Recognizing the importance of faculty and staff advancing their personal and professional knowledge, competence, skills, and behaviors, Sandhills Community College will make every effort to provide fiscal, human, and time resources within the fiscal limitations of state, local, and institutional resources. As such, full-time employees are encouraged and expected to identify and participate in professional development supporting the effectiveness and efficiency of College goals and services. This participation should be in coordination with the employees’ direct supervisor and in support of their professional development plan. In addition to traditional faculty and staff development programs available through general college funds, the SCC Foundation has designated an SCC Career Educational Enrichment Benefit for all employees; the benefit is available in year four of employment (following the employee’s probation/mentoring period).

This benefit can be used for focused professional advancement. To that end, the College makes available $15,000 to each faculty and staff member over the lifetime of the employee’s career; however, these funds must be used for these specific personal and professional advancement opportunities:

• Sabbaticals (see Policy 6.6 for Staff and 3.5 for Faculty); available after year seven of employment)
• Advanced academic degrees (see Policy 6.2 and 6.3; available after year three of employment)
• International Education (see Policy 6.5; available after year three of employment)

These endeavors are funded at specific caps as outlined in the policies and are intended to enrich the intellectual careers of faculty and staff. The President can approve additional funds if Foundation accounts designated for these purposes are available.