Middlebury College Dissertation Fellowship
As part of Middlebury College's commitment to promote faculty and student diversity, this one-year fellowship, which may be extended to a second year, provides support to doctoral candidates to complete dissertations in any discipline represented at Middlebury, to cultivate effective teaching practices, and to become familiar with the academic community offered by a liberal arts college. The College seeks graduate students with a clear commitment and ability to advance educational diversity, either through the nature of their scholarly work, or through their ability to model success in fields where their own backgrounds and experiences may be underrepresented. The College especially welcomes teacher-scholars from underrepresented groups whose work also engages with issues of diversity.
The program offers affiliation with Middlebury College from July 2012 through July 2013. As members of the Middlebury community, fellows will receive teaching and research mentorship from faculty committed to excellence in undergraduate education.
Eligibility:
Applicants for this one-year fellowship will be selected on the basis of some or all of the following criteria: scholarly work that reflects innovative research; clear commitment and ability to advance educational diversity, either through the nature of scholarly work, or through the ability to model success in fields where personal backgrounds and experiences may be underrepresented; potential for serving as an advocate and mentor for undergraduate students.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens, U.S. Legal Permanent Residents or otherwise authorized to work in the U.S. (e.g., non-U.S. citizen Ph.D. students would need to have employment authorization from their home institution that will allow them to receive a stipend from Middlebury College) who intend to pursue a professorial career in the U.S. Ph.D. candidates must have completed all doctoral work except the dissertation by the end of the current academic year. MFA candidates must be recent recipients of the degree; only those with degrees granted in 2011, or to be granted in 2012, are eligible to apply.
Fellows will be appointed by the Dean of the Faculty upon the recommendation of a faculty selection committee in consultation with appropriate departments.
Terms:
The annual stipend for the position is $30,000. The College will also provide health and dental benefits, academic support including office space and computer and library privileges, and an allowance of up to $4,000 for research-related expenses. As part of the compensation, the College will provide housing comparable to a one-bedroom apartment near the campus.
During their residence at Middlebury, the Fellows will be hosted by an appropriate department or program, and will be expected to teach one one-semester course, normally in the fall semester. One or more Middlebury faculty members will serve as formal mentors to the Fellow. The Fellow also will give at least one campus-wide presentation, formal or informal, during each term. Fellows will be expected to participate in the broader intellectual life of Middlebury, which includes regular attendance at events that can be determined in collaboration with department colleagues and mentors. Fellows may apply to extend their affiliation at Middlebury for a second year.
Dissertation Fellowship Application Information 2012-13
1. Personal statement and full curriculum vitae. The search committee considers whether applicants have demonstrated a clear commitment and ability to advance educational diversity, either through the nature of their scholarly work, or through their ability to model success in fields where their own backgrounds and experiences may be underrepresented. Please address your qualifications in this regard, providing specific examples when possible. In your curriculum vitae, please include any honors, fellowships, teaching experience, other employment, and proficiencies in languages. In your personal statement describe your teaching and scholarly goals and how the Fellowship may contribute to your long-term aspirations. Articulating ways you can contribute meaningfully to Middlebury's liberal arts curriculum is strongly encouraged.
2. Three letters of reference, one of which must be from your dissertation advisor. Each of your referees should be familiar with your academic work and ability and with your dissertation proposal. Each should address your experience and interests as a teacher, scholar, and potential mentor to undergraduate students in a liberal arts setting.
3. A dissertation prospectus [approximately 1,000-2,500 words] This prospectus, which offers an overview of your dissertation, should be accessible to scholars from a variety of fields.
4. One-page [approximately 250 words] work plan for completion of dissertation. In your description address directly how participating in the Middlebury College Dissertation Fellows program supports the completion of your dissertation.
5. Official copy of graduate transcripts.
To Apply:
Middlebury College is using Interfolio to collect all application materials. Email and paper applications will not be accepted. The application deadline is January 18, 2012. Through Interfolio, please submit the following: C.V., three confidential letters of recommendation, one of which must be from your dissertation advisor, dissertation prospectus, one-page work plan for completion of dissertation, personal statement, and official graduate transcripts. More information can be found at http://www.interfolio.com/apply/3148
Inquiries should be sent to Professor Kareem Khalifa or Dean Jim Ralph, co-chairs of the Dissertation Fellowship Search Committee at dfp@middlebury.edu