October 20, 2008 — To be competitive in the job market, graduate students need teaching experience, and a statewide fellowship program can help them get it.

The Virginia Community College System's Faculty Development Initiative Teaching Fellowship offers opportunities for graduate students to teach courses at a community college while in graduate school. Students teach a course while being mentored by a full-time VCCS faculty member. The fellowship is also designed to give Ph.D. candidates from underrepresented populations teaching experience.

Christopher D. Lee, vice chancellor of human resources for VCCS, and Carlita Favero, a post-doctorate fellow working with cell biology, will provide information on the program Oct. 27 in the University of Virginia's Newcomb Hall Commonwealth Room at noon. Lee will give an overview of the fellowship. Favero, who received her Ph.D. from U.Va. and participated in the VCCS program teaching biology at Piedmont Virginia Community College, will share her first-hand experience with the fellowship.

Graduate students need a master's degree with appropriate course work in their subject area to participate in the fellowship. They will be paid the regular adjunct rate, and mentors will receive a stipend. The program is designed as a teaching opportunity for graduate students to become more competitive for professorships at any college or university.

The VCCS will create a database to inform participating students of future openings within the system. Several colleges and universities, including U.Va., have committed to participating in this program and more are being added. About a dozen U.Va. students have participated in the program since 2006.

The talk is open to the public.