Professional development for faculty members

Professional development is relevant at all stages of your career, and is not (necessarily) remedial. We encourage all faculty to check out the resources listed here.

PD workshops and courses are also a great way to meet people and create networks across campus, which in turn can further your professional development!

On-campus professional development opportunities

Centre for Teaching Excellence: an annual conference, one-on-one guidance, workshops, a course design retreat, grants for research on teaching and learning, and more. CTE also facilitates the workshops on graduate supervision that are required for getting Approved Doctoral Dissertation Supervisor (ADDS) status.
Writing and Communication Centre: support for faculty as both instructors and writers, including one-on-one consultations and a weekly Faculty Writing Café (Wednesdays from 2:00pm to 4:30pm in SCH 228F)
FAUW: an annual tenure and promotion workshop series, new faculty events, and more
Academic Leadership Program: training for Academic Chairs and Directors, Associate Chairs/Directors, and Associate Deans
Organizational & Human Development: workshops in leadership development, business communication, inclusivity, and more
Information Systems & Technology: IT Professional Development (ITPD) and Skills for the Academic e-Workplace workshops
Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion Office: A range of trainings and workshops, including equitable recruitment training, the Making Spaces for LGBTQ+ persons program, and the online Sexual Violence Awareness, Referral and Support training
Sustainability Office: The Sustainability Certificate is a seven-part series that provides UWaterloo employees with a basic understanding of key local and global sustainability issues, as well as efforts underway to address them.
Centre for Extended Learning: Professional Development courses ranging from languages to project management to MS Office
Waterloo International: funding opportunities, and grants to help you internationalize your course content
Centre for Career Action: advising and workshops for employees on career values, work permits, retirement, and more

The University also has an institutional membership in the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity, which provides webinars and courses on topics including teaching, research, writing, anti-oppression, tenure, mentorship, and more. The office of the Associate Vice President, Academic, has more information and instructions for joining.

What you need to know

Most of these opportunities for professional development on campus are free and short-term commitments.
Professional development can be very helpful when you’re ready to take on an administrative role.
FPER (the Faculty Professional Expense Reimbursement Plan) can cover expenses related to professional development, including conference attendance, workshop costs, and materials.
Policy 4 – Benefits to Faculty and Staff Undertaking Part-time Educational Programs gives you free tuition for up to two courses per term.
There is mandatory training for all employees on accessibility and safety.
You can take any course on LinkedIn Learning by logging in with your Waterloo ID.

Who to talk to

Other faculty members, about opportunities they may have accessed on campus.
Your chair/director and dean, about gaps in your performance review and what would be appropriate for you; opportunities specific to your department/school and faculty.
Monica Vesely at the Centre for Teaching Excellence, about personalized development planning.
FAUW staff, if you see a gap in available PD that needs filling—especially if you’d like to fill it yourself! Professional development can be something you design and deliver, not just something you take, and we’re happy to help you make that happen.
Teaching Fellows in your Faculty, for mentoring and resources related to teaching.