Future Faculty program accepting applications

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Lorraine Stinebiser

Members of the 2014 class of Future Faculty Career Exploration scholars who visited RIT last fall spent time learning about the teaching options at the university, met with faculty, deans and administrators and presented their own research work as part of the weekend program. Applications for this year’s event are being accepted. The exploration program will take place Sept. 30-Oct. 3.

Applications are being accepted for the 2015 Future Faculty Career Exploration Program at Rochester Institute of Technology. The program for recruiting diverse faculty candidates, now in its 12th year, has been recognized nationally for its strategies to feature doctoral candidates’ research and to provide them the opportunity to explore career options at the university.

The 2015 program takes place at RIT Sept. 30–Oct. 3. The application deadline is June 1. If selected to participate in the program, individuals are eligible for an all-expense-paid trip to visit the university. Prospective candidates can apply online for the fall program, or send an email to facultyr@rit.edu and attach a curriculum vitae along with a cover letter including a contribution to diversity statement to the RIT Office of Faculty Recruitment.

Applications are being accepted from candidates who are within one year of receiving, or who have already achieved, a Ph.D. or Master of Fine Arts degree, a post-doctoral assignment, or are currently junior-level faculty; those from underrepresented and underserved populations, especially applicants of African American, Latin American, American Indian, or Alaskan Native descent; and receiving degrees aligning with the disciplines offered at RIT. The program allows prospective faculty the opportunity to explore potential career choices at RIT through exploratory interviews, meetings with deans, department heads and university administrators, as well as tour the campus and surrounding community.

“This is our 12th year hosting the program, and each year the participants are more seasoned with degrees in hand, post doc assignments completed and ready to take on a faculty position,” said Renee Baker, executive director of RIT’s Office of Faculty Recruitment and host of the career exploration program. “We used to hear that there were no diverse candidates out there. This program was established to bring highly qualified African American, Latino American and Native American (AALANA) candidates to campus—candidates who are interested in exploring RIT’s faculty opportunities.

“And for the past decade we have brought anywhere from 20 to 25 scholars to RIT annually. We are developing the pipeline from which colleges can recruit from a very rich pool of qualified candidates.”

Since 2003, more than 250 prospective faculty have participated in the annual program. Approximately 19 percent of the AALANA faculty hires at the university—17 total thus far with 12 being tenure-track positions—have come through the Future Faculty program, aligning with RIT’s strategic plan and its diversity goals.

Related article: "Future Faculty Career Exploration Program influences growth of diverse faculty at RIT" article.