The Academy for Future Faculty (AFF) is a CIRTL@TAMU program. The Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL) is a National Science Foundation (NSF) funded network of research universities committed to preparing outstanding future faculty in STEM disciplines, with the ultimate goal of improving undergraduate STEM education in our country. The CIRTL mission is to enhance excellence in undergraduate education through the development of a national faculty committed to implementing and advancing effective teaching practices for diverse learners as part of successful and varied professional careers.
 
As a CIRTL@TAMU program, AFF provides professional development for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars to assist them to be “teaching ready” when entering careers in higher education. AFF offers a two-semester program featuring weekly seminars, mentorship from a current Texas A&M faculty member, and the opportunity to create documents for a teaching portfolio (teaching philosophy, course syllabus, etc.).
 
AFF events are free and open to everyone in the Texas A&M academic community. Participants may choose to attend a few seminars or enough to complete requirements for the AFF Fellow certificate. New fellows are recognized at the annual CTE banquet in April. AFF is not active during summer semesters.
 
Job responsibilities for faculty vary among and within institutions. As such, AFF is an introduction to life in the professoriate, and not an exhaustive teaching training for participants interested in faculty careers. AFF serves as a supplement to research-oriented graduate and postdoctoral programs.
 
The registration link can be found below. Registered participants will be given access to the AFF Canvas community, where they will be able to track their progress toward the certificate and submit required documents.
 
We welcome you to contact AFF@tamu.edu if you have any questions about the AFF program.