WiscProf: Future Faculty in Engineering Workshop
May 19-22 2025, University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Engineering campus
The application cycle is now closed. All selected participants have been notified.
About the workshop
The Future Faculty in Engineering Workshop is designed to broaden participation in the nation’s engineering faculty ranks by equipping scholars who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents with the foundation for a successful faculty career in an engineering discipline.
This exciting, all-expenses-paid, four-day program is tailored for postdoctoral scholars or doctoral students in their final two years of study. It offers an invaluable opportunity to learn about academic careers and gain insights into thriving in a faculty position. Participants will also have the chance to engage with current junior and senior faculty, ask questions about their paths into academia, and explore the factors that influenced their career decisions.
Knowing what to expect about faculty applications and tenure built confidence and de-mystified the process. I recommend WiscProf because there are so many opportunities, resources, and networking experiences that you can take away that will be valuable no matter what stage of your career.—Carmel Fiscko, PhD Candidate, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University
Who should attend
Applicants may include graduate students who are within 1–2 years of seeking a faculty position or postdoctoral scholars. Whether you are certain about pursuing a career in academia, undecided, or simply interested in learning more, we encourage you to apply.
WiscProf is committed to broadening participation in the nation’s engineering faculty ranks. We especially encourage applications from graduate students and postdoctoral scholars from groups that are underrepresented in their discipline. This program is for US citizens and permanent residents.
Cost
All expenses, including lodging, travel, and meals during the program, will be fully covered for selected participants.
Why you should participate
In addition to networking with like-minded scholars from institutions across the country, participants will gain valuable insights into:
- Academic Careers: Understanding the role of a professor through presentations, panels, and discussions with faculty members, department chairs, and deans.
- Faculty Applications: Navigating the application process, negotiating offers, and securing a competitive start-up package.
- Faculty Experience: Preparing for the first year as a faculty member and understanding the promotion and tenure process.
- Research and Mentorship: Building a successful research program and effectively mentoring students at a research intensive institution.
- Balancing Responsibilities: Managing teaching, research, and service commitments while maintaining work-life balance.
- Collaborations: Establishing and fostering collaborations at a top research university.
- Present Research: Gain helpful insights and formative presentation feedback on your own research.
I don’t know where else I would be able to get this sort of information in such a well-formatted manner. WiscProf was comprehensive, fun, and allowed for great networking opportunities. —Andrea Jones, PhD candidate, Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan
The program provided me with an opportunity to get direct feedback from faculty on my research presentation. One of the biggest takeaways for me was that I am not alone in the process.—Jorge Castro Torres, Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez
My time at UW-Madison, helped me understand my career prospects better and also how I can develop my skills to be more competitive for a career in an R1 university. The relationships between faculty and university leadership were friendly and highly supportive. The program developed a cohort of graduate students and postdocs that fostered information sharing and support.
Vivian Ogechi Nwadiaru—PhD Candidate, Industrial Engineering, University of Massachusetts -Amherst
“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
The WiscProf program aims to broaden participation in the nation’s engineering faculty ranks. This all-expenses-paid professional development workshop provides participants with the opportunity to visit a leading research university located in one of the top-ranked places to live in the country.
We strongly encourage applications from graduate students and postdoctoral scholars who belong to groups historically underrepresented in their disciplines.
We are seeking participants who:
- Are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
- Are graduate students within 1–2 years of pursuing a faculty position or are currently postdoctoral scholars.
- Have career goals, research interests, and academic potential that align with one or more of the college’s departments or programs.
- Can demonstrate how they will contribute to the college’s culture of inclusive excellence.
- Are available to attend the full four-day program.
Accepted applicants should be prepared to present their research in a 20–25-minute presentation to members of our academic departments.
After attending WiscProf, I feel more excited about becoming a faculty member and also feel much more confident navigating future offers; that part of the process had seemed very opaque to me until the workshop.
This was an extremely well run program. The sessions were thoughtful, interesting, and encouraging. The experience has allowed me to reframe how and where I will think about applying for jobs.
—Rachael Thompson Panik, PhD Candidate, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology
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.
- Curriculum vitae
- 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 career goals
- Teaching statement (one page)— expressing your teaching interests and philosophy (advice here)
- Research statement (one page)— expressing your research interests and goals (advice here)
Applicants will be asked to upload one file in the application form. Questions? Email Brian Núñez -Program Manager for Professional Development at bnunez@wisc.edu.
2025 Application
The application is now closed.
Important Dates
WiscProf: May 19-22, 2025
WiscProf is a workshop that everyone should attend. One of the most important takeaways was how negotiate a salary and a comprehensive start-up package. Gaining an understanding the tenure process was invaluable. The program left me more excited about pursuing a faculty career. -R. Christian Ford, PhD candidate in electrical engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and 2024 WiscProf attendee
WiscProf was an extremely educational experience and provide an opportunity to build profesional connections in my field. It was helpful to learn more about the avenues of support available to early career faculty. — Londrea Garrett PhD Candidate, Nuclear Engineering an Radiological Sciences, University of Michigan and 2024 WiscProf attendee
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
