assessments, portfolios, journals, written assignments, or technology-based approaches.  Faculty should consider the General Education Guidelines for student knowledge, skills, and dispositions when deciding on appropriate assessment “targets.”
    
3. Instructional Strategies:
   Proposals may address any innovative approach to instruction, including but not limited to cooperative learning, team-teaching, librarian/faculty collaboration to integrate research skills into the curriculum, multi-sensor instruction, or implementation of multiple teaching pedagogies that promote learning that taps students’ multiple learning styles.
    
4. Instructional Technology:
   Proposals may address any area of instructional technology.  Areas include but are not limited to “web enhanced courses,” multimedia enhancements to course materials, and innovative uses of “smart” classrooms.  The reviewers will not necessarily expect each applicant to have significant experience with technology.

Faculty Mentors will agree to do the following (at the completion of the program):

1. modify at least one course with an innovative approach to teaching and learning.
2. submit a brief final report and abstract to the Senior Instructional Designer by 1 June and a  final evaluation of their projects to their respective school deans within one year of receiving the grant.  This evaluation report should represent an appropriate piece of scholarship that can be shared both inside and outside of the university community.
3. participate in a university-wide Teaching and Learning Resources and/or Faculty Development Workshop by facilitating a session based upon their project.
4. serve as Faculty Mentors in their departments, schools or for the university at large.  During the tenure of the appointment and as needed, applicants must be available to mentor other faculty and participate in working peer sessions with other Faculty Mentors.
5. participate in a Dean’s Forum or other school events as requested.

 Application Process

1. Submission of a proposal no longer than 5 double-spaced pages (approximately 1,000-1,500 words) that includes the following:
    
   1. Title and a 100-150-word overview.
   2. Purpose:  A clear explanation of the purpose and scope of the project, including expected outcomes.
   3. Description:  A detailed description of planned activities and tentative approach.
   4. Mentoring Plan: a description of how results of the projects will be shared with colleagues.
   5. Evaluation Plan:  an explanation of how the project will be evaluated.
   6. Timeline:  a brief description of when the project will begin, significant interim dates, and termination date.  The project can last up to one year (two semesters).
   7. Budget:  An explanation/justification of the need for all grant support funds (including justification for course release or stipend based on time required) and an itemized summary of how the grant support funds (and any additional external funding) will be spent, including the type and cost of any equipment, specialized software, licenses, materials, or other supporting expenses (such as consultants).  If requesting equipment, include a statement addressing your efforts to locate the equipment on campus. 
   8. Technical support:  A statement on the equipment and technical expertise, beyond that specified in F above, which will be needed for support of this project.
       
2. All proposals require both the Chair’s signature and the Dean’s signature.  If a course release is sought, consult with and obtain a signature endorsement first from the department chair and second from the school dean in advance of beginning an application. A signature form is on the TLR web site at http://www.salisbury.edu/library/tlr/mentors/ProposalSignature.doc.

Proposals will be evaluated by the Faculty Development Committee and the following ex-officio members:  the Provost or his or her designee, Senior Instructional Designer in TLR, the Chief Information Officer or his or her designee, and a current Faculty Mentor selected by the current Faculty Mentor group.  Evaluation will be guided by the following questions:

1. Purpose: Does the project have well-defined, measurable outcomes?  Does the project include student-centered outcomes?  How is the proposed project related to the body of research and practice in teaching and learning?  How will the proposed project improve student learning?  Are the outcomes significant in terms of number of students served, importance to a particular degree program, increased effectiveness of teaching and learning, and/or relationship to the University Strategic Plan?
2. Description:  Does the project encourage active student learning?  Are the proposed innovations critical to the teaching/learning process?  Are the proposed activities reasonable and appropriate?
3. Mentoring Plan:  How will this project be relevant and important to other faculty members?  How many faculty members will be influenced by the project activities?  How significantly will these faculty members be influenced?  
4. Evaluation:  Are proposed evaluation strategies reasonable and appropriate?  Are all proposed outcomes evaluated?
5. Timeline:  Is the timeline reasonable and appropriate?  Are all-important activities included on the timeline?
6. Budget:  Is the budget reasonable and appropriate?  Are all necessary expenses included in the budget or as "in-kind"?  Will the necessary equipment and technical support be available for this project?
7. Qualifications of the Candidate:  Is the candidate trying to do something which is new and innovative, given the candidate's discipline and professional growth?  Is the candidate comfortable and capable in taking on the role of "faculty mentor?"

Timeline:  Application Deadline: April 1, 2007.  Send proposals (2 print copies and 1 e-mail) to: Melissa Thomas, Teaching & Learning Resources, mdthomas@salisbury.edu).  Grant announcements will be made around May, 2007.  Grantees must abide by appropriate fair use laws, copyright laws, and the SU Intellectual Property Ownership Policy.

 Note:  A sample proposal and listing of Mentor projects are available at http://www.salisbury.edu/library/tlr/mentors/mentors.htm.