Connect with Your Peers

Both full- and part-time faculty are automatically enrolled in their discipline-specific peer group sites on Canvas. Check your course listings and take advantage of this system-wide tool to collaborate with your colleagues on curriculum development and topics of concern to your field.

To join cross-disciplinary groups such as Distance Education and Open Educational Resources, click here to email us to request enrollment or other assistance.

In Person Meeting Opportunities

Peer-to-Peer Connection Groups may take advantage of any ONE of these options to ensure that all groups have the chance to meet.

CODD/WDAC/ASAC March Meeting

It is our plan to offer the space at The Hotel Roanoke for groups to meet before and after this meeting. We are planning to offer 2 blocks of 3 hours for possible meetings (March 1, 2023, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and March 3, 2023, 12:00 – 3:00 p.m.). Since there are capacity and space limits at Hotel Roanoke to take advantage of the opportunity, chairs/co-chairs will need to sign up and provide the following information to assist with logistics for the event: length of time requests (1, 2, or 3 hours) and anticipated number of attendees. The leaders and the groups will be responsible for the agenda and content of the time requested. We will gather agendas prior at a time closer to the meeting. No expenses will be covered for participants. We will also require a sign in sheet to verify attendance on the day of the session. Please use link below no later than February 17, 2023.

https://forms.gle/CTVDQ5NFdEVn6bue6

New Horizons 2023

During New Horizons 2022, the final concurrent session on Friday morning was offered to Peer groups. Ten groups (7 academic, 3 student services) took advantage of the opportunity. The feedback for this opportunity was excellent overall, but several groups indicated that more time was desired. This year, we have expanded the time available for these groups. There will be an opportunity for interested groups to meet on Friday, March 31, 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. at the Hotel Roanoke following the closing brunch keynote. A link to register for this opportunity will be sent to the chairs and co-chairs of the groups.  Since there are capacity and space limits at Hotel Roanoke to take advantage of the opportunity, chairs/co-chairs will need to sign up and provide the following information to assist with logistics for the event: length of time requests (1, 2, or 3 hours) and anticipated number of attendees. The leaders and the groups will be responsible for the agenda and content of the time requested. We will gather agendas prior at a time closer to the meeting. No expenses will be covered for participants. We will also require a sign in sheet to verify attendance on the day of the session. Please use link below no later than March 3, 2023.

https://forms.gle/CTVDQ5NFdEVn6bue6

Custom Opportunities for Face-to-Face Meetings

If the chair/co-chairs of a group would like to arrange a face-to-face meeting at a local college where there will be no expense for room rental or AV equipment, the Student Success Center can assist in the following ways:

• • Creating a Google forms registration sign in sheet that will be shared with the chairs/co-chairs

• • Providing lunch for registered attendees if a full day meeting is necessary and supported documentation including agenda is provided at the time of meeting request

• • Securing a hotel room block at a local hotel for attendees to call for reservations. (The attendee and/or the college will be responsible for the hotel expense. The room block will only secure the location and if possible, the state per diem rate for the location.)

All attendee expenses (lodging, travel, etc.) will be the responsibility of the attendee and/or their college. The meeting agenda, venue arrangements, and outreach to participants are the responsibility of the chair/co-chair and the members of the group. Requests for these meetings need to be made at least 8 weeks in advance to Caroline Lane (clane@vccs.edu). Requests should include the verified location; meeting date including at least one alternate date; expected number of attendees; and a draft of the meeting agenda.

Other Available Resources and Support

Find Faculty Peer Group Chairs and Co-Chairs

Use the following document to find your faculty peer group’s chair and co-chair:

VCCS Peer Group List (updated April 2023)

Contracting Experts

If there is a need to engage an expert or specialist in the field to address a specific need for the faculty, the Student Success Center can work with the chair/co-chairs to investigate options to fund that work. These requests need to be for field/curriculum specific assistance and not generalized pedagogy that can be offered systemwide.  If there are broader topics that need to be addressed or for which faculty are seeking professional development opportunities, those should be shared with the Student Success Center team at StudentSuccessPD@vccs.edu.  We are always seeking to provide resources and professional development opportunities to benefit our teaching faculty as well as student support and administrative faculty and staff.

Bi-Monthly Chair/Co-Chairs Meeting Opportunity

The Student Success Center will support the chairs/co-chairs of these groups by offering opportunities to connect with one another, share best practices, and have questions answered in a bi-monthly meeting. Caroline Lane, Director of Engagement, will facilitate these virtual meetings. Dates and time for the meetings along with the meeting link will be provided to the chairs and co-chairs several weeks ahead of time.

Support for Zoom Meetings for Groups, if needed

The Student Success Center is pleased to offer meeting support for virtual peer-to-peer connection meetings.  Chairs/co-chairs who are interested should email Caroline Lane (clane@vccs.edu) for assistance and to work out scheduling details.