WiscProf: Future Faculty in Engineering Workshop

May 19-22 2025, University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Engineering campus

About the workshop

Our Future Faculty in Engineering Workshop aims to broaden participation in the nation’s engineering faculty ranks, providing scholars who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents the foundation for a successful faculty career in an engineering discipline.

Designed for postdoctoral scholars or doctoral students within their last two years of study, 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 have the chance to ask current junior and senior faculty about their own path into academia and what influenced their decision.

researchers in a lab

“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 

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 broaden participation 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.

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 within 1-2 years of seeking a faculty position, or a postdoctoral scholar
  • 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 they will contribute to the college’s culture of inclusive excellence
  • 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!

2023 WiscProf cohort
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.

“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.
    1. Curriculum vitae
    2. 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
    3. Teaching statement (one page)— expressing your teaching interests and philosophy (advice here)
    4. 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 us at bnunez@wisc.edu.

2025 Application coming soon!

Important Dates

  • Application Deadline: Coming Soon
  • WiscProf: May 19-22, 2025

 

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

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!