WiscProf: Future Faculty in Engineering Workshop
May 20-23 2024, University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Engineering campus
About the workshop
Our Future Faculty in Engineering Workshop provides scholars from 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!”
“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
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!
“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
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 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.
“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 goals
- 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)
Applicants will be asked to upload one file in the application form. Please apply HERE. Questions? Email us at bnunez@wisc.edu.
Important Dates
- Check back here soon for the 2024 application.
- WiscProf: Monday, May 20-24, 2024
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, 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
