WCTL Faculty Fellow in Program Development
Spring 2023
Now Accepting Applications through September 2, 2022
Scope of the Program
The WCTL Faculty Fellow in Program Development is designed to offer a successful applicant the opportunity to serve in a leadership role in an area of program development for the campus that is of particular interest to the applicant. The term of the appointment will be Spring 2023. One Faculty Fellow will be selected for this period.
The Program’s intent is to support a personally enriching, professionally rewarding, and impactful experience for the Faculty Fellow selected for this collaboration. We outline here the structure and guidelines for the WCTL Faculty Fellow in Program Development. This Program is limited to full-time faculty at UTC.
Our previous Faculty Fellow was Dr. Karissa Peyer, HHP, who offered a WCTL Book Club, two workshops on teaching critical thinking, and developed online teaching resources.
Click here to see Dr. Peyer’s programming on Teaching Critical Thinking.
Rationale for the Program
Many universities support Faculty Fellows in their centers for teaching and learning to encourage the development of innovative pedagogical programs and to enhance the leadership skills of these faculty members.
In the past, the Walker Center has supported Faculty Fellows both in Experiential Learning and in Faculty Development. This new Faculty Fellow Program seeks to regularize the creation of programs related to ongoing faculty development.
Program Details
Theme or Emphasis:
Thematically, the Faculty Fellow in Program Development may contribute to the Walker Center’s programming in any number of ways, including best practices in teaching innovation, course design strategy, inclusive pedagogy, online teaching and learning, race and gender in the classroom, the science of learning, educational technology, peer mentoring, mentoring other faculty members in their career stages, and the like. It is expected that the applicant will propose a specific project and related activities to spearhead during the time as Faculty Fellow.
Deliverables:
The program seeks concrete deliverables from the applicant in the form of university-wide workshops, mentoring clinics, book clubs, discussion groups, articles, a series of podcasts, learning resources for the WCTL website, and the like. The deliverables should aim to significantly impact pedagogical innovation and faculty development at UTC. Preference is given to a project that pursues a focused aim or theme, rather than a disparate set of activities. The application also looks for a proposed timeline for the semester’s project(s). We encourage you to talk with Walker Center staff to brainstorm innovative deliverables to put together a proposal that might fit well with emerging needs.
Course Release:
The Faculty Fellow in Program Development is eligible for a one-semester course release concurrent with their Faculty Fellow work to ensure time to develop and execute their projects. It is expected that the Faculty Fellow in Program Development will work in close conjunction with members of the WCTL staff in a mutually beneficial partnership. On average, this Faculty Fellow is expected to devote 4-6 hours per week to this project with the Walker Center. Applicants must work with their Department Head to secure this course release as part of the application process. To offset the departmental course release, WCTL will offer funding to the applicant’s department for this purpose.
Support Funds:
The Faculty Fellow in Program Development will be allotted $250.00 for the purchase of books and materials to support their efforts. All unused funds will revert to the Walker Center.
Application Process and Guidelines
Applications for the Spring 2023 Fellow will be accepted from all full-time Tenure Track and full-time Non-Tenure Track faculty members. The selection process is confidential, and selections will be made by staff and WCTL Advisory Board members in the Walker Center. The application deadline is September 2, 2022.
Application: WCTL Faculty Fellow in Program Development Spring 2023 Application
Application Guidelines:
• Applicants will identify the aims of their proposed project(s), relevance to the applicant’s discipline, and expected deliverable(s).
• Applicants will write a short statement indicating the potential impact of this leadership experience on their own professional development and pedagogical aspirations.
Supporting Documents:
• Current CV.
• Letter(s) of support signed by the relevant Department Head (or Program Director) and applicant’s Dean. The letter needs to indicate support both for the applicant’s participation and approval for the course release. The faculty member’s Department will receive funds from the Walker Center to cover standard costs for one course release in the college.
Additional Information:
For more information or to discuss the application process, please contact Dr. David Pleins ([email protected]).