Future World Changers of the Academy National Conference
This year, the University of Massachusetts Amherst will serve as an institutional sponsor for the Future World Changers of the Academy (FWCA) National Conference hosted by Virginia Tech. The conference is scheduled to take place in person April 10-13, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia.
The Office of the Provost in collaboration with the Office of Equity and Inclusion and the Graduate School support faculty members and graduate students to attend the conference. Successful applicants will receive the cost of registration and a $1200 stipend for air travel and accommodations.
National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (NCFDD)
UMass Amherst is an institutional member of the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity. As such, institutional membership with the NCFDD is available to all faculty at no cost.
The NCFDD is an independent professional development, training and mentoring community of scholars and students from more than 450 colleges and universities. Its resources are intended to benefit faculty and students of color, as well as all who are in need of general mentoring and looking for support during their career transitions.
As members, individuals receive access to resources such as monthly webinars; multi-week courses; a discussion forum for peer mentoring and problem solving; writing challenges; and access to the NCFDD member library, which includes past webinar materials, referrals and readings. The center also offers professional development training and intensive mentoring programs.
To activate your membership, visit the NCFDD website.
Faculty Success Fellows Program
The UMass Amherst Faculty Success Fellows program supports faculty participation in the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (NCFDD) Faculty Success Program (FSP), a 10-week online program designed to help non-tenure track, tenure-track, and tenured faculty acquire skills to increase research and writing productivity while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. For our program, a group of Faculty Success Fellows is recommended by their Departments and Colleges based on a holistic assessment of the needs of the candidate and the potential impact on their career trajectory. Fellows receive funding through a cost-sharing model between the Department, College and the Office of the Provost to defray the costs of the NCFDD Faculty Success Program. The program provides mentorship, feedback, and support throughout the year.
African American Female Professor Award Association (AAFPAA)
The University of Massachusetts Amherst is an institutional sponsor for the African American Female Professor Award Association (AAFPAA) for its Annual African American Female Professor Award Celebration and the Annual University and College Presidents Ball.
AAFPAA celebrates and honors African American female professors each year who are dedicated to inclusion, equity, and positive change. Its mission is to foster a multicultural faculty that contributes to a healthy, stable, and inclusive learning environment. In addition to recognizing outstanding female professors, the association also awards scholarships to African American female undergraduate and graduate students are also given to those who are enrolled in college or university programs that have a positive impact on the community and who maintain a minimum GPA of 3.3.