SEC Emerging Scholars Program

Deadline: May 22, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. CT

One of the goals of LSU and its partner institutions in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) is to increase diverse perspectives present among faculty on their campuses. A new program has been created that offer a pathway for graduate students of the member institutions enrolled in terminal degree programs to prepare for tenure-stream positions in higher education. The SEC sees a strategic advantage in sharing information that will contribute to this shared goal and encourages graduates to seek positions within SEC institutions. 

The 2023 SEC Emerging Scholars Program and Career Preparation Workshop will be hosted by the University of Arkansas October 1-4, 2023. The program is designed to promote professional development and networking opportunities for graduate students and post docs at SEC institutions interested in higher education academic careers. A central aspect of the program is to achieve the diversity goals that each SEC member institution has set for itself. The program will involve over half a day of activities on each day, including networking opportunities with member SEC institutions, featured presentations and panels by faculty from member institutions, breakout sessions, and professional development opportunities, including development of teaching portfolios, dealing with bias, what to expect as a new faculty member, and tips for applying and interviewing for academic positions.

click here to submit nomination packet (one pdf with all materials)

Eligibility

This year up to five scholars from LSU will be selected, with no more than one post doc and the remaining participants currently in terminal graduate programs. We are asking you to nominate top scholars from your program or unit who:

  1. are beyond the first year of graduate work,

  2. have demonstrated exceptional research and/or teaching skill,

  3. and shown an interest in seeking a career in higher education, or who you believe would make an exemplary faculty candidate.

 

Nomination Package

Please send the three requested items below in one PDF:

  1. A nomination letter (one-page maximum) indicating what makes this candidate particularly promising for a tenure track position at an SEC university and how they would benefit from the SEC Emerging Scholars program. Please address as applicable their post-graduate status or standing in a graduate program, including milestones(s) (Master's thesis, General Defense, Dissertation Defense) passed and milestone remaining. 
  2. A candidate statement (one-page maximum) describing their academic goals and what they seek to gain from this experience. This statement must include one section on professional aspirations and one section on their contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  3. A current curriculum vitae (CV) for the nominated candidate. 

Review Process

A multidiscipline review committee will review nominations and select Fellowship recipients based on the following considerations:

  1. Potential of the applicant to succeed in a tenure-track position at an SEC university. Factors to consider – program progress to date, nominator’s assessment of applicant’s potential to succeed, applicant’s description of academic goals and aspirations.
  2. Potential for the applicant to benefit from the program. Factors to consider – nominator’s assessment of how the applicant would benefit and applicant’s statement of what the applicant seeks to gain from the experience.
  3. Applicant’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Questions

Please contact gradawards@lsu.edu