Preparing Future Faculty

Source: https://gradadvance.graduateschool.ufl.edu/programs/preparing-future-faculty/ Parent: https://gradadvance.graduateschool.ufl.edu/

• Programs
• Preparing Future Faculty

Preparing Future Faculty

• Upcoming Events
• Individual Consultations
• Workshop Series
• Focus on Mentoring
• Preparing Future Faculty
• Job Search Series
• Career Exploration
• Mentor Training
• GatorLead
• Three Minute Thesis (3MT)
• Orientation
• Graduate Pathways to Success (GPS)
• Career Advancement - Masters Students
• Internship Initiative
• Core Curriculum

In Spring 2026, the Graduate School, the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs and the Center for Teaching Excellence will offer our Preparing Future Faculty program for graduate students and postdocs.

The Preparing Future Faculty program is open to graduate students and postdocs from all departments at the University of Florida. The goal of the program is to help prepare participants for academic careers in a variety of settings. The focus is on learning about faculty life at different types of institutions, honing evidence-based teaching skills, and expanding your mentoring network. Only a small portion of this program will focus on job materials. If you are interested in a detailed program on the job search process, a self-paced course is available through Beyond the Professoriate. This Spring's course will meet on Thursdays, via Zoom, from 9:35 to 11:30 a.m.

The Spring 2026 course begins on January 15. Schedule, topics, and more can be found below.

Participants will be selected on a competitive basis. Submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance into the program. If accepted, candidates will need to request approval from their advisor to participate in the program. Accepted participants will be notified in early December.

APPLICATIONS FOR SPRING 2026 ARE NOW CLOSED.

Applications for the Fall 2026 course will open this summer.

Questions? Please email grad-success@ufl.edu

Learning Objectives

As a result of participating in this program, participants will be able to:

• Develop a toolbox of evidence-based teaching/learning practices and strategies
• Expand your mentoring team and learn best practices for mentees and mentors
• Describe the important aspects of being a successful faculty member, and prepare accordingly during their training at UF
• Identify key elements of being a faculty member at different types of institutions

Spring 2026 Schedule

*schedule subject to change

Program Requirements

Attendance Requirement

Participants must attend each weekly meeting. Participants who have not missed more than three sessions may request a certificate of completion at the end of the program.

Mentoring Requirement

Participants must identify a faculty mentor (someone other than immediate advisor) for this program. Participants will be required to meet with their mentors twice monthly for the duration of the program. The program will provide participants and mentors with a list of topics to be discussed (if desired), along with activities that could enhance the quality of the interactions and the outcome of the experience.

Eligibility

The Preparing Future Faculty program is open to graduate students and postdocs from any department at UF. Participants will be selected on a competitive basis.

Application components:

1. Statement of interest in the program (250 words). This statement will allow program staff to see if what you expect to gain from the program corresponds to the learning objectives. This program is not designed with the focus to help with writing the documents for your job application package. Rather, it is a designed for you to understand faculty life in a variety of settings, and to gain valuable teaching skills.

2. Summary of teaching accomplishments (250 words)

3. Summary of research/scholarship accomplishments (250 words)

4. Summary of service/outreach activities (250 words)

5. Current CV