June 6, 2005 -- The Universitywide Excellence in Diversity Fellows Program invites applications from incoming and second-year, tenure-track faculty who are interested in broadening their connections to the University community.

Senior faculty and departmental chairmen may include this program in their junior faculty development initiatives and encourage candidates to apply. The deadline for applications is June 8.

In addition, faculty members interested in supporting a new colleague may join the pool of consultants.

Program activities help new colleagues navigate the challenges of being junior faculty members and promote peer-level and extended professional networks. The goal is to support new faculty in developing productive long-term careers at U.Va.
Activities include a daylong retreat at the beginning of the school year, monthly meetings and workshops on such topics as succeeding with research and teaching, balancing life's demands, and learning about how the University works, as well as monthly meetings with their consultants (mentors).

Michael Smith, co-chairman of the President’s Commission on Diversity and Equity, recently cited the program as a “best practice” and “a vital component of our collective efforts to attract and retain faculty from underrepresented populations.”

The Excellence in Diversity Fellows Program, created and administered by the Teaching Resource Center, is funded by the Provost and by the deans of Arts & Sciences, Engineering and Medicine. For more information,
e-mail edfuva@ virginia.edu.