A Model Preparing Future Faculty Program For Engineering

To address the need for more qualified faculty in engineering programs and to improve the overall educational environment, the University of Cincinnati College of Engineering has established a college-wide Preparing Future Faculty program. The program maintains strong ties with a well-established university-level program but is specifically focused on engineering and computer science disciplines. It is based on the best practices of two previously existing departmental programs, in Chemical and Materials Engineering and in Electrical & Computer Engineering & Computer Science. The new program retains the flexibility of the departmental programs, while providing a solid common core of knowledge and practice for student participants. It is organized into easily exportable modules which can be used as is or modified to fit the needs of other institutions and which cover elementary teaching skills, advanced teaching skills, proposal writing, time management, and preparation for the job search process. There is also a mentored teaching component, which is individually structured for each student. Requirements for participation are set by each department. The program prepares students for the full range of academic positions, at research-intensive or more teaching-oriented schools. It also offers a forum for faculty to update their teaching skills and for the discussion of issues of diversity, learning styles, and differences in culture between instructor and students. In addition, an associated yearly lecture on educational issues by a distinguished engineering educator helps to facilitate both faculty and student involvement. Overall, this program provides a richer, more supportive environment for graduate students, with opportunities for mentoring by multiple mentors, and thus increases the chance of retention.