Mary Lee Matuza (PFF-GS 650)

The Preparing Future Faculty class is designed to provide current graduate students with appropriate expectations regarding their potential futures as faculty members at various types of institutions of higher education. It achieves this goal through readings, class discussion, and a series of assignments. The readings I collected throughout the semester will serve as a helpful resource during my search for faculty positions. Also, the class discussions afforded me the opportunity to interact with faculty from a variety of different types of institutions, which will help me match myself to an appropriate job when the time comes, both as a scholar and as a human being. 
Of all parts of the class, the assignments taught me the most. We began the semester with a “Reflective Statement” that laid the groundwork for what has since become my “Teaching Philosophy,” which comprises part of my “Teaching Portfolio.” In another pragmatic assignment, I obtained feedback from visiting faculty from different institutions on practice letters of application that I wrote for actual faculty positions. Finally, the semester concluded with visits to campuses of different institutional types and accompanying written reflections. These were perhaps the most informative and compelling assignments of the semester, offering actual experiences with the expectations of various types of academic jobs. 
In closing, the structure of the Preparing Future Faculty class allowed me, as a graduate student interested in a future faculty position, to clarify and narrow my academic goals through real-life experience. I highly recommend this course to anyone who is considering a career as a faculty member at any sort of institution of higher education.

Donna Wills (PFF-GS 650)

"PFF offered me the opportunity to find out several imporant issues like faculty governance and tenure requirements that had never been addressed during my graduate experience. It also allowed me to explore options for academic positions in different types of istitutions. Understading the expectations of teaching, research, and service will help me make a better decision about my future academic career. Plus I got some insight on the job research process."

Holly Payne (PFF-GS 650)

"I recommend that all graduate students take GS 650, Preparing Future Faculty. This course taught me about various facets of academic life ranging from your first year as a faculty member to tenure and post-tenure review. I learned about the Carengie Foundation's classification system for universities, and talked with faculty members from different types of institutions. This class is an excellent way to prepare for life after graduate school and offers insider information on what it's really like to work in academe. The PFF program is an excellent resource for students and faculty. It provides assistance in teaching, job placement, and preparation for the road ahead. It's role in developing better teachers, researchers, and administators is unmatched. If you haven't experienced the benefits of the PFF program, I recommend visiting their library, attending their workshops, and enrolling in their courses. You won't be disappointed." paynehj@aol.com

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