As an adjunct faculty member at Montclair, you serve a vital role in our students’ success and educational experience. This page offers a collection of faculty development opportunities available to support your professional growth and navigate the unique nature of adjunct instruction. You’ll find below support specifically tailored to adjunct faculty, as well as resources available to all in the campus community.
Professional Development Opportunities from OFE
- OFE’s “Just for Adjuncts” Series is designed to offer a space for adjunct faculty to connect with one another and share in both informal and structured discussions about working at Montclair. Some sessions are offered as “drop-in” hours to ask a quick question or get feedback. Others are facilitated workshops or panels dedicated to a particular topic. Some sessions are led by fellow adjuncts, others are facilitated by OFE or campus partners. Find “Just for Adjuncts” sessions during the fall and spring semesters on OFE’s events calendar. View past recordings below. Interested in leading a session or have a topic to suggest? We welcome your ideas and expertise! Submit your ideas here: “Just for Adjuncts” Interest Form.
Adjunct faculty who also work as industry professionals bring a wealth of knowledge and practical experience to the classroom. How do instructors translate their professional expertise into impactful learning opportunities for students? Find out from our panel of experts! Join us to learn about ways adjunct faculty coming from the professions can successfully turn their industry experience into sound pedagogical practice, providing students with invaluable real-world, first-hand insight into their disciplinary study.
Panelists:
- Melissa Donahue, Social Work and Child Advocacy
- Tobi Elkin, College of the Arts; School of Communication and Media
- Dan Mansperger, Marketing
- Gary Pankiewicz, Writing Studies; Teaching and Learning
- Gloria Walker, School of Communication and Media
Moderator: Courtney Crimmins, OFE
Led by Dena Quiñones, Dept. of Public Health, this workshop for adjuncts will explore the benefits of the transformative practice of breath work and mindful movement, as tools to enhance well-being, reduce stress, and improve focus in both personal and professional life. Research has shown that these practices reduce stress, enhance focus, and promote overall well-being. Participants will engage in simple exercises that integrate breath awareness with gentle movement designed to cultivate mindfulness and body awareness, promoting relaxation and mental clarity in any setting. The session will also highlight how these practices can support academic performance, emotional regulation, and overall health. The workshop will empower adjuncts with simple yet effective techniques they can incorporate into their daily routines and share with students. Whether you’re new to these practices or looking to deepen your practice, this workshop provides an opportunity to practice how to integrate breath work and mindfulness into daily life.
Have you ever wondered what happens when instructors submit an academic dishonesty report? Curious to know how instances of suspected cheating, including improper use of AI, are handled? Join us for this session with Montclair’s Director of Student Conduct Christopher Trautman and learn more about the academic dishonesty process. Bring your questions!
- 1:1 Consultations: You are invited to speak confidentially with an OFE faculty developer about your professional development goals by making an appointment.
- Workshops: Search OFE’s calendar for workshops of interest.
- Research and Writing Groups: At the Office for Faculty Excellence, we like to bring people together for motivation, accountability, and community. Many people find they are more productive when they write together, even if it’s silently on Zoom. We offer research and writing groups in several different formats, so every researcher can find a group that fits their needs best. Research and writing groups are open to faculty of all ranks.
- Journal Article Writing Community: This program offers a guided approach to writing a journal article, breaking down key steps in the process over 12 weeks. Open to faculty of all ranks.
- Research Support: Collection of resources at the University and beyond.
- Faculty Showcases: OFE, along with campus partners, hosts showcases for faculty members of all ranks to come together as presenters and audience members to share their expertise with colleagues.
- Teaching as Reflective Practice: This webpage offers strategies and resources for “data gathering and self-reflection, critique, ongoing learning, and experimentation.”
- Montclair Teaching: A Mini Course for Faculty: OFE offers this moderated asynchronous, at-your-own-pace mini-course, that introduces instructors to the University and reviews supportive pedagogies, syllabus and assignment design, and lesson planning. Both new and returning instructors may find it useful. Participants receive a Certificate of Completion for finishing the course.
- Montclair Syllabus: Build a professional syllabus in line with Montclair expectations. Asynchronous and synchronous support is available through OFE and ITDS.
- Strong Student Campaign: Sign the pledge, and incorporate materials and strategies into your course to help your students succeed in college.
Professional Development Opportunities from Campus Partners
- CAPS: Counseling and Psychological Services offers Mental Health First Aid training. The certification earned after completion of the training requirements is valid for three years.
- CTAI: The Center for Teaching and Academic Innovation offers Montclair faculty teaching support, including a collection of asynchronous resources found on its Teaching Resources webpage.
- CWE: The Center for Writing Excellence is available to all university students, faculty, staff and alumni. Make an appointment to develop your academic, professional, and personal writing skills (and teaching of the same).
- DRC: The Disability Resource Center provides training for faculty through its Disability, Awareness, Training, and Empowerment (D.A.T.E.) program. See “Accessibility Training and Support” for more information.
- ITDS: Instructional Technology and Design Services offers a variety of faculty development support. ITDS’s EOTL101: Empowering Online Teaching and Learning: Foundations for Success is intended to provide faculty with an overview of online teaching and learning, applicable to both online and hybrid courses. Participants will explore strategies for creating inclusive online learning environments, the qualities of successful online instructors, and considerations for conducting effective assessments online. Register to join the Fall 2025 cohort.
- The Public Speaking Resource Center offers faculty, staff, and students the opportunity to hone their public-speaking skills.
- University Libraries: Find workshops for yourself and for your students on a variety of topics, including research, literature reviews, and citation management.
Funding Possibilities
- The Adjunct Research and Professional Development Fund is available to eligible adjunct faculty to apply for funding for conference participation, research for publication, and creating/completing artistic works. Contact the Montclair Adjunct Union for more information.
- Talk to your department about possible internal funding opportunities for adjuncts at the department and/or college level.
- Look for external funding opportunities through professional organizations, such as field- or discipline-specific associations. Colleagues in your department may be able to help identify such organizations in your area of specialization.
Last Modified: Friday, October 17, 2025 10:04 am
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