The Future Faculty Mentorship Award
The Future Faculty Mentorship Award will recognize the contributions departmental faculty make-above and beyond the requirements of classroom teaching and advising on the dissertation-toward preparing graduate students for academic careers. In particular, this award will allow graduate students to acknowledge and express gratitude for their mentor's extraordinary assistance in the areas of teaching, research, and community service.
We request that nominations from graduate students be submitted in the form of a letter describing the mentoring activities performed on behalf of graduate students in a given department or committee. Letters must be submitted by individuals and may not be submitted by a group of students (i.e. one letter with multiple signatures will not be accepted), however, a student can and should encourage others to write their own letters of support for the same esteemed professor. Letters should be 250 words minimum and will be accepted by those who are currently Ph.D. students or recent graduates. Letters must be submitted in hard copy by May 16, 2008 to Jeanelle Hayner at the Center for Teaching and Learning (Gates-Blake Hall, room 102).
The following activities characterize the behavior of the Mentors we intend to honor. While other activities may be considered relevant to this award, we hope this list will help graduate students assess the candidacy of faculty for this award.
Teaching
TA Development
- Active interest in training students in their philosophy of teaching
- Responsiveness as problems arise
- Help prior to and following class
- Clear guidance on grading tasks
- Involving TAs in initial course planning and assignment design
Instructorships
- Help in finding and preparing for adjunct positions inside and outside the University
- Advice and feedback on syllabi and other classroom documents
Research
- Proactive interest in and advice on the dissertation, publishing, conference presentations, grants, and networking
- Timely feedback on preparations for performance in all of the above areas.
- Help finding funding and other resources for research, hosting conferences, etc.
Professional Development and Service
- Orientation to and guidance on standards and concerns within the discipline
- Education on the ethics of practice in all areas
- Orientation to and support for contributions to lay and extra-departmental activities
- Help with job market preparation including job talks, mock interviews, and documents for the dossier and teaching portfolio
*This list was compiled with the help of advanced graduate students who serve as Teaching Consultants at the Center for Teaching and Learning.
A reception in honor of the Award Winners will be held in early June.
