ACS Summer Collaborations FAQ’s | Associated Colleges of the South

Please click on each question to view the answer.

Can staff participate in ACS summer collaborations?

What other ACS institutions can participate?

Where can I find previous submissions/collaborations to help guide my proposal and planning?

Are there specific time commitments required for each program category?

Are there specific time commitments required for each program category?

Reading Groups should meet at least three times over the summer. Participants are expected to read the selected book and engage in discussions at regular intervals. Meeting frequency and structure are flexible and determined by the facilitators to support meaningful, well-paced dialogue aligned with the book’s length and themes.

Workshop facilitators are expected to design and lead a virtual workshop that engages ACS member audiences and aligns with program goals. Sessions should foster interaction, reflection, and practical application. Workshops must be at least 90 minutes, with exact length determined based on the goals and structure of the intended session. Workshops will take place in the Fall 2026 semester between August 3^rd – October 9^th, and generally between 12:00pm – 3:00pm ET. If your Workshop proposal is selected and you choose to accept, facilitators will need to select and confirm the Workshop date and time and submit it along with their signed agreement.

Working Group facilitators should convene at least four virtual meetings with their group to collaboratively develop and curate resources that advance the group’s shared goals. These groups function as think tanks, gathering and refining best practices around their chosen focus area. The result should be a program proposal and outline that is ready to implement or a completed work product for distribution that meets the group’s stated goals.

Can I run either of these programs by myself?

Can I run either of these programs by myself?
Reading Groups: May be led by one or two facilitators. If two facilitators are involved, the stipend will be shared, and each facilitator must represent a different campus.
Workshops: Must include participation from at least two ACS campuses.
Working Groups: Must include participation from at least two ACS campuses.

You can find a list of ACS institutions that may serve as potential collaborators here.

Reading Groups:

What is the required format for the proposal (sections and length)?

Do I need to have a co-facilitator to propose a book group?

Will ACS cover the cost of books for Reading Group participants?

Workshops:

What is the required format for the proposal (sections and length)?

How do I determine whether I am proposing a Workshop or a Working Group?

How do I determine whether I am proposing a Workshop or a Working Group?
When it comes to applying for a Workshop or a Working Group, the choice really depends on your goals. If you’re aiming to create a specific, one-time professional or faculty development offering on a certain topic to benefit the group, a Workshop would be the right fit. On the other hand, if you’re looking to propose something more extensive — such as an ongoing professional development program or a small project to advance work in a certain area — a Working Group may be more appropriate.

Working Groups:

What is the required format for the proposal (sections and length)?

Application process:

Submit collaborative proposals via this form by April 3. ACS will communicate decisions by April 17.

Contact Shiree Williams (swilliams@acsouth.edu) with questions.

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