What is PSA?
Professional Growth and Opportunities
All PSA members (whether dues-paying or not) are eligible for Professional Staff Development, which is a reimbursement of up to $4,000 per fiscal year for full-time and $2,000 for 3/4 and 1/2 time, for university classes not offered by MCCCD, seminars, conferences, or travel expenses to seminars and conferences.
Summer Conference
The PSA Summer Conference is an annual PSA-sponsored event with workshops, seminars, and opportunities for fellowship and networking with other professional staff members. Dues-paying members receive a discount on registration for the Summer Conference.
Creative Pathways
Creative Pathways is a program that provides eligible MCCCD employees a variety of opportunities to work towards professional and personal goals, while at the same time, advancing the educational objectives of the Maricopa Community Colleges. Currently, there are two offerings available, the Internship Program and Maricopa Learns Through Service, both designed to provide employees . with real-world learning experiences for the purpose of acquiring new knowledge, skills and abilities. Under development, is a third offering, the MCCCD Employee Career Development System, which will be designed to help employees consider career options within MCCCD and identify important career development activities. Additional information can be obtained from the Creative Pathways website at: http://www.maricopa.edu/comm/pathways/
Leadership and Training Opportunities
Dues-paying members are eligible to run for office on both the campus and district level. There are also many other leadership opportunities, such as being a member of a project committee or standing committees such as PSD and PEL. PSA also often offers leadership training, group community service activities, and many other ways to hone your leadership skills. We also work with the Creative Pathways program to assist in re-careering and internships.
Protect your rights
PSA is here to protect the rights of all professional staff, help interpret the PSA policy manual, assist with reclassification requests, and to champion for members in any grievance proceedings.
Influence policy
By uniting the voices of professional staff members across the campus and throughout the district, PSA can influence change for a better working environment, better wages, and a better Maricopa.
Much more!
These are just a few of the benefits to being a member of PSA. If you have any questions, or would like to know more, please contact any member of the campus executive board.
Professional Staff Internship (PSI)
NOT CURRENTLY OFFERED
PSI opportunities are available for PSA members (dues-paying or not) who have been regular employees for at least three years. Applicants will identify a mentor and define a work plan, and if approved will be paid 100% of their current salary for up to 12 months while on the internship. Upon completion of the internship, the employee will either be placed into a position agreed to before the internship, or a position of equal grade plus a step.
Paid Educational Leave (PEL)
NOT CURRENTLY OFFERED
All PSA members (dues-paying or not) who have been a regular board-approved employee for over six years are eligible for up to one year of paid educational leave. During this time, the employee will receive 100% salary, provided that upon the end of the leave, the employee has completed a Bachelor, Master, or Doctoral degree and remains working within MCCCD for twice the length of the leave after returning.