Professional Development Committee
Meeting Minutes
MEETING DATE: 10/12/2026
1. Call to Order
2:47 PM
2. Welcome and Introductions
Quorum was reached.
3. Review and Approval of Agenda
Motion: Julie N.; Second: Elizabeth O.; Carries: by consensus
4. Review and Approval of Minutes (Sept. 14, 2026)
Motion: Julie N.; Second: Cheryl D.;
Discussion: correct Paisley’s name spelling; update Teaching Institute location to
Terra Mia; Correct typos. Abstention: Erick B.; Carries: by consensus
5. Public Comments
(Limited to 3 minutes per person. The PDC cannot act on these comments) - none
6. Old Business
6.1 Future Flex Days
- Keynote:
According to Dani M. – LGBTQ+ has funds for keynote speaker, Paisley Currrah. Savannah submitted Dr. Khalid White. David P. is not sure about the logistics for Dr. White as far as cost and availability. He invited discussion on the keynote choices. Erick B. – has attended several presentations and events with Dr. White, described him as very charismatic, and believes he would be well-received here. Cost and availability are considerations. After reviewing information sent out prior to the meeting, the committee ranked Dr. White as first choice, Paisley Currah second. The LGBTQ+ contingent may want to invite Paisley for a presentation another time. Dr. Foster suggested there may be President’s Speaker Series funds available to cover at least part of speaker cost. - Meals:
Aubrie R. recommended Boudin for grab & go lunches. The committee agrees to this. Fresh & Natural is normally contracted for breakfast and coffee due to convenience of set-up, clean-up, etc. and partnering with our campus vendor. The college can use third-party vendors; however, we want to maintain a relationship with our current food service vendor. Andreas P. requested for afternoon coffee.
7. New Business
7.1 Conference/Activity Proposals
- Stephany Chavez - NAEYC Annual Conference 2026, Washington, DC, Dec 4-8, 2026,
Total cost: $2031.38 - Margaret Costello-Chevis - NAEYC Annual Conference 2026, Washington, DC,
Dec 4-8, 2026, Total cost: $2031.38 - Souzan Eskarous - NAEYC Annual Conference 2026, Washington, DC, Dec 4-8, 2026,
Total cost: $2031.38
Motion to approve each of the above proposals for $750 PDC general funds. Other funding
sources may be available to pay the balance.
Motion: Helen C.; Second: Julie N.; Abstentions: none; Carries: by consensus
Andreas P. asked if several colleagues are attending the same conference, must their submission requests be different, or are generally identical requests acceptable? David P. responded that as long as proposal information provided is relevant to the employees’ positions, it is fine of they use the same wording.
Anela S. asked if there is a deadline for submitting conference requests. David P. indicated that during summer, long breaks between meetings, or time sensitive requests, the chairs can approve or an email committee vote can be taken. Proposals are accepted all year, and may be approved as long as funds are available, and they are submitted within the correct fiscal year.
Andreas P. asked about PDC funds for part-time faculty to attend conferences/ trainings; David P. pulled up the policy on website regarding requirements. This can be found at PDC->Conferences-> Eligibility.
Chair Approvals (committee vote was by email due to close timeline).
- John Ruys - LGBTQ+ Leadership Institute, Atlantic City, NJ, Oct. 12-16, 2026, $750
approved by committee email vote: 9/17/26
John Ruys will not attend this conference. He asked to defer the funds to attend an RP Group conference instead. This change was chair approved. - Angel Contreras Cardenas - OEGlobal [ZTC] Conference, Cambridge, MA, Oct. 6-10, 2026, $750, approved by committee email vote: 9/24/26
7.2 Flex Day Proposals
- Amanda Castelli & Jennifer Tonn: DSPS Accommodations & Testing: What Are You Responsible For?
- Craig Kutil: CPL – Exams & Rubrics
- Paul Sapsford: Pickleball
- Ted Lee 1 – updated: A Hands-On Introduction to Building and Programming Robots using LEGO
- Ted Lee 2 – updated: AI Power-Up: Microsoft Copilot Essentials
- Ted Lee 3 – updated: Designing Your Life by Applying Design Thinking to Life and Work
Erick B. commented that Ted Lee’s third proposal is more about Caring Campus. David P. expects more flex day proposals will come in from John R., Kat K. and Wanda B., Evelyn A., and others. Currently, approx. 16 proposals have been submitted. The high mark has been 48 proposals. The deadline to submit is November 12 - one month before the semester ends. As a consequence of the compressed calendar, fewer proposals may be submitted this year.
Motion to approve submitted proposals: Erick B.; Second: Elizabeth O.; Carries: by consensus. If more proposals come in, David P. may email batches for committee approval ahead of the November meeting.
7.3 New Photo
Postponed until next meeting
8. Information Items
8.1 PDC Budget Update
- PDC General Funds – approximately $12,000 left after today’s approvals
- SEA Funds have been spent
8.2 New Faculty Orientation
Dean Mattern will talk on incident management
8.3 Teaching Institute
The first Teaching Institute of the year will be held Wed. Oct. 21, 5:30 to 8:30 PM. RSVP to Frances Hui by 10/14. Note new location: Terra Mia Italiano in Livermore. The theme, Roses and Thorns: Let's Talk about Teaching, centers our successes and challenges. We will workshop ideas to achieve a stated teaching or student-engagement objective and amplify successes that others can adapt and learn from.
8.4 Caring Campus Update
None.
9. Good of the Order
David P. gave a shout out to those who were part of the LPC Games: we have an emcee and faculty/admin participants on the committee.
10. Adjournment
3:24 PM
Next meeting: Nov. 9, 2026, 2:45 PM, in room 21247