Environmental Sustainability Pathways Master s Fellowships. For TCU Faculty, Staff Members and Recent Graduates. American Indian College Fund

Transcription

1 Environmental Sustainability Pathways Master s Fellowships For TCU Faculty, Staff Members and Recent Graduates American Indian College Fund The American Indian College Fund is providing faculty fellowships to assist faculty members at Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin to earn master s degrees. TCU staff members and recent graduates who are likely to become faculty members are also eligible for these fellowships. The College Fund will identify eight Master s Fellows beginning in the academic year and award them fellowships of up to $20,000 over a two-year period. The College Fund will consider supporting 2 years of an individual s pursuit of a doctoral degree recognizing that support provided would be primarily for coursework and not completion of the dissertation. Fellowships may be used for tuition, fees, books, travel to classes, and other educational expenses. This packet contains instructions and forms for applying for the fellowships. Applicants must meet all of the following criteria: Eligibility Be a current tribal college faculty member or are a TCU staff or recent TCU graduate likely to become a faculty member in the future at a TCU in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota or Wisconsin. The College Fund holds a strong preference for collaborating with the TCUs to grow their own faculty members from their communities. Be admitted to or enrolled in an accredited master s degree program or doctoral degree program in Environmental Sciences, Natural Resources or Sustainability fields. Be committed to completing a master s degree within two years of receiving the fellowship or progressing towards a doctoral degree. Plan to continue serving at a TCU for at least two years after completion of the fellowship. Possess a demonstrated commitment to American Indian education and scholarship. Requirements Participate in ongoing fellowship retreats and mentoring services provided with all College Fund programming. Authorize regular progress reports and contact between the master s or doctoral degree granting university and the College Fund s Program Coordinator Maintain regular contact with the College Fund s program coordinator through TCU visits and other forms of communication.

2 Complete a master s degree within two years of being awarded the fellowship or maintain progress towards a doctoral degree. Serve as a faculty member, assistant teacher, or researcher at your TCU for two years following tenure as a fellow. Selection Process The application deadline is August 30, However the College Fund will exercise flexibility with candidates in the process of gaining admission to a master s program. The College Fund will assess the quality of applications with reference to the following criteria: Applicant s potential to make long-term contributions to TCUs in teaching, research, and service Academic potential to succeed in graduate study and complete a master s or doctorate degree Potential and interest for eventually completing a terminal degree in Environmental Sustainability Competence displayed in the application--clarity and completeness of the written materials Quality of references and support from the applicant s TCU administration Please see the following application materials. Do not hesitate to contact April Negrette, Program Coordinator for the Pathways to Environmental Sustainability at (720) or anegrette@collegefund.org, for further information.

3 Applicant s Personal Information Mrs. Ms. Mr. First Name: Last Name: Tribal Affiliation (if applicable): Tribal College or University: Department: Position: Duties/role and duration: Contact information for receiving communication from the College Fund: (Street) (City) (State) (Zip Code) Telephone: Alt. Telephone: Address: Personal Statement Please attach a personal statement that describes: Your journey to becoming a tribal college faculty or staff member. Your goals for graduate education and how these relate to your career objectives. How your achievement of a master s or doctorate degree will contribute to your TCU and community Anything else you d like to include.

4 Evidence of Pursuit of Master s Degree Please attach documentation that you are admitted to or enrolled in a master s or doctorate degree program in an Environmental Science, Natural Resource or Sustainability field. This can be a letter of admission or transcripts. If you are in the process of applying for admission, explain this and provide a date by which you will likely be admitted. If your program is in another related field, explain the importance of completing a degree in that field to programming at your TCU. You can include that description in your Personal Statement. References Please include the following reference materials: Reference #1: Tribal College President or Chief Academic Officer Have your TCU president or chief academic officer complete a letter of reference according to the attached guidelines. Reference #2: Additional Reference One additional professional who has agreed to act as your reference should complete a letter according the attached guidelines. Commitment to Teaching at a Tribal College / University The American Indian College Fund s goal is to increase and enrich intellectual capacity at tribal colleges and universities. Therefore we request your signature of commitment to teaching at a TCU for a minimum of two years following completion of the Environmental Sustainability Pathways Master s Fellowship. In addition to signing below, if you are selected as a Fellow, we will send you an official contract to sign assuring your commitment to complete the Environmental Sustainability Pathways Master s Fellowship in the allotted time frame as well as reaffirming your commitment to teach for two years at a TCU. If I am chosen as an Environmental Sustainability Pathways Master s Fellowship recipient, by affixing my signature to this application I hereby commit myself to continue serving as a tribal college faculty member for at least two years after completion of the fellowship. Signature: Date:

5 Reference letter format: This should be given to your TCU President or Chief Academic Officer as they write a reference letter on your behalf. The Environmental Sustainability Pathways Master s Fellowship Program The goal of the American Indian College Fund s Environmental Sustainability Pathways Master s Fellowship Program is to increase the number of tribal college faculty members with master s degrees in Environmental Sustainability fields. Staff members with teaching duties and recent TCU graduates who are likely to become faculty may also apply. The Fund hopes these fellowships can assist you in developing community members into faculty members. We are grateful for your willingness to provide a letter of reference for one of the applicants to this fellowship program. Please address the following questions: 1. Does this applicant have your full support to apply for the fellowship and pursue a master s degree? Will it be possible for the applicant to do graduate studies while performing her/his duties at your TCU? 2. How long have you known the applicant, and how would you rank the applicant s overall ability and likelihood to complete a master s degree and potentially go on to a doctorate? 3. How important is the applicant s completion of a master s to your tribal college and community? 4. How would you characterize the applicant s commitment to their tribal college community? For questions or additional information, please contact April Negrette, the Fund s program officer for the Environmental Sustainability Pathways, at (720) Please send your reference letter by 5:00 p.m. MDT, August 30, anegrette@collegefund.org Thank you! or U.S. Mail American Indian College Fund Attention: April Negrette, Program Officer Environmental Sustainability Pathways Program Denver, CO 80221

6 Reference letter format: This may be given to your additional reference as they write a reference letter on your behalf. The Environmental Sustainability Pathways Master s Fellowship Program The goal of the American Indian College Fund s Environmental Sustainability Pathways Master s Fellowship Program is to increase the number of tribal college faculty members with master s degrees in Environmental Sustainability fields. Staff members with teaching duties and recent TCU graduates who are likely to become faculty may also apply. We are grateful for your willingness to provide a letter of reference for an applicant to this fellowship program. Please address the following questions: 1. How long have you known the applicant, and how would you describe the applicant s overall academic ability and personal qualities necessary for completing graduate studies? 2. How would you characterize the applicant s commitment and ability to contribute to their tribal college community? For questions or additional information, please contact April Negrette, the Fund s program officer for Environmental Sustainability Pathways, at (720) Please send your reference letter by 5:00 p.m. MDT, August 30, U.S. Mail anegrette@collegefund.org or American Indian College Fund Attention: Ken Wilson, Program Officer Attention: April Negrette, Program Officer Mellon Research Fellowship Program Environmental Sustainability Pathways Program Thank you! Denver, CO Denver, CO 80221

7 Application Checklist/Required Documents Applicants must submit the following documents and information to receive full consideration during the committee evaluation process: Application: Completed application, including applicant information and signed commitment to continuing to teach at a TCU Personal Statement & Resume Two letters of Reference: One from TCU president or chief academic officer; one additional Proof of admission to an accredited master s or doctoral program Application and all required supplemental documentation should be sent directly to the Fund by or U.S. mail. By , send to: anegrette@collegefund.org By U.S. mail, send to: American Indian College Fund Attention: April Negrette Environmental Sustainability Pathways Program Denver, CO To meet the deadline, please arrange for certification letters and references well in advance. Preference will be given to applications received by 5:00 p.m. MDT, August 30, 2014.