Announcing the
Future Faculty Fellowship Program for August 2008

The fall Future Faculty Fellowship seminar will be held August 1^st, 4^th, 5^th, 6^th, 7^th and 8^th in Toy Lounge (4th floor, Dey Hall). We will begin accepting complete applications (with accompanying letter of recommendation) on May 21^st, 2008. The deadline is July 3^rd. Winners of the fellowship will be announced by July 11^th.

purpose

The Future Faculty Fellowship Program has three goals:  to improve the educational experience of UNC students in courses taught by graduate students, to prepare graduate students for their first experience as independent instructors, and to help them understand the roles and responsibilities they will share as faculty members in higher education.  The instructional program consists of an intensive, six-day seminar designed as a “capstone experience” for graduate students nearing the end of their degree programs.  To recognize the value of the commitment to professional development that participation represents, each Fellow will receive a certificate and a $500 honorarium upon completion of the seminar.  Participants will also receive a set of books on college teaching to use as texts in the seminar and as reference material for their teaching in the future. 

Participants in the seminar will learn how to:

• design and teach courses that emphasize critical thinking and higher-order learning;
• evaluate student learning using methods that are valid and reliable;
• gather and use information from students and peers to improve teaching;
• create a teaching portfolio and prepare for the academic job search;
• balance competing responsibilities in the life of a junior faculty member;
• develop successful grant applications and publish in scholarly journals; and
• explore options for assuming leadership roles in the context of institutions of higher learning.

The seminar addresses a wide range of topics related to teaching and learning at the college level (see “Course Agenda” and is designed as a hands-on experience for the participants.  The seminar consists of six days of instruction, from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm daily, with “working lunches” in which participants discuss issues regarding academic leadership and professional life with faculty members.  Homework includes readings, Web assignments, and preparatory exercises for each day’s lessons.  

Please check CTL's events calendar for the latest program dates and deadlines.

eligibility

Eligibility for this program is contingent upon enrollment in a graduate program at UNC and being assigned to teach as an independent instructor in the upcoming academic year at UNC-Chapel Hill.  “Independent teaching” means having complete responsibility for planning a course, developing course materials, selecting texts, conducting classes, designing and administering tests and other assessments, and grading the students.  (Please note:  teaching one section of a multiple-section course in which the course plan, texts, and/or exams are shared in common does not meet the definition of “independent teaching” for this fellowship.)

Special Conditions: Graduate students who are enrolled in departments that do not employ TAs as independent instructors may be eligible for this program if they meet certain conditions.   In order to qualify, an individual must (a) have a commitment to an academic career and (b) have a faculty sponsor who will allow the student to design, teach, and assess a course module (at least five one-hour class meetings) in one of the sponsor’s courses.  (Note:  If your department does employ TAs as independent instructors, you must apply under the regular requirements, above.) 

applications

Any graduate student who meets these eligibility standards may apply for the fellowship by completing the Application Form and by supplying a letter of recommendation from the student’s advisor, chair, director of graduate studies or faculty sponsor, where applicable. Note: The letter of recommendation must address the eligibility criteria outlined above.  Applicants must also make a commitment to attend all six days of the seminar.

sponsors

The UNC Center for Teaching and Learning conducts the Future Faculty Fellowship Program, providing instructional personnel, seminar materials, coordination, and general support.  The course is supported by funding from theOffice of the Executive Vice-Chancellor and Provost, and the Center for Teaching and Learning.  In addition, the Graduate School, the Graduate and Professional Student Federation, and UNC Student Government provide ongoing advice and support.

participants' comments

This program has been invaluable, even transformative in preparing me to teach in the fall. It covered the key topics of teaching thoroughly and clearly with a nice balance between theory and practice. The highest compliment I can give this program is to say it modeled the very teaching strategies it hoped to instill in us.

This course has been foundational in helping me construct a teaching vision and giving me the resources with which to carry it out. I don’t say this lightly. I’ve been given lots of good training from my dept. this program, though, helped me to synthesize the material.

This program was the single most important contribution yet to making me a more effective teacher. One of the key themes in our conversation was foresight is key in creating a successful learning environment and circumventing future teaching problems. I’d say that teaching teachers how to be more effective is a wonderful opportunity to instill teaching effectiveness.

Please contact Ed Neal for further information.