Doctoral Students
Application Deadline: Monday, April 14
One of the most pressing issues in higher education today is the preparation of future faculty for undergraduate teaching. Graduate education in the 21st century university demands that students develop not only subject matter expertise, but also the ability to translate this knowledge into successful teaching and learning. The Graduate School at Michigan State University and James Madison College of Public Affairs are pleased to sponsor an opportunity for six graduate students to prepare for such work—the Interdisciplinary Inquiry and Teaching (IIT) Fellowship Program. Students in their second or third year of their PhD program are encouraged to apply. Teaching experience is also helpful.
The primary goal of the IIT Fellowship Program is to broaden and enrich the professional development experience of a diverse group of graduate students by placing them within an environment, James Madison College, with an established tradition in excellence in undergraduate, interdisciplinary teaching and scholarship in public affairs. Students selected for this full-year program will engage with one another and with JMC faculty in structured discussions on pedagogy and practice, course design and curriculum development. In addition, fellows will have an opportunity to investigate questions concerning the intellectual coherence and viability of interdisciplinary teaching and learning. In this latter work, they will have opportunities for general interactions with JMC undergraduates. Fellows will be encouraged to integrate their IIT Fellowship work with the University Graduate Certification in College Teaching.
Six selected fellows will engage in regular meetings with other fellowship recipients, with JMC faculty, and with JMC students, and will be assigned a faculty mentor in JMC in addition to our regular bi-monthly meetings. Fellows are also expected to attend select classes and curricular events in the college on a regular basis. Additionally, fellows will conduct individual or collaborative projects on interdisciplinary undergraduate teaching and mentoring, including Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SOTL) projects in coordination with JMC faculty mentors, and will share their findings in public venues such as JMC and the Graduate School Teaching Cohort Fellowship (TCF) Research Showcase. Graduate students are also encouraged to develop their Scholarship of Teaching and Learning projects for presentations, conferences, and peer-reviewed journals. Fellows are expected to commit approximately 10 hours monthly to the fellowship and will receive $5000 ($2500 each semester) to help support project expenses and/or travel to a conference to share their findings.
The IIT Fellowship Program is for doctoral students with an interest in interdisciplinary inquiry and undergraduate teaching. The program welcomes applicants from all colleges whose teaching areas are relevant to a college of public affairs. Applicants should be enrolled full-time in a program leading to a PhD and making progress on their degrees, have previous teaching experience, and be in good academic standing. Preference will be given to students currently in their second and third years of doctoral study. Applicants should submit the attached application form, a CV, and a brief essay that describes their interest in and previous work with interdisciplinarity, as well as their specific interest in the IIT program. Awards will be made to individuals who, in the judgment of the review panel, have demonstrated academic achievement, interest in interdisciplinarity and undergraduate teaching, and engagement with issues in public affairs. Applications must be submitted on or before April 14, 2025; with interviews to follow.
For further information or questions regarding the program, please contact: Dr. Louise Jezierski, IIT program director, James Madison College, jeziersk@msu.edu
