The Center for Faculty Excellence (CFE) is accepting applications for Faculty Fellows for the spring and/or summer 2027 semesters. The Faculty Fellows Pilot Program is an opportunity for full-time faculty designed to support instructional innovation and cultivate educational leadership and professional growth. This program provides support for faculty to design and execute scalable pedagogical projects that have the potential to improve instruction, and thus the student experience and student success.
Core Objectives
- Cultivate Educational Leadership: Transition excellent instructors from classroom experts into change agents who lead curricular updates, faculty development opportunities, and peer mentorship.
- Drive Student Success: Promote instructional innovations that improve the student experience.
- Elevate Faculty Status: Provide visible, institutional recognition and professional growth pathways for both instructional and tenure track faculty.
- Build a Scalable Model: Develop logistical processes during the pilot to establish a sustainable model for future Faculty Fellow initiatives.
- Expand CFE Staff Resources: Create an extension of the core CFE team by developing advocates for pedagogical change across the university.
The fellowships are initially one semester, with the possibility of renewal. The goal of this pilot fellowship program is to work with CFE staff to develop programs, resources, and sustainable models that will support other faculty to incorporate innovative change into their approach to teaching. Each fellow will propose and carry out a project that has the potential to elevate innovative instruction on campus. The focus of the projects can vary; examples might include developing and disseminating innovative teaching approaches, designing and implementing a faculty development workshop, or proposing revisions to current practices, but other ideas are welcome! Fellows may also help provide mentoring to other faculty engaged in similar activities.
What are the benefits?
Support for Faculty Fellows is negotiable based on the scope of the project and may include summer salary, a course buyout, student assistant allocation, tech updates for office/classroom (ex. tablet) or support for external faculty development or mentorship/coaching opportunities. Fellows will also benefit from improving their own teaching practice, developing their leadership skills, and formal title recognition in promotion and review processes.
How do I apply?
Full-time faculty (including Instructional Track, Tenure/Tenure Track) who wish to be considered for a fellowship should complete this Google form by Friday, November 20, 2026. Finalists will be invited to discuss their ideas with the CFE staff. If a fellowship is offered, the applicant will be required to submit a letter of support from their Department Chair or Dean.
If you have questions or want to discuss your ideas prior to applying, contact Shari Stockero (stockero@mtu.edu).