How to Apply
Faculty Diversification Fellowship Program
Fellowship Details
Eligibility
- Candidates should be legally authorized to work in the USA;
- Candidates must be enrolled in the last semester of a qualified STEM graduate program, be a recent graduate of the program, a Ph.D. candidate pursuing a STEM path, or have attained postdoctoral standing in a qualified STEM field;
- Candidates considered for this fellowship should not have had any college teaching experience beyond graduate teaching assistant positions within their programs.
Program Learning Outcomes
The Bakersfield College Faculty Diversification Fellowship Program:
- Focuses on preparing fellows, from underrepresented minority x(URMx) groups, in the professional, pedagogical, and socio-cultural skills for community college faculty positions.
- Increases the diversity of California Community College faculty by preparing URM candidates to effectively navigate the faculty application and interview process.
- Increases the retention, progression, and success rates of URM students by increasing the number of faculty that properly represent student demographics.
Commitments and Expectations of Fellows
- Applicants must commit to the full length of the program (1 Academic Year).
- Applicants are expected to complete the classroom and seminar hour requirement to complete the program and qualify for compensation.
- Applicants must commit to the Mission, Vision, and Goals of the college and support the advancement of student success by providing an inclusive classroom experience for students from various backgrounds and life experiences.
Classroom Expectations
Program Fellows will:
- Work closely with Faculty-of-record on the lesson planning, evaluation, and assessment.
- Become familiar with classroom technology such as Canvas, Starfish, Banner, etc.
- Provide individual and group instructional services in a subject area.
- Assist or tutor an individual or small groups of students in a specific subject area.
- Distribute instructional materials; answer student questions regarding individual lessons.
- Prepare students to test in a variety of subjects; distribute and grade tests according to established procedures; record test scores; review tests with students; assist instructors with the administration of assessment and placement tests.
- Advise students on ways to improve academic performance and related topics related to achievement.
Compensation
- Fellows admitted into the program are expected to complete 4 hours of classroom time per week for 16 weeks, for a total of 64 hours (fall term).
- In addition, fellows are required to attend the 2, 6-hour FLEX sessions in the fall term (12 hours) and a Fall Faculty Colloquium (8 hours).
- Adjunct load in spring term (for a max load at approximately $3,500.00)
- The total compensation for each fellow is approximately $6,080.00 (amount varies)
Meet the Program Coordinator
Dr. Maria Wright (PI)
Bakersfield College
Dr. Maria Wright serves as the lead Faculty Coordinator for the Aspire Faculty Diversification Fellowship Program. Prior to taking on this role, Dr. Wright served as the Director for Academic Support Services for a number of years, helping centralize efforts to provide wrap-around support for students. This effort focused on enhancing the out-of-class academic experience for BC students. Dr. Wright has also served as the Advising Lead for the School of Business at a four-year institution and as an Educational Advisor at Bakersfield College.
Dr. Wright earned her doctoral degree from California State University, Fresno in Educational Leadership, her master's degree in Educational Administration from California State University, Bakersfield, and her bachelor's degree in Political Science from California State University, Long Beach.
As a first-generation graduate, Dr. Wright is passionate about increasing equity, inclusion, and diversity in higher education institutions. She is eager to help fellows in this program gain teaching experience in the community college setting.
How to Apply
Application Process
For program consideration, applicants must submit the following documents as part of their online application:
- A letter of interest specifying why you are interested in teaching students at Bakersfield College. The letter should also discuss how your educational experiences have prepared them to teach at a community college with a diverse student body, like Bakersfield College.
- An updated curriculum vitae with at least three professional references with contact information listed. One of the references needs to be from a current or former supervisor.
- College/university transcript (unofficial transcripts will be accepted), including all college units attempted.
- One signed letter of recommendation written within the last six months specifically for the Bakersfield College Faculty Diversification Fellowship Program from an individual who has provided post-secondary academic instruction to the applicant.
Success Rates
Nearly 90% of program participants have successfully received offers for full-time/tenure track or part-time faculty positions in higher education. Are you ready to commence your journey as a faculty member in the community college?
Ready to apply?
Complete an application here: Faculty Diversification Internship Academic Year 2023-2024
Questions?
For further information or questions regarding the program, contact Dr. Maria Wright at maria.wright2@bakersfieldcollege.edu.
Follow us on Social Media:
