American Psychological
Association Preparing Future Faculty
2003-2004
Donald J. Domenici, David G.
Mueller, Gloria J. Oliver,
Mark W. Schlutsmeyer, and
Cecilia M. Shore
Miami University
Presented
at Departmental Poster Day April 2004
What
is Preparing Future Faculty?
Preparing Future Faculty is a joint
initiative by American Association of Colleges and Universities and the Council
of Graduate Schools to improve the preparation of graduate students for faculty
roles. A key feature is forming
partnerships with non-doctoral institutions, so that students learn about the
ways in which faculty responsibilities are affected by institutional contexts,
and increase doctoral students' awareness of diversity issues. Our program is funded by American
Psychological Association and by departmental funds.
Professional Development Series
Members of the APA PFF group have
attended the speaker series sponsored by the University PFF learning
community. APA PFF scholars have also
met as a group to discuss topics such as:
|
Paul Anderson |
Center for Writing Excellence |
“Using Writing in Your Teaching” |
|
Bill Froude |
Office of Career Services |
“Advising Undergrads about
Careers” |
|
Yildirim Dilek |
CAS Distinguished Educator |
“Mentoring Undergraduate
Researchers” |
|
Phil Best |
Sigma Xi Researcher of the Year |
“Writing Grants to Support Your
Research” |
|
Chris Wolfe |
School of Interdisciplinary
Studies |
“Using the Internet in Research” |
·
Issues in peer review of research
·
Research at small
institutions
·
Getting an
academic job
·
Special issues for
academic clinicians
·
Getting research
grants
·
Special Visitors
·
Susan Davis, Miami PhD Alumna (1991) visited October
10th. Dr. Davis is now Assistant
Professor at the University of Dayton.
She led an informal discussion on “What I wish I had known about academic jobs as a grad
student”, and a research discussion on “An epidemic of overconfidence!
Attempting to affect a change”. Her
colloquium title was: “Changing the ‘gold standard:
Disputing the Effect of the Golden Section on Aesthetic Preferences”
·
Tim Lawson, Miami PhD Alumna (1989)
visited February 20th. He is now
Professor at College of Mount St. Joseph, in Cincinnati. His SPRIG presentation was titled “Using
social psychology to teach everyday statistical reasoning” and his colloquium
was on the “spotlight effect” in social psychology.
Tri-State APA PFF
Psychology Symposium
The Third Annual Tri-State Symposium
was held January 30, 2004. There were 7 posters, all by undergraduate
authors. The symposium was sponsored
for the third year by a grant from the national Psi Chi organization. Partner undergrads met with Miami grad
students and doctoral faculty (Karen Schilling, Roger Knudson & Len Mark)
about graduate programs. Partner
faculty (Tim Lawson of MSJ, Michael Jackson of Earlham, Jeff Smith and Robin
Bartlett of NKU) talked with grad students about “What colleges want in hiring
new faculty.” Lynn Olzak (MU) and
Jeff Smith (NKU) led a session for partner and doctoral faculty on “Successful
involvement of undergraduates in
research.”
APA-PFF Scholars at
Teaching Conferences
APA PFF scholars attended the Lilly Conference on College Teaching, including a
presentation by our own Don Domenici (APA PFF Scholar 03-04) on “Exploring the
connection between teaching and role-playing games: An experiential
exercise”.
Members of the APA PFF group made
two panel presentations at the Midwestern Institute for Teaching of Psychology, Feb. 27-28 in
Glen Ellyn, IL.
Surviving and Thriving in Graduate
School (David Mueller, Mark Schlutsmeyer, Gloria Oliver, Don Domenici, and
Cecilia Shore)
Developing Your Identity and
Authority as a Beginning Teacher (Don Domenici, Gloria Oliver, Mark
Schlutsmeyer, David Mueller, & Cecilia Shore)
APA-PFF Scholars Reflections
Donald Domenici
Mentor: Michael Jackson, Earlham
College
The psychology department Preparing Future Faculty (PFF) program provided
me with the opportunity to learn about the many roles of psychology faculty. In
addition to engaging in projects and discussions together, we were each able to
shadow a faculty mentor from an undergraduate partner institution. What I liked
most about PFF was the flexibility to tailor my experiences in the program to
match my teaching and research goals. As a clinical student with interests in
multidisciplinary teaching and qualitative research, this was extremely
valuable for me. At Earlham College I was able to shadow Dr. Jackson, who
taught a multidisciplinary course this semester, and whose research interests
include qualitative research. Interacting with the PFF group and with Dr.
Jackson stimulated valuable discussion about topics such as attaining a faculty
position, designing courses, and balancing teaching, research, and service as a
faculty member.
Gloria J. Oliver
Mentor: Robin Bartlett, Northern Kentucky University
As a
graduate student in clinical psychology, my training has focused on research
and clinical work. The Preparing Future
Faculty (PFF) program expanded this training to inlude an understanding of
academia and pedagogy in higher education.
As a first-time instructor at the college level, the program provided
invaluable support from colleagues and mentors at Miami University and other
university campuses. Through the PFF
program, I participated in the Midwest Institute for Students and Teachers of
Psychology (MISTOP) conference and attended the Lilly conference, both of which
helped to improve my teaching skills and understanding of different
pedagogy. The PFF program provided
valuable insight into life as a faculty member as well as administrative
responsibilities at different types of universities. I worked with a supportive mentor at Northern Kentucky University
and learned a lot about the adjustment process as a faculty member following
graduate school. I observed different
teaching methods and different university faculty meetings. In addition to learning about roles of a faculty
member, I have also gained insight into the complex responsibilities of a
clinical faculty member. The PFF
program has certainly helped me to expand my skills as a growing clinical
psychologist in higher learning and has provided me with a stronger edge as a
clinical psychologist.
Mark Schlutsmeyer
Mentor: Mary Schwendener-Holt,
Earlham College
Being
involved in the PFF program has helped me to direct my thinking toward what goes
on at the heart of teaching. While our attention to practical issues concerning
careers in academia has been helpful, it is this focus on the heart of teaching
that has been the most rewarding for me. I have had the chance to work with a
faculty mentor who embodies great teaching and is closely connected to both her
students and the subjects she teaches. She has been very open with me about her
struggles, fears, and joys as a teacher and has encouraged me to look at my own
teaching in the same open way. Although
I continue to struggle with many aspects of my role as a teacher, learning to
see my teaching in a more open light
has pushed me toward feeling more courageous about what I am doing and why I am
doing it. I am glad that the PFF program has provided me with a chance to grow
in this way.
David Mueller
Mentor: Kathy Milar, Earlham College
PFF has been an excellent experience
for me. I feel that I have benefited
from it in three ways. As a doctoral
student at a research-teaching oriented university, PFF has provided me with
the opportunity to learn about teaching from experienced instructors at
non-doctoral institutions. I feel that
the mentoring program and attending the Midwest Institute for Students and
Teachers of Psychology was an especially valuable experience in this
respect. Second, I have benefited from
working with students at a small liberal arts college. The atmosphere at such an institution has an
important effect on the students, the type of learning that occurs, and the
day-to-day operation of an academic department. Finally, I think that PFF has provided me with an opportunity to
reflect on my teaching style, approach, and philosophy. These aspects will be important in an
academic career.