The Professional and Organizational Development Network in Higher Education (POD) was officially founded in March, 1976, at the spring conference of the American Association for Higher Education (AAHE). Joan North was the first Coordinator (now called the President) and the Core Committee (Board of Directors) was created. Since then, the POD Network has held national conferences every year, and is the largest and oldest educational development organization in the world. It has remained committed to outreach throughout its history, and as a global leader has contributed to the development of national and regional educational development organizations around the world.
We currently have over 1,700 members representing several hundred colleges and universities. The POD Network annual conference consistently draws over 1000 attendees.
Publications related to POD’s History:
- North, J., & Scholl, S. (Spring 1979). POD: The Founding of a National Network. POD Quarterly, 1(1), 10-17.
Misc. Resources:
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- Centers & Programs Directory
- The POD Archives at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln – digital and physical
- The POD Quarterly (1979-1980)
- POD Network News (1980-2011)
- To Improve the Academy (2021 to present)
- To Improve the Academy (1982-2023)
- Index to To Improve the Academy (1982-2011)
- Essays on Teaching Excellence (1989-2011)
- POD Google Group Archives (2015-present)
- POD Core Committee Minutes
- POD Conference Materials (1976-2004)
- Historical Photos