Council of Faculties Volunteer Opportunities

Expectations around research, teaching, and service can be difficult to navigate, especially when institutional norms vary and guidance is vague. While academic roles differ across institutions and appointment types, foundational principles can help all new faculty orient themselves with confidence. This task force will build upon the COF’s ongoing commitment to faculty success by developing a practical, accessible guide that empowers new faculty to understand the landscape of academic pharmacy and take intentional steps toward progression and promotion.

Charges

1. Develop a comprehensive, broadly applicable “New Faculty Success Guide” that serves as a roadmap for faculty entering academic roles within schools and colleges of pharmacy. This could include a general checklist of key questions, a potential self-assessment to identify development opportunities, considerations based on faculty role, and recommended actions for new faculty during their first 6 years. Additionally, it should outline key milestones associated with promotion for a variety of faculty roles (e.g., tenure track, non-tenure track, research-intensive, etc.).  
2. Identify resources within and external to AACP that support new faculty development. 
3. Organize and deliver at least one COF Coffee Chat in the spring semester to get feedback on initial work/recommendations for new faculty. 
4. Provide recommendations on how COF/AACP can broadly disseminate and periodically update this guide.  

Charges map to AACP Strategic Priority Pillar: Education (Goal 2). 

Deliverables

• A white paper (or report) suitable for publication or dissemination to AACP members.
• A practical, accessible checklist or quick start guide for new faculty (formatted as a standalone resource).
• A summary of recommendations to AACP leadership regarding future programming or resource development aligned with the guide.
  

Charges

1. Provide ad hoc support to AACP staff and relevant workgroups or committees in addressing matters related to the engagement, programming, and governance of staff members. This may include tasks related to serving as stewards for professional staff within the new AACP Ambassador Program, targeted use of LinkedIn, recommendations for school- or university-level onboarding processes, and other communication channels that enhance visibility and engagement.
2. Collaborate with the COD/COF group on the staff wellbeing survey, providing intentional input to ensure professional staff perspectives are represented and meaningfully incorporated into the findings.
3. Revisit the needs assessment survey data for professional staff and consider additional methods for staff input (e.g., Coffee Chat). Consolidate these findings into recommendations that might deepen insights and inform future research and advocacy efforts related to professional staff roles and experiences within AACP.
4. Organize and deliver at least one virtual event (webinar or COF Coffee Chat) in the fall semester on a topic relevant to staff at colleges/schools of pharmacy. Committee members may present or collaborate with external speakers.
5. Post at least once per semester in the COF Connect Community to facilitate discussion on issues relevant to professional staff, enhance engagement, and share resources aligned with committee activities.

Charges map to AACP Strategic Priority Pillars: Education (Goal 2); Outreach and Engagement (Goal 2).

Deliverables

• Support as requested by AACP staff, committees, and workgroups
• Summary and recommendations from needs assessment data
• Virtual event(s) on topic relevant to staff
• 2 contributions to COF Connect Community on topic relevant to staff

Teaching is evolving rapidly as new technologies reshape how students learn and how faculty design educational experiences. The growing presence of technologies such as artificial intelligence in pharmacy practice and higher education can feel both exciting and overwhelming, especially as faculty work to determine when, where, and how to use these technologies effectively. The 2027 Teachers Seminar aims to help educators navigate this changing landscape by offering practical perspectives and strategies.

Charges

1. Design the 2027 Teachers' Seminar around the theme of embracing new technologies (e.g., artificial intelligence) while staying grounded in core teaching principles. 
2. Develop the learning objectives, identify the sessions, and determine the schedule.
3. Identify and recruit speakers for each session.
4. Work with the speakers to develop effective instructional strategies and materials that align with the Seminar theme.
5. As appropriate, create AACP Connect posts, webinars, and/or Coffee Chats, to promote the seminar and/or provide a more longitudinal learning experience.
6. Work with AACP staff to conduct a post-program evaluation.

Charges map to AACP Strategic Priority Pillar: Education (Goal 1).

Deliverables

• Seminar learning objectives, format, and speakers for the 2027 Teachers Seminar
• Plan for promoting the seminar and/or extending learning opportunities through AACP Connect, webinars, and/or COF Coffee Chats

Charges

1. Update the COF Standing Rules of Procedure to clearly outline the procedures for presenting COF resolutions and conducting votes during the COF Business Meeting. The proposed policy should include the sequence of actions, roles and responsibilities of the Rules and Resolutions committee and COF Administrative Board, general timeline, and potential for virtual voting. 
2. Review COF Standing Rules of Procedure and suggest any modifications that are deemed necessary. 
3. Review resolutions submitted by individual(s) or committees/task forces within the Council of Faculties. 
4. Review the final report of the Rules and Resolutions Committee to determine if any other recommended topic impacting COF should be considered for resolutions.
5. Present topics being considered for resolutions with the Council (e.g., Coffee Chat).  

Deliverables

• Proposed policy for presenting and obtaining COF support for proposed resolutions and/or modifications.
• Present any proposed changes to the COF Standing Rules of Procedure and resolutions developed for discussion by COF membership via a Coffee Chat in spring 2027. 
• Submit final report of resolutions discussed and put forth.

Charges

1. Revise the Emerging Teaching Scholar Award scoring rubric to provide reviewers more detailed guidance on scoring criteria. The revised rubric should allow for better interrater reliability and better differentiation between candidates. 
2. Review award applications and recommend to the COF Administrative Board up to 5 individuals who are worthy of the Emerging Teaching Scholar Award. 
3. Identify speakers/panel members for webinars/Coffee Chats to provide interested COF members with guidance on preparing quality applications. 

Deliverables

• Revised scoring rubric
• Two-panel Coffee Chats about preparing successful ETS applications: (1) a broad Coffee Chat to provide initial guidance and (2) a Q&A workshop for applicants who are working on their application.
• A list of up to 5 candidates worthy of the Emerging Teaching Scholar Award

Charges

1. Solicit and develop a well-qualified slate of a minimum 2 candidates for the COF election to be held November 2027 for each the following COF offices: Chair-Elect, Representative at Large.
2. Identify and nominate qualified candidates for the following AACP Offices: President-Elect, Treasurer, and Speaker of the House.

Deliverable

• Slate of candidates for COF offices

The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SOTL) is a vital avenue through which faculty enhance educational quality while meeting scholarly expectations. Recognizing that many in the Academy seek support to grow as teaching scholars, this committee will complement existing resources by offering programming that builds skills and confidence in designing, conducting, and disseminating impactful SOTL work.

Charges

1. Explore strategies for how AACP can most effectively support members in advancing SOTL efforts. Identify needs, barriers, and opportunities for faculty engagement and growth in SOTL across diverse institutional roles. 
2. Post at least once per semester in the COF Connect Community to facilitate discussion on related to SOTL. This might include posts sharing insights, resources, or emerging practices that support faculty engagement in SOTL.

Charges map to AACP Strategic Priority Pillar: Research and Scholarship (Goal 1).

Deliverables

• Report of recommendations to AACP staff on how SOTL can be best supported across AACP.
• AACP Connect discussion posts

Charges

1. Explore options for delivering high‑value programming to Department Chairs, including preferred venues, formats, and timing for year‑round professional development opportunities.
2. Continue to explore and/or develop mentorship opportunities for department chairs.  
3. Plan and host a networking session and relevant programming for department chairs at the 2027 AACP Annual Meeting.
4. Create and submit a session proposal for the 2027 AACP Annual Meeting focused on the professional development of department chairs.
5. Develop and facilitate at least one virtual event (webinar or Coffee Chat) on a topic of interest to department chairs.
6. Promote and engage in discussions in the AACP Connect COF Department Chairs Learning Community.

Charges map to AACP Strategic Priority Pillar: Outreach and Engagement (Goal 2).

Deliverables

• Finalized recommendations to AACP staff outlining preferred options for year-round programming/professional development. 
• Networking session at the 2027 Annual Meeting 
• A completed and submitted session proposal relevant to department chairs for the 2027 Annual Meeting
• One or more hosted virtual events (webinar or Coffee Chat), on topics of interest to department chairs

Charges

1. Assist AACP staff in the development of four, 60-minute synchronous virtual learning sessions for junior faculty in the 2026-2027 academic year.
2. Submit a minimum of one session proposal for a presentation at the 2027 AACP Annual Meeting.  
3. Develop and facilitate one virtual event (webinar or Coffee Chat) per semester on a topic of interest to junior faculty.
4. Contribute to monthly postings to AACP Connect to stimulate group discussion.

Charges map to AACP Strategic Priority Pillar: Outreach and Engagement (Goal 2).

Deliverable

• 4 virtual learning sessions 
• At least one formal proposal for a program at the AACP Annual Meeting
• Develop and facilitate one virtual event per semester
• Minimum of one post per month to the community’s AACP Connect page

Charges

1. Promote the community and recruit members from the Council of Faculties and Council of Deans.
2. Initiate and contribute to regular discussions on the Community’s AACP Connect page to build engagement and share resources.
3. Host one COF Coffee Chat during fall semester on a topic pertinent to the community.

Charges map to AACP Strategic Priority Pillars: Education (Goal 2); Outreach and Engagement (Goal 2)

Deliverables

• Minimum of 1 Connect post every 2 months in the AACP Connect COF Community 
• Minimum of 1 COF Coffee Chat on a topic pertinent to the community
   

Recent collaborations between the COD, COF, and Administrative Services Section have highlighted a strong and ongoing interest among members in better understanding the pathways, processes, and practical considerations involved in navigating key career transitions within pharmacy academia. This task force will build upon recent work related to preferment and career transitions by synthesizing existing content, identifying gaps, and building a long term framework that supports career exploration and development across all stages of academic pharmacy careers.

Charges

1. Develop a centralized, user-friendly resource page focused on preferment and career transitions in academic pharmacy.
2. Identify gaps in current AACP offerings and recommend new opportunities for future AACP programming, including webinars, learning modules, or community-driven initiatives, that could be integrated with or build upon the resource page.
3. Develop a framework for key career transitions in academic pharmacy, outlining typical responsibilities, considerations, and decision points associated with each pathway.
4. Provide guidance for long term maintenance and updating of the resource page to ensure sustainability and relevance beyond the task force’s term.

Charges map to AACP Strategic Priority Pillar: Education (Goal 2).

Deliverables

• Resource page focused on preferment and career transitions 
• Recommendations to AACP staff on future development opportunities 
• Framework to guide members in career transitions