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!”

Apply today!

researchers in a lab

Portrait of Shannon Roberts“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

Photo of participant“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.

Apply now!

A cohort of Graduate Engineering Research Scholars.
Aerial photo of engineering campus in fall
Adjacent to Camp Randall Stadium, the engineering campus consists of eight buildings.
Photo of Engineering Mall in summer
Engineering Mall is a great place to have lunch, an outdoor meeting, or even hold class. In the background, Engineering Hall is home to our administration, as well as our chemical and biological engineering, civil and environmental engineering, and electrical and computer engineering departments.

Portrait of Ronke Olabisi“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.
    1. 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
    2. Diversity statement—a short paragraph expressing your experience or willingness to engage in activities to enhance diversity and equity efforts (advice here)
    3. Teaching statement—a short paragraph expressing your teaching interests and philosophy (advice here)
    4. Research statement—a short paragraph expressing your research interests and goals (advice here)
    5. 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

Photo of Billy Nollet“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

A campus full of natural beauty and outdoor activities.
Madison's State Street
An eclectic pedestrian mall, State Street stretches from campus to Madison's Capitol Square.

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

More than 80,000 fans experience the excitement of Badger football Saturdays—which our alumni (and students, faculty and staff) count among their fondest memories of campus.
photo of Memorial Union Terrace
Our Memorial Union Terrace is among the most popular (and picturesque) gathering spots on campus, and it hosts everything from music events such a jazz festival to movie nights.
photo of Memorial Union Terrace
Our lakeside Memorial Union Terrace is a favorite gathering spot for everyone at UW-Madison!