Fall 2018 Faculty Success Program Sponsorships
In 2018, The University of Texas at Austin became an institutional member of the National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity (NCFDD). The NCFDD is a nationally-recognized independent organization dedicated to supporting faculty, particularly under-represented faculty, post-docs, and graduate students in making successful transitions throughout their careers.
NCFDD’s signature program is the Faculty Success Program. This program is an intensive, 12-week virtual bootcamp where academics work directly with a coach and small peer group to implement the skills and strategies taught in the core curriculum. The Faculty Success Program is intended for tenure-track and tenured faculty members.
The Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost provides funding assistance for participation in the Faculty Success Program on a matching fund basis to tenure-track faculty members who contribute to inclusiveness, equity, and diversity in their department and/or college/school.
In fall 2018, the first cohort of faculty members that received funding assistance from the provost’s office completed the program. Read about their experiences below.
Gordon Abner, Assistant Professor, LBJ School of Public Affairs
“Through webinars and small group sessions, the FSP helped answer a lot of questions about navigating faculty life and did so in a judgment-free zone. Through the small group session, I also developed friendships with faculty at other universities and we still converse bi-weekly to share advice and encourage each other.”
BiographyJoshua Childs, Assistant Professor, Department of Educational Leadership and Policy
“My experience in the FSP was career changing. I enjoyed the weekly coaching calls with our small group mentor who checked in with us about any struggles we had and how to improve. I also enjoyed numerous tips and tricks that were shared by my peers and faculty mentor. Also useful was the constant demand to make sure we were writing every day.”
BiographyRasha Diab, Associate Professor, Department of Rhetoric and Writing
“The FSP is great because it addresses many defeating assumptions and provides a supportive mentoring community, which many scholars of color are not typically provided. We were introduced to tools to help us reflect on work habits, strategize and prioritize our work, and invest in life-work balance among other things. My participation in the FSP has been very rewarding.”
BiographyMaría González Tristan, Assistant Professor, Department of Curriculum and Instruction
“The FSP was an incredibly helpful professional development experience. A number of concrete and practical strategies helped me develop a healthier and more productive relationship with my writing practices. Equally as important, the program supported me in working towards balancing my professional and personal life and responsibilities. I also appreciated the supportive FSP community which held me accountable, helped me meet my goals, and was a great sounding board."
BiographyDeena Kemp, Assistant Professor, Stan Richards School of Advertising and Public Relations
“The FSP provided guidance and accountability as I navigated my first semester at UT. In addition to developing and teaching a new course, I prepared two manuscript submissions and began data analysis on a third. Given all the other tasks that come with settling into a new job and a new home, I am certain that I would not have been as productive without implementing the strategies that NCFDD advocates (including getting adequate rest and family time)."
BiographyEmily Que, Assistant Professor, Department to Chemistry
“I found the FSP to be extremely helpful in getting me focused on what was important and it enabled me to get several grants submitted last semester, as well as several papers submitted and/or published. It was also helpful to have input from other women faculty members with children, as many of the issues we wrestle with are specific to women faculty. My group continues to meet virtually to regularly update each other on accomplishments and struggles and to discuss topics that are relevant to our growth as academicians."
BiographyFatima Varner, Assistant Professor, Department of Human Development and Family Sciences
“The FSP was beneficial as it provided information about best practices and accountability related to time management, developing mentorship networks, strategic planning, and prioritizing research. One of the most important skills I learned was delegating more tasks to others, so that I can spend more time focusing on my research agenda. I am participating in the alumni program in Spring 2019 and look forward to being able to continue to use NCFDD resources. The FSP has also been very beneficial as I prepare materials for my third-year review."
BiographyYaguo Wang, Assistant Professor, J. Mike Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering
“By the fifth week of the FSP, I had already seen a big change in my productivity. The most important and helpful piece I gained was to form a daily habit of writing for 80-90 minutes. Another fundamental change I made was to construct a mentoring network map. The map marks all the resources I can use to build up my career, from manuscript readers to career advisers to emotional support. My work-life balance has definitely improved due to better productivity."
BiographyChelsi West Ohueri, Assistant Professor, Department of Population Health
“The FSP provided me with invaluable tools for succeeding in academia. I learned about strategic planning and the importance of beginning each semester with a plan, and benefited tremendously from exercises about mentorship, time management, and weekly planning. In addition, the program provides participants with resources to develop and achieve a work-life balance. The program's small group design allowed me to form relationships with fellow participants and our mentor, who was fantastic. I highly recommend that other faculty members take advantage of this program."
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