20 Preparing Future Faculty: The Art and Science of Academia

The Future Faculty Seminar Series offered by Rensselaer’s Office of Graduate Education is part of the Postdoctoral Education Program (PDEP) at the Institute. It serves to prepare leaders in the fields of engineering, science, technology, humanities and social science. The PDEP program offers professional development seminars on pedagogical techniques; learning outcomes/assessments; and professional responsibility. Our mission is to provide graduate students and postdoctoral scholars with academic development and to be a liaison at the Institute with other university offices for students/scholars.

Our poster will provide an overview of the Series which includes three workshops & teaching practicum offered to graduate students/postdoctoral scholars. The workshops will each run once through the year. At the completion of the workshops and teaching practicum, the participant will earn a certificate. Participants are not required to complete the workshops in any specific sequence and may take longer than one year to complete the program in order to be awarded a certificate of completion.

Workshop I: provides an overview of teaching methods and the fundamentals of the teaching profession, including effective and specific pedagogical techniques; as well as techniques for grading, interacting with students, teaching large classes, and active learning will be presented.

Workshop II: provides an overview on How to be an Academic/Preparing the Future Professoriate with topics such as academic interviewing, academic job search, promotion & tenure, and work-life balance.

Workshop III: provides an overview on Proposal Writing & Funding. It is offered in part with Dissertation Boot Camp, another professional development program aimed at helping graduate students complete their degrees.

Practicum: After completion of Workshop I, participants may elect to do a teaching experiential. Criteria: student-teacher experience with Rensselaer faculty member, outside experience at another university, or outreach activity. Proposals may be submitted to the Office of Graduate Education and prior approval required.