Professional Development

AFC's professional development events and programs include activities that allow participants to focus on concerns related to the Florida College System.  A concentration of relevant experiences coupled with the expertise and innovation of peers throughout the state distinguishes the professional development offerings of the AFC. These include the Certified College Professional (CCP) Program, the AFC Annual Meeting and Conference, Annual Campus Safety Symposium, Leadership Conference, regional meetings, commission meetings, recognition award programs and more.

Certified College Professional (CCP) Program - The Certified College Professional (CCP)  Program provides AFC members with the opportunity to earn a certificate related to their work as a college professional and exposes them to content and experience they may not be able to obtain elsewhere. The CCP program provides significant value-added benefits for membership in the AFC and enhances the AFC’s role as the primary professional development provider for the Florida College System. The first of the AFC’s two certificate offerings of the CCP is the Florida College Professional Certificate (FCPC). The FCPC enhances the resume and professional portfolio of a professional employee in the Florida College System. The program consists of four online CORE Courses: Leadership, Legislative Process and Advocacy, the Florida College System, and Building Community and Customer Service. The FCPC is the foundational certificate in the CCP Program. The Next Level Leadership Program Certificate provides next-level leadership principles that community college professionals can put into practice on a day-to-day basis. It builds upon the skills of the FCPC graduates providing them with the opportunity to learn about themselves while learning how to be better leaders and persons of influence with others at work. The NLLP provides participants the opportunity to use, grow and refine their leadership skills as they move from theory to real-world application.

Annual Meeting and Conference - The AFC Annual Meeting and Conference is the celebratory event of the year for the Florida College System. It includes a tradeshow with exhibits, more than 30 diverse educational programs, informative membership and association-related meetings, exemplary practice presentations, recognitions and awards, and excellent networking opportunities for members and friends of the Florida College System. It is also an opportunity for official delegates to conduct the business of the Association and to elect state officers for the coming year. You don't want to miss this annual event!

Annual Campus Safety Symposium - The AFC Campus Safety Symposium brings together law enforcement, mental health, facilities, and information technology experts in a combination of plenary and educational sessions to address current safety challenges facing our colleges and campuses statewide.

Leadership Conference - The annual Leadership Conference is held in January/February each year to provide an overview of issues and concerns facing the Florida College System. Sessions designed for new chapter, region, commission, and committee leaders assist the new leadership in understanding the roles and responsibilities of their positions. It also is an opportunity for established AFC leaders to continue to develop their leadership skills and growth as they assist in establishing the yearly goals for the AFC. 

Trustee Legislative Conference is designed to provide College Trustees the opportunity to learn more about the Florida College System Legislative Budget Request and other Substantive Issues being monitored in the Legislature.  Discussions and presentations will be led by college leaders from across the state including the Chancellor of the Florida College System, and the Chairs of the AFC Trustees' Commission, the Council of Presidents, the Policy and Advocacy Committee, and the AFC Legislative Committee.  Time is also allotted for scheduled meetings with local legislative delegations.

Commission Mid-Year/Spring Conferences -These conferences provide an opportunity for members within the same interest or career field to network, share innovations, and best practices. Each AFC commission hosts a mid-year conference in the spring. Some commissions host joint conferences and others collaborate with the regions to host joint region/commissions meetings. Exemplary practices are highlighted and presenters from across the state share their knowledge and compete to see who will be selected the best in the state! Check the individual Commission pages to learn more about their spring conferences.

Region Mid-Year/Spring Conferences - These conferences provide an opportunity for colleges within the same geographic area to network, share innovations, and best practices. Each AFC region hosts a mid-year conference in the spring. They may also join with one of the commissions to offer more professional development sessions to regional participants. Check the individual Region pages to learn more about their spring conferences.