WiscProf: Future Faculty in Engineering Workshop
May 22-25, 2023, University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Engineering campus
About the workshop
Our Future Faculty in Engineering Workshop provides scholars from traditionally underrepresented groups in STEM, who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, the foundation for a successful faculty career in an engineering discipline.
Designed for doctoral students within their last two years of study and postdoctoral scholars in the last year of their research, this exciting, expenses-paid four-day program is an invaluable opportunity to learn more about academic careers and how to succeed in a faculty position. Participants also will have the chance to ask current junior and senior faculty about their own path into academia and what influenced their decision.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is especially known for its interdisciplinary research and collaborations. This emphasis expands on the Wisconsin Idea and encourages cross-college research partnerships. Faculty and students tell us, “This is what makes UW-Madison special!”
“When I entered graduate school, I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted to do with my career. I just knew that I liked to do research. UW exposed me to a variety of different career pathways and prepared me for my career in academia. I was fortunate enough to see professors who I identified with and who looked like me. I was able to learn from world-renowned leaders and was mentored in so many different ways: professionally, academically and personally.”
—Shannon Roberts, Assistant Professor, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Who should attend
The workshop is designed for doctoral students underrepresented in engineering within their last two years of study, as well as postdoctoral scholars in the last year of their research. Whether you know you’d like to pursue a career in academia or whether you are undecided or just want to learn more, we encourage you to apply to attend.
Cost
All expenses, including lodging, travel and meals are included for those selected to participate.
Why you should participate
In addition to the opportunity to network with like-minded scholars from institutions around the country, you will gain a better understanding of:
- An academic career as a professor, through presentations, panels and discussions with faculty members, department chairs and deans
- Applying for a faculty position and negotiating your offer
- The first-year faculty experience and the promotion and tenure process
- How to build a successful research program and mentor students
- Juggling teaching, research and service responsibilities and how to maintain work-life balance
- How to apply for grants and establish collaborations at a top research university
During your visit to the UW-Madison College of Engineering, you also will have the opportunity to meet with faculty and department chairs in your discipline/s of interest and tour our laboratories and research facilities.
Apply by March 20, 2023!
“Attending a future faculty program opened my eyes to many hidden features of the academic job market, and has prepared me to put together a competitive application packet. Leveraging the talented field of scientists and engineers at the University of Wisconsin will provide a great networking experience alongside an educational training weekend for those interested in a career in academics.”
—Stephanie Cone, Postdoctoral Fellow and Lecturer, Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison
“The support and encouragement I received from the faculty was instrumental in my decision to pursue an MD/PhD and ultimately, a faculty position.”
—Elizabeth Felton, Assistant Professor, Neurobiology and Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison
“During my time at UW-Madison, I became a graduate student, researcher, academic, sailing instructor, company co-founder, and postdoc. Thanks to UW-Madison, the college and GERS, I was able to achieve my goals and to continue paying it forward as a professor. If it had been offered back then, the WiscProf program would have been helpful to learn how to teach, prepare class, write and administer grants, and the logistics and people skills required to be a professor.”
—Pedro J. Resto, Professor, Mechanical Engineering, University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez
“I was fortunate to have found outstanding mentors as a graduate student who helped guide my way toward a career in academia. The WiscProf program would have provided a structured way to create a professional network and additional training to prepare me for the job search. I look forward to becoming a part of the support network for WiscProf participants.”
—Jennifer Choy, Assistant Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Workshop Eligibility and Criteria
An aim of this program is to increase diversity in the nation’s engineering faculty ranks. The WiscProf workshop is an all-expenses-paid professional development opportunity, as well as a chance to visit a major research university within one of the top places to live in the country.
In particular, we encourage applications from graduate students and postdoctoral scholars from groups traditionally underrepresented in their discipline.
We are looking for participants who:
- Are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
- Are a graduate student or postdoctoral scholar within 1-2 years of seeking a faculty position
- Have career goals, research interests, and academic potential that are aligned with one or more of the college’s departments or programs
- Can demonstrate how their inclusion efforts will contribute to the college’s culture of inclusion, equity and diversity
- Are able to attend the entire four-day program
Applicants who are accepted into the program should be prepared to present their research in a 20-25-minute presentation to members of our academic departments.
“Somewhere along the line, I had internalized the stereotypical nerd prototype and thought only that nerds could get a PhD. My fellow students and faculty at the UW helped me to understand that sometimes people confuse confidence with competence, and as they built my confidence, nobody doubted my competence again. Not even me.”
—Ronke Olabisi, Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine
Application Materials and Process
- In addition to the fields in the online application form, please combine the required documents into one file, in the following order, with a page break in between sections.
- Cover letter addressing your interest in the program. Include a brief statement addressing what you hope to gain from the workshop and describing your future goals
- Diversity statement—a short paragraph expressing your experience or willingness to engage in activities to enhance diversity and equity efforts (advice here)
- Teaching statement—a short paragraph expressing your teaching interests and philosophy (advice here)
- Research statement—a short paragraph expressing your research interests and goals (advice here)
- Curriculum vitae
Applicants will be asked to upload one file in the application form. Please apply HERE. Questions? Email us at bnunez@wisc.edu.
Important Dates
- The application deadline for the 2023 WiscProf workshop is March 20, 2023.
- The WiscProf program is May 22-25, 2023.
WiscProf is a workshop that everyone should attend. Attendees learned from seasoned faculty how to network, negotiate startup offers, and the tenure process. I learned about what it means to work at an R1 institution, how to navigate the application and interview process. – Aanuoluwapo Ojelade, Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Virginia Tech
“I had no idea what life was like as a professor before attending an event like this, and I left with not only a greater understanding of academia, but a new resolve to pursue a faculty position. I’m now in my ninth year as a professor and I could not be happier with my career.”
—William Nollet, Associate Professor, Physics and Engineering, Fort Lewis College
Sample Itinerary
(Applicants who are selected to participate will receive the full program itinerary via email.)
Day 1 – Travel day, meet, greet with participants and introduction to the program
Day 2 – Welcome breakfast, presentations on the faculty application and interview process, panel discussion on negotiating the offer, and meet with departments, research talks and departmental tour
Day 3 – Panel discussions: first year experience, promotion and tenure, grant applications, building a successful research group, teaching resources, faculty life, and networking dinner with faculty and college administration
Day 4 – Conclude program with a tour of campus and the greater Madison area, lunch with cohort, and departure for travel home
