Six University of Maryland Eastern Shore faculty recently completed the second iteration of the University’s Provost Faculty Fellows Program.
This year’s cohort, which included Dr. Bryan Gere, Dr. Simon Zebalo, Dr. Ismail Farajpour, Dr. Madhumi Mitra, Kathleen Davis-Bierman and Corrie Cotton, was recognized at an event at the Richard A. Henson Center last month.
“Each fellow demonstrated exceptional commitment, leadership, and creativity throughout the program,” said Dr. Rondall Allen, UMES provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. “Their projects addressed important institutional opportunities and will help shape the future of UMES.”
The program, designed to provide leadership and administrative experience for faculty members, is open to all full-time faculty members except deans.
The leadership component of the program aims to foster a culture of leadership excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement among faculty members through leadership development workshops, mentoring and coaching, leadership projects and collaborative leadership opportunities.
With the inaugural cohort of eight, a total of 14 faculty members have now completed the program.
Each fellow received a to-be-determined stipend, $2,500 in professional development funds, and a course release for the fall and spring semesters.
Candidates for the program must have demonstrated interest and/or experience in one of the three focus projects — developing a strategic plan to enhance employer partner relationships; implementing strategies for enhancing faculty onboarding and advancing faculty well-being; and enhancing student success in UMES’ graduate programs. Each of the projects are aimed at supporting a strategic priority of the institution.
Between six and ten applicants are selected each semester. Requirements include submitting a letter of interest, submission of their current Curriculum Vitae, and a recommendation form signed by their dean and departmental chair.
“The Provost Faculty Fellows Program continues to cultivate a strong pipeline of academic leaders at UMES,” said Allen. “I look forward to working with these fellows as we implement their recommendations and continue advancing our institution.”
For more information on the Provost Faculty Fellows program, go to https://wwwcp.umes.edu/academic/provost-faculty-fellows-program/.
