Professional Development Day will be on Thursday, August 27, 2026; we can't wait to
see you there!
Schedule:
8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
From 8 to 8:30 a.m., and 10:15 to 10:45 a.m., coffee and tea will be served in the
SMC Main Campus Pavilion (Corsair Gym).
Lunch will be from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. in the Pavilion and catered by Tut's Authentic Egyptian Cuisine. Please RSVP for lunch by Tuesday, August 18th to ensure we have enough food for everyone!
The theme for Fall Professional Development Day is Finding Common Ground: From Foundations to Future.
The theme for this Professional Development Day, Finding Common Ground: From Foundations
to Future, acknowledges the profound challenges our community has faced over the last
several years, both within and outside of SMC. As we navigate a major period of transition,
marked by recent layoffs and the upcoming arrival of a new president, we invite everyone
to reflect on the core foundation that unites us: our students.
Our students provide the purpose and inspiration that bring us to work every day.
Building on this foundation, we want to look toward the future, specifically focusing
on how we can better serve our diverse student body. As a designated Hispanic-Serving,
Minority-Serving, and newly designated Black-Serving Institution, we strive to make
this day a collaborative space to imagine what lies ahead. We invite each of you to
reflect on the vital role you play in cultivating our future and making SMC a more
equitable, inclusive, and deeply connected campus community.
Although there are a small number of HyFlex/Zoom options in the afternoon, we want
to encourage everyone to come to campus! Stronger connections form when we share the same space and spend meaningful time together. Please note, though certain workshops were designed with a specific employee group
in mind, every session is open to all employees at SMC.
Lunch is from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. Please RSVP for lunchby Tuesday, August 18th to ensure we have enough food for everyone. For anyone who
doesn't RSVP, meals will be available on a first come, first served basis. Please
note: we will have a variety of options to cater to different dietary needs.
Interested in helping out on Professional Development day? Submit your interest hereand we'll reach out with more details in the week preceeding Professional Development
Day. All of the logistics for PD Day are a cross-department collaborative effort.
The PDC and CPDC members, EpiCenter, and our larger SMC community are an integral
part of the set up and tear down of the event. We can't do it without the help of
our village; thanks for helping us make the day a success!
Please check out our new bite-sized video series called Touchpoints. These short videos are around 10 minutes or less in length and deliver high-impact
strategies designed to bridge the gap between theory and practice. Each episode dives
into one actionable tool or technique you can learn over coffee and implement in your
next lecture/online module or other work. You can see the current episodes on the
EpiCenter website. While these are currently faculty focused, we would like to create
videos relevant for classified employees and managers too. If you have a topic that
you believe would make a great Professional Learning Touchpoint video, please fill out this form and we will reach out to you with more details. Any new Touchpoint video will be
featured on the Fall PD Day website.
Welcome and Opening Session
Session Time
Title and Description
Link/ location
8:30 - 10:05 a.m.
Welcome and Opening Session
Welcome by Brian Rodas, Scott Silverman, and Abigail Orosz
Dr. Sara Nieves-Lucas will give a meaningful land acknowledgment.
State of the College Address by Dr. Kathryn Jeffery, Superintendent/ President
Brief remarks from Jose Hernandez, President of the Managers Association; Cindy Ordaz,
President of CSEA and Dr. Vicenta Arrizon, Academic Senate President.
SMC Main Campus Pavilion (Corsair Gym)
Opening Session will be recorded for future viewing.
Coffee and Community in the Pavilion (Corsair Gym) from 10:15 to 10:45 a.m.
Finding Common Ground: From Foundations to Future
First Breakout Session- TENTATIVE- Schedule is not yet final
Check out our breakout sessions by clicking the yellow + signs below.
Title and Description
Location/link
Hands-On Course Accessibility Support Lab for Title II Compliance: Digital Access
Coaching
Presenter: Tammara Wittaker and DE Team
Prepare your courses for Title II compliance with hands-on support from SMC's Digital
Access Coaches. In this interactive lab, you'll identify and address common accessibility
issues in Canvas content, documents, images, links, PDFs, slide decks, and videos
to better align with WCAG 2.1 standards and Title II requirements.
To make the most of your time, bring one or two specific course materials to review,
such as a Canvas page, syllabus, PDF, Word document, slide deck, assignment, or video. You'll leave
with practical improvements you can implement immediately.
Who should attend? Faculty/Staff who need to improve the accessibility and usability of their courses or
online content, addressing Title II compliance requirements, and creating more inclusive
learning environments for all students.
As a vibrant and dynamic learning and workplace environment, SMC strives to create
a campus where everyone can thrive. Professionalism and positive workplace etiquette
play an important role in fostering a respectful, inclusive, and supportive community
for both students and employees.
Professional etiquette encompasses the expectations, behaviors, and social norms that
guide interactions in the workplace. Understanding these expectations, as well as
the human behaviors and relationships that shape our campus culture, is essential
to building a healthy and productive work environment.
In this professional development session, we will explore what professionalism looks
like in the workplace, discuss the characteristics and impact of toxic work environments,
and examine how power dynamics influence workplace interactions. Beyond simply following
policies and procedures, we will focus on how each of us can contribute to a positive
workplace culture by building strong professional relationships, improving communication,
respecting workplace boundaries, and creating an environment that better supports
student success and employee well-being.
Supporting students starts with understanding their needs. Join the Basic Needs team
to learn about our programs and services, how to connect students through referrals,
and participate in an honest discussion about the realities and challenges of meeting
students' basic needs across campus.
Hyflex.
Room: HSS263, Zoom link: TBD
This session will be recorded for future viewing. Check back in the weeks following
PD Day for the link!
International Student Experiences @ SMC
Presenters: Pressian Nicolov, Lindsay Poland, and Jeremy Lange
Presenters from the International Education Center will provide an overview of F-1
international student enrollment, including recruitment and engagement efforts. Current
F-1 students will then share insights and takeaways from their experiences at SMC.
Hyflex.
Room: HSS104. Zoom link: TBD
This session will be recorded for future viewing. Check back in the weeks following
PD Day for the link!
WebISIS/APEX Tips and Tricks for Speed and Efficiency
Presenter: Sara Eazell, Academic Scheduling Specialist, Academic Affairs
WebISIS need not be such a bear to use when you know how to create saved reports and
functions that get you the data you need with a few button clicks. In this workshop,
we will review how to use the APEX filter, highlight, data, and chart tools to best
effect so that you may apply these skills to your own department needs and save time.
Hyflex.
Room: HSS151. Zoom link: TBD.
This session will be recorded for future viewing. Check back in the weeks following
PD Day for the link!
The Use of Drones for Teaching and Research
Presenters: Robert Myers, Campus Counsel, Professor Jing Liu
Drones can be a useful teaching and research tool. This workshop would explore the
rules for drone usage and how to secure approval for them. See https://admin.smc.edu/administration/campus-counsel/drones.php
On campus only.
Room: HSS103
This session will not be recorded.
Campus Safety: Awareness, Prevention and Response
Presenter: Chief Johnnie Adams
Overview of campus trends in safety as well as resources dealing with mental health
emergencies, behavioral warning signs, de-escalation basics, and staying safe on campus.
On campus only.
Room: HSS256
This session will not be recorded.
Lunch Event in the Pavilion (Corsair Gym)
Please join us in person in the Pavilion (Corsair Gym) for a delicious lunch from Tut's Authentic Egyptian Cuisine. Lunch will be provided from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. Please RSVP for lunch by Tuesday, August 18th to ensure we have enough food for everyone. For anyone who
doesn't RSVP, meals will be available on a first come, first served basis. Please
note: we will have a variety of options to cater to different dietary needs.
Afternoon breakout Sessions Schedule- TENTATIVE- Schedule is not yet final
Check out our breakout sessions by clicking the yellow + signs below.
Title and Description
Location/link
Upward Mobility: Preparing for the next promotion
Presenter: Dr. Flavio Medina-Martin
Learn how to be better prepared for that next promotion or upward mobility opportunity.
It all starts with an internal thought – an intuition. It starts with you seeking
what that next chapter looks like for you as a potential candidate for that next promotion
or new position. Seeking an opportunity to grow and excel personally and professionally can be exciting,
yet stressful at the same time. Gathering documentation, applying, testing, and interviewing
for a new position and potentially learning a new campus/work culture can be scary
and intimidating. In this professional development and learning session, participants will view this
process through the lens of three major elements that can help to better understand
and prepare for this journey – Mental Preparation, Physical Preparation and a Strong
Sense of Self. It’s important to understand that not every interview will be a successful
one – the question becomes: what are my key takeaways from this process, how can I
refine my interviewing skills to better prepare for the next time, and most important
how this process help shape a person's true direction.
On campus only.
Room: HSS254
This session will not be recorded.
You Can't Pour from an Empty Cup
Presenter: Dr. Natalie Vasquez
This care-centered session creates space for classified professionals to honestly
examine what it means to sustain their impact when institutional demands are high and when the emotional weight
of change, loss, and uncertainty has accumulated. Drawing on storytelling, guided reflection, and collaborative
dialogue, participants explore the relationship between self-renewal, community, and
professional purpose. This is not a surface-level "self-care" session; it is an honest,
grounded conversation about what it actually takes to show up fully in service of
students and colleagues during difficult times.
On campus only.
Room: HSS255
This session will not be recorded.
Pause and Restore
Presenters: Julyssa Guevara, MSW, LCSW; Basic Needs Case Manager
Take a moment to step away from your daily responsibilities and invest in your well-being.
This restorative sound bath offers faculty and staff an opportunity to slow down,
reduce stress, and recharge through the soothing vibrations of crystal singing bowls
and other therapeutic instruments. No prior experience is necessary—simply come as
you are and enjoy a peaceful hour dedicated to rest and renewal.
On campus only.
Room: Quad Lawn, South. By the Pavilion. Will be facilitated outside.
This session will not be recorded.
Job Creep, Reclassification, and Taking Back Your Job: Understanding Classification,
Higher-Level Work, and Career Advancement
Have your job duties evolved over time? This interactive workshop will help classified
professionals understand classification systems, identify job creep, and learn how
Personnel Commission evaluates positions. Participants will leave with practical tools,
AI resources, and strategies to document their work, prepare for classification reviews,
and better understand career pathways within the classified service.
On campus only.
Room: HSS103
This session will not be recorded.
Continuing Education - the New Noncredit
Presenters: Scott Silverman, Dean of Noncredit & External Programs; Luis Jauregui,
Project Manager Noncredit Initiatives; Liz Koenig, Faculty Lead Noncredit
We are considering a rebrand for Noncredit to "School of Continuing Education". What
is Continuing Education and what role can it play in the education life cycle of our
students?
Hyflex.
Room: HSS151, Zoom link: TBD
This session will be recorded for future viewing. Check back in the weeks following
PD Day for the link!
Update on Guided Pathways
Presenters: Jessie Garcia and Kristin Lui-Martinez
The Guided Pathways leads will present the work of the past 2025-2026. The work included
the creation with EGC leads of the GP Collaborative to examine the student journey,
understand the student experience and the friction points they experience, and develop
recommendations for the institution.
On campus only.
Room: HSS165
This session will not be recorded.
Accessibility Toolbag - Learn the basics of a Screen Reader
Presenters: Juan Ramos, Ahra Roh - Adaptive Technology Specialist at the High-Tech
Center
Curious about how well-organized your digital content is for screen reader users?
Join our session to discover Narrator, Window's built-in screen reader. Learn the
fundamentals of Narrator and how to use it. Gain essential insight on how adaptive
technology interacts with digital design.
Hyflex.
Room: HSS263. Zoom link: TBD
This session will be recorded for future viewing. Check back in the weeks following
PD Day for the link!
Title and Description
Location/link
Hands-On Course Accessibility Support Lab for Title II Compliance: Digital Access
Coaching
Presenters: Tammara Wittaker and DE Team
Prepare your courses for Title II compliance with hands-on support from SMC's Digital
Access Coaches. In this interactive lab, you'll identify and address common accessibility
issues in Canvas content, documents, images, links, PDFs, slide decks, and videos
to better align with WCAG 2.1 standards and Title II requirements.
To make the most of your time, bring one or two specific course materials to review,
such as a Canvas page, syllabus, PDF, Word document, slide deck, assignment, or video. You'll leave
with practical improvements you can implement immediately.
Who should attend? Faculty/Staff who need to improve the accessibility and usability of their courses or
online content, addressing Title II compliance requirements, and creating more inclusive
learning environments for all students.
Room: Success and Engagement Center Computer Lab, Student Services Center, 1st Floor.
This session will not be recorded.
Small Moves, Real Change
Presenter: Dr. Natalie Vasquez
Grounded in Dr. Vázquez's Professional Learning Hierarchy of Needs (PLHN) framework,
this workshop helps classified professionals identify the specific, tangible actions
available to them right now without waiting for a title, a budget, or institutional
permission. Participants examine where they sit within the professional learning ecosystem of their campus, what barriers exist, and what moves, however small, can
create meaningful forward momentum. The session blends interactive activities, peer dialogue, and applied reflection
to help participants walk away with a concrete sense of direction and renewed agency.
On campus only.
Room: HSS255
This session will not be recorded.
Reclaim & Restore: Dance is Great Medicine
Presenter: Mark Tomasic, MFA, Certified XPT Breath Coach This restorative workshop offers a dedicated space to release physical and mental
tension through mindful somatic practices. Participants will explore gentle, accessible
movement sequences aimed at regulating the nervous system, improving posture, and
cultivating sustainable daily self-care habits. Leave with practical, body-centered
tools to manage burnout and bring a renewed sense of well-being as you enter the Fall
semester.
Tags: Good for all employee groups.
On campus only.
Room: Core Performance Center- CPC 310.
This session will not be recorded.
Introducing the newly expanded Equity, Pathways, and Inclusion Division
Presenter: Dr. Llanet Martin
Stronger Together: Introducing our expanded Equity, Pathways, and Inclusion Division
On campus only.
Room: HSS165
This session will not be recorded.
Title and Description
Location/link
Recorded on April 8, 2025
Title: Advancing Equity in STEM: Insights from Santa Monica College’s NSF Grant Faculty
Professional Development Initiative.
Description: Santa Monica College is leading the way in promoting equity in STEM education
through its NSF Award #1928737, titled "Fostering an Equity-Minded Student Success Culture in
STEM Through Faculty Development." This session provided an overview of the grant, outlining its objectives and key
outcomes related to faculty professional development and institutional transformation.
Presenters shared insights on the strategies used to support faculty in addressing
equity gaps for Black and Latinx students in STEM, highlighting both successes and
challenges encountered. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how faculty-focused
professional development can facilitate equity-centered change.
Check out our frequently asked sessions by clicking the yellow + signs below.
Fall Professional Development Day is Thursday, August 27, 2026.
Fall Professional Development Day will begin at 8 a.m.
Coffee and tea is from 8 to 8:30 a.m. and 10:15 to 10:45 a.m.
Lunch is from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m.
Afternoon workshops are from 2 to 4:15 p.m.
Yes, Fall Professional Development Day is required for all FULL-TIME college personnel including all faculty, classified professionals and administrators.
All classified professionals, faculty and administrators are required to attend Fall Professional Development Day. Only services critical to the health
and safety of our campus community will remain open. The community is encouraged
to attend in-person. All employee groups have the option to attend the many sessions
in whatever format suits them.
Although there will be a small number of HyFlex/ Zoom options in the afternoon, we
want to encourage everyone to come to campus! We can all build better connections
when we share common space and spend time together.
If you normally work remotely on the day that Professional Development Day falls on,
please work with your supervisor to adjust your schedule to attend Professional Development
Day in person.
If you are unable to attend, you must submit a report of absence (ROA) slip to your
supervisor and use either vacation or sick time.
Classified Professional FAQ
Check out our frequently asked questions by clicking the yellow + signs below.
Supervisors, managers, and administrators are aware that Professional Development
Day is required for all college personnel. Classified Professionals are encouraged
to work with their supervisors to ensure work and attendance is communicated ahead
of time.
Faculty FAQ
Check out our frequently asked questions by clicking the yellow + signs below.
Faculty (full-time) are required to complete 6 hours of flex by attending sessions
that fits your schedule OR by viewing recorded sessions listed on this webpage two
weeks after the event. Additionally there are some prerecorded workshops (First Fridays
and other sessions) at the end of the schedule that you can view to fulfill your flex
credit.
Please report your attendance through mProfessor or through your supervisor/department chair.
You can attend and participate in any session to help fulfill your flex credit obligations.
You may also complete your flex credit obligations by viewing the recorded videos
which will be up on this webpage shortly after Professional Development Day. Some
sessions will be recorded for future viewing.
Yes, you can complete your required professional development day flex credit obligation
by attending live or recorded sessions.
Part-time faculty members may attend sessions during Professional Development Day
to fulfill flex credit obligations.
Flex credit obligations for part-time faculty members vary depending on your current
teaching assignment.
One hour per semester for each weekly hour of teaching assignment.
i.e., Teaching 9 hours per week in a semester requires 9 hours of flex that semester.
Faculty have until June 30, 2027 to report their professional development day flex
hour obligations for the 2026-27 academic year.
If you have any questions about Professional Development Day, contact epicenter@smc.edu.
