Professional Development Assignment

A Professional Development Assignment (PDA) is an academic sabbatical that serves as an intentional intellectual retreat, allowing faculty members to renew, refocus, and advance their scholarly, creative, and instructional work.

PDAs are mutually beneficial to faculty and the College of Communication and Fine Arts (CCFA). By supporting sustained research, creative activity, and professional renewal, PDAs strengthen teaching, enhance student learning, and advance the College’s mission as a public R1 institution.

Objectives

The Professional Development Assignment program is designed to:

• Encourage in-depth artistic and scholarly activity
• Increase the national visibility of CCFA faculty
• Advance faculty expertise and innovation in teaching and instruction
• Support faculty contributions to departmental, college, and university missions

Eligibility and Appointment

Faculty may apply for one of the following PDA options:

• PDA Appointment Options
  • One Semester at Full Pay
  • One Academic Year at Half Pay
• Eligibility Requirements
  • Half-Year PDA: Minimum of seven (7) years of full-time service since initial appointment or since a previously granted professional leave
  • One-Year PDA: Minimum of five (5) years of full-time service since initial appointment or since a previously granted professional leave
• Post-Assignment Commitment
  Faculty awarded a PDA must agree to remain at the University of Memphis for at least one full year following completion of the assignment.

Application

To be considered for a Professional Development Assignment (PDA), faculty must complete the following steps:

1. Download and complete the Professional Development Assignment Cover Sheet
   /ccfa/resources/pdfs/ccfa-professional-development-assignment-coversheet.pdf
2. Complete the PDA application through Qualtrics
   https://memphis.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_erng3nlRBsSpMx0

All PDA materials must be submitted through the Qualtrics application by the announced deadline. Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered.

Proposal Format

The proposal should include:

• Application for PDA.
• A description of the nature and scope of the project to be undertaken during the leave time; its relationship to the departmental mission; its relation to university and CCFA objectives for PDA's; and its benefits to the faculty member, department/school, and college.
• A current curriculum vitae (University CV or standard academic CV).
• Letter from Department Chair/Director.
• Supporting documentation (as appropriate).

Guidelines

• Faculty members may apply for a PDA for one semester, at full pay, or for one academic year, at half pay.
• Half year PDA: Faculty are eligible for a half year PDA with minimum of seven (7) years full-time service since appointment or any previously granted professional leave.
• One year PDA: Faculty members are eligible for a one-year PDA with a minimum of five (5) years full-time service since appointment or any previously granted professional leave.
• A faculty member who is awarded an assignment must agree to remain at the University for at least one full year after the assignment is completed.
• Faculty member receiving awards must submit a report of activities to the dean's office no later than three months after their PDA.

Evaluation Process and Criteria

• The deadline for submission of proposals occurs in the fall semester and is announced at the annual Fall Faculty Meeting.
• Proposals are reviewed and evaluated by the CCFA Council for Graduate Studies. Faculty members who are themselves applying for a PDA do not participate in the evaluation. Another member of his/her department is appointed by the chair to participate in the review process.
• The College Council ranks the proposals for a semester at full pay. These rankings and a summary of the discussion are submitted to the Dean as recommendations. Proposals for a full year at half pay are not ranked, but are forwarded to the Dean with the committee's comments. It is up to the Dean and department chair/school director to determine whether it is possible to grant the leave based on its merits as well as budgetary and staffing considerations.
• First priority will be given to proposals that advance the faculty member's creative work, traditional or engaged scholarship, and/or teaching and that show clear potential to enhance the faculty member's contribution to the mission and values of the department or school, the College of Communication and Fine Arts, and the University.
• Priority will be given to proposals that clearly specify the plan for work during the leave period.
• Priority will be given to faculty members who have not received a previous Assignment. At the same time, those who have received an earlier Assignment are encouraged to apply and those with strong proposals will be supported when possible.