| Abstract | The University of Cincinnati has run a Preparing Future Faculty Program (PFF) since 1993 with a majority of past participants in the STEM disciplines. Early encouragement, seed grants, and coordination came from the Council of Graduate Schools and the Association of American Colleges & Universities. When most national support for and coordination of PFF expired earlier this decade, the UC program did not die. Indeed, it has consolidated, grown, and built enduring relationships—both within the university and with regional partner institutions. Some UC doctoral programs now include PFF as a degree requirement. Partner colleges that have provided mentors for PFF students are now using the program as a preferred target for faculty recruitment. Recent overview presentations for graduate students wishing to explore the program have drawn more than 150 registrants. Finally, UC’s Graduate School intends to use PFF as the kernel of a new initiative to offer support and professionalization to all graduate students. Despite these successes, the Graduate School, the PFF director, and the PFF advisory committee—with participation from current PFF students and partner institutions—is exploring other options to bring more students into and through the program. One initiative already underway is a partnership with the university’s Center for the Enhancement of Teaching & Learning. This poster presentation will describe how a research‐extensive university is using teaching and learning as the core concerns in drawing increasing numbers of graduate students to the prospect of faculty careers. |
Printer-friendly version