Benefits: Deductions for Teachers’ Pension, 10-Month Employee Benefits Resumed for AY26
Deductions for the Teachers’ Pension System, full-time faculty benefits, and 10-month staff are based on a 10-month academic year (20 pays), and therefore, are paused for the summer pays and resume when the fall term begins. September 5, 2025, was the first paycheck of the 2025-26 academic year and included Teachers’ Pension and 10-month benefits deductions.
Employees who are enrolled in the Employees’ Pension System and 12-month employees have deductions taken all year long (26 pays). College contributions for those employees enrolled in the Optional Retirement Plan investing with either TIAA or Fidelity have also resumed.
As a reminder, eligible employees can contribute to the 403(b) and/or 457(b) Supplemental Retirement Annuity (SRA) plans from all 26 pays. If participating, these contributions will no longer automatically be suspended in the summer with the pension and 10-month benefits deductions. They will continue to be applied to all eligible summer pays. If you chose to suspend your SRA election for summer but wish to resume your contributions, you must restart your elections in Workday. Reference the job aid for step-by-step instructions to make your SRA election change.
Please look for additional information about updates to the SRA plans in the coming weeks. If you have any questions, please contact the HRSTM Benefits Team.
| |
Discover the Sabbatical Leave Program
The Employee Development and Engagement Team invites you to join an upcoming information session about Montgomery College's Sabbatical Leave Program. We're offering two (2) sessions with identical content to accommodate your schedule:
• Friday, September 12, 2025, 2–3:30 p.m. via Zoom.
• Friday, September 19, 2025, 10:30 a.m.–Noon, via Zoom.
What to Expect: Learn about eligibility requirements, application timelines, and the submission process. You'll also hear directly from a faculty member who recently returned from sabbatical and will share their firsthand experience.
Can't attend either session? Email the Leave Request Team to arrange an individual consultation at an alternative time.
For more details on this and other professional development opportunities, visit the Sabbatical Leave page.
| |
Celebrate African Immigrant Heritage Month with MC Library
September is African Immigrant Heritage Month and MC Library is excited to celebrate! Visit any campus library location to view our African Immigrant Heritage Month displays and borrow books, films, and other materials showcasing African immigrant heritage.
You can also explore our online African Immigrant Heritage guide, which features curated recommendations for books, e-books, streaming films, research resources, and local organizations related to African immigrant heritage, issues, and culture.
We encourage you to use this guide for personal growth and share it with students who would benefit from learning about this important heritage month.
| |
Period Activity Pay Reminders for Fall 2025
As a reminder, Period Activity Pay (PAP) is how all part-time faculty (PTF) are paid in Workday and must be entered by administrative aides (AAs) based on the timelines set by HRSTM to ensure timely payment. Please note the following PAP dates for the fall semester.
Fall Pay for Part-Time Faculty
The number of payments will vary based on when the classes occur (i.e., the specific part of the term). The majority of fall classes are in Part of Term 1, which will be paid over nine (9) pay dates.
The first pay date for the fall semester for instructional PTF working Part of Term 1 will be Friday, September 19, 2025, and the ninth and final pay will be on Friday, January 9, 2026. AAs were contacted directly with specific details.
View the full Workday Period Activity Pay for Fall Semester 2025 memo for AAs supporting part-time faculty. Please see page 2 of the memo for pay details for classes in other parts of the term.
Since counseling PTFs (non-instructional) worked the week of August 25 through August 29, their payment schedule will be as follows:
The first pay date for the fall semester for PTF counselors was Friday, September 5, 2025. The ninth and final pay will be Friday, December 26, 2025.
| |
Nominations for Honorary Degree Recipients
Montgomery College is seeking nominations for honorary degree recipients who will be recognized at the Dr. Harry Harden Jr. Student Academic Excellence Awards and other college events during the 2025-2026 academic year.
We're looking for individuals who have provided exceptional service to the college, county, and community through education, philanthropy, and community service—people who have impacted our students and community in extraordinary ways.
Any college community member can submit nominations by including:
• Nominee's name
• Essay (500 words maximum) describing why they should be honored
• One-page biography of the nominee
• Deadline: Tuesday, September 26, 2025
• Ineligible: Current Board of Trustees members, faculty, staff, administrators, and current board members of college support organizations (Montgomery College Foundation, PIC MC Foundation, Alumni Association)
The president will recommend candidates to the Board of Trustees for approval, with names announced before the presentation ceremony.
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Michelle Campbell.
| |
MC Wellness
Prioritize your health this fall with MC Wellness: explore upcoming vaccine education sessions, flu shot clinics, and free Mental Health First Aid training opportunities.
Register for MC Wellness 2025–2026
Enrollment for the 2025–2026 academic year is required for participation. Sign up here.
Educate Yourself on Vaccines
Wednesday, September 10, 2025, 2:30–3:15 p.m.
Vaccinations Science 101, led by Kaiser expert Dr. Sos Mboijana. Get answers about how vaccines work, their effectiveness, and the science behind them. Kaiser Permanente. Join the webinar here.
Free Flu Vaccinations
Montgomery College is offering free flu vaccinations for all employees, retirees, spouses, and students through our partnership with Kaiser Permanente. Appointments are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. Register here to schedule your vaccination or drop in between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
• Monday, September 22, 2025, Germantown (GT) Campus
• Monday, September 29, 2025, Takoma Park/Silver Spring (TP/SS) Campus
• Monday, October 6, 2025, Rockville (RV) Campus
• Monday, October 20, 2025, Central Services (CT) Building
Mental Health First Aid Training
MC, with the support of the Mental Health Association of Maryland, is offering Mental Health First Aid Certification training for free. If you have a group that would like Mental Health First Aid Certification training, please contact Megan Cooperman.
| |
Submit Your FY26 Q1 Special Recognition Award Nominations
As we settle into the new academic year across all MC campuses, it's the perfect time to recognize staff members who are already making a difference! Whether someone has helped new students navigate their first week, supported colleagues during busy start-of-semester activities, or went above and beyond to ensure smooth operations, their contributions deserve recognition.
Special Recognition Award Guidelines:
• Deadline: Wednesday, October 1, 2025
• All full-time and part-time staff employed for at least one (1) year as of the end of the applicable quarter are eligible.
• One (1) award per staff member per fiscal year.
• Awards are distributed quarterly throughout the year.
The Special Recognition Award honors staff members who deliver exceptional service during specific events, peak times, or challenging situations that make a real difference in our community.
Have you noticed a colleague who's been instrumental in helping students adjust to campus life or ensuring operations run smoothly during these busy first weeks? Now's the time to nominate them!
Visit the HRSTM Awards page to submit your nomination and recognize a colleague whose dedication makes MC stronger.
| |
|
Important Dates Wednesday, September 10
Administrator Council Meeting,
1–2:30 p.m., via Zoom.
Friday, September 12
Employee Services Council Meeting,
10–11:30 a.m., via Zoom.
Sabbatical Leave Information Session,
2–3:30 p.m., via Zoom.
Saturday, September 13
Timesheets for non-exempt (hourly) employees and Period Activity Pay for all
part-time faculty and WDCE instructors are due in Workday by noon.
Monday, September 22
Free flu vaccinations at Germantown (GT) Campus. Register here.
| |
Full-time Faculty:
- Data Science
- Political Science
| |
Part-time Faculty:
- Art History Instructor
- Lifelong Learning Institute Instructor
| |
WDCE Instructors:
- Adult Education Instructor
- ignITe Hub Coding Instructor
| |
Staff and Administrators:
- Building Equipment Mechanic II
- HVAC Mechanic II
- Program Coordinator
| |
Visit Careers at MC to view the current academic and staff openings.
| |
Workday Support for Employees
| |
Become a Contributor for Employee MattersAre you interested in submitting an employee-related article for publication or becoming a regular columnist for Employee Matters?
We’d love to collaborate with you and hear your story. Please submit your article to Tiffani Smith, Wednesdays by noon.
| |
Emergency Evacuation Accommodation In the event of an emergency, all employees should have an emergency evacuation plan. Those needing assistance during an evacuation due to a disability should inform their employers and building managers to aid in the planning process.
| |
MC Wellness offers free fitness classes, challenges, and events for MC employees, spouses, and retirees. Learn more here.
| |
Join the MC Employees Facebook Group
Join. Like. Comment. Share.
| |
Stay in the Know! Use this list for quick access to the information, resources, and updates every employee should have at their fingertips—because staying informed means staying empowered. Check your inbox and consider bookmarking these pages if you need to look something up.
| |
|
