What is the Absent Professor Program?

The Absent Professor Program increases student exposure to faculty by utilizing existing instructional resources on campus. When instructors know they will be absent, they can contact the Learning Center at least one week prior to the date of their absence to arrange to have workshops delivered in their classes while they are gone. Because it takes time to make arrangements, we cannot accommodate last-minute requests (i.e. you wake up sick).

Instructors may select from the menu of options on this page, many of which are outside their direct area of expertise but which complement their course objectives. For example, a biology instructor will attend a conference in two weeks, and she opts to have her students in a two-hour course learn how to write an effective summary (from an English instructor) and how to conduct research online (from a librarian). Each workshop runs 60 minutes.

If your class normally meets for two hours, you may elect to have two workshops delivered in your absence, but you can also choose to have only one workshop delivered. Select as many topics as you feel would benefit your students.When a traditional substitute is not a desired or viable option, consider using the Absent Professor Program. 

I will do my best to find instructors for the topics you choose, but the more options you provide, the more likely I am to staff the workshop(s) you select. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, we will be unable to fulfill a request because a qualified instructor could not be found at the time requested. I will confirm each request as soon as I hear from the instructor(s) teaching the workshop(s). As always, your patience is appreciated. 

Your students will be asked to complete an evaluation form for each workshop delivered. This program is available year-round, with the exception of the second summer session.

Request a Workshop through the Absent Professor Program

Writing Workshops: Each writing workshop lasts 60 minutes. For more information about the contents of each workshop, please consult the outline for each writing workshop here.

Academic Honesty
Avoiding Vague Language
Commas, Semicolons, & Colons
Five Essay Fixes to Take You From a C to an A
Introductions and Conclusions
Logical Fallacies
MLA and APA Documentation
Paragraph Development
Outlining and Essay Structure
Proofreading
Quotation Integration
Summary vs. Analysis
Thesis Sentences
Timed Writing Assignments

Library Workshops: Each library workshop lasts 60 minutes. You'll find a description of each workshop here.

Intro to the Library
Research Process
Evaluating Sources
Library Databases
News and Media Literacy
OneSearch for Books & Articles
Online Catalogs
Pro-Tips for Finding Sources
Citing Sources
Literary Criticism Research

Growth Mindset Workshops: Each workshop lasts 60 minutes. Students explore Carol Dweck's ideas about growth mindset. Although these are numbered, each workshop is taught as an independent unit.  You'll find a description of each workshop here.

Expanding Your Brain
Learning to Succeed
Growth Mindset

Career Center Workshops: Help your students prepare for their careers!

Effective Resume Writing
Networking - LinkedIn and Building Your Brand
Successful Interview Strategies

If you have further questions about the Absent Professor Program, please contact Shant Shahoian at EXT 5341 or by email at shants@glendale.edu