Academy For Future Faculty
Academy for Future Faculty
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.
Job responsibilities for faculty vary both across and within institutions, requiring different levels of dedication to teaching, research, and service. As such, AFF is an introduction to life in the professoriate and a supplement to research-oriented graduate and postdoctoral programs in all disciplines where teaching experience may not be readily available.
As a CIRTL@TAMU program, AFF provides professional development opportunities for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars, both in STEM disciplines and far beyond. This organization allows participants four semesters to complete the AFF program at their own pace. Our program features weekly seminars covering a wide variety of topics, mentorship from current Texas A&M Faculty, and the opportunity to curate documents for their teaching portfolio (teaching philosophy, course syllabus, etc.). AFF participants leave the program prepared for entering careers in higher education.
AFF events are free and open to everyone in the Texas A&M academic community. Participants may choose to attend individual seminars or to participate in the program and receive their fellowship certificates. New fellows are recognized at the annual Graduate and Professional School Awards Ceremony. AFF is not active during summer semesters.
The registration link is 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 with any questions about the AFF program.
Certificate Program
AFF Participants are given 4 Semesters (starting from the moment of registration) to complete the program from the time they register. The AFF is not active during summer semesters. To complete the two-year (4-semester) program and receive the Academy for Future Faculty Fellow Certificate, participants need to:Each semester, the AFF holds 8 or more seminars covering a wide range of topics related to teaching, education, and faculty development. Participants can attend any AFF-hosted seminar to earn an attendance point. To complete the program, participants must earn a minimum of 5 attendance points total.
- Core Seminars: There are four (4) topics that constitute the “core curriculum” of the AFF and are offered once each semester. Participants will be expected to submit three completed documents (see “Submit a copy of their Teaching philosophy, Syllabus and CV”) and one quiz (see “Complete 1 Learning Outcomes Quiz”) related to these core seminars. The Core Seminars are:
- Learning Outcomes
- Teaching Philosophy
- Syllabus Design
- Curriculum Vitae
- Elective Seminars: Each semester, four (4) or more elective seminars will be held. These seminars can cover a broad range of topics, including securing funding, engaging with students online, elevator pitches, and more. Each semester, new elective seminar topics will be offered, allowing the AFF to provide participants with a wide variety of seminars to attend. Participants are expected to complete quizzes associated with the Elective seminars they attend (see “Complete 4 Elective Quizzes”)
Participants in the AFF are expected to identify a mentor at Texas A&M to guide them throughout the program. The mentor must be a Texas A&M faculty member with a Master's or Doctoral degree; however, the mentor can be from any department. Participants cannot select their advisor (chair) or postdoctoral supervisor to be their mentor. We encourage participants to meet regularly with their mentors throughout the AFF program. Participants should use these meetings to reflect on seminar content, ask questions and solicit feedback on their required documents (see “Submit a copy of their Teaching Philosophy, CV and Syllabus”).
After attending these three core seminars (see “Attend a Minimum of 5 Seminars in person and 3 Asynchronously”), participants must draft a unique teaching philosophy, a CV, and a syllabus based on the information from the core seminars. Participants are expected to obtain and incorporate feedback from their AFF mentor to further develop each document. As proof of this, participants must have their mentor sign and date each document before uploading it to Canvas. Mentors may sign anywhere on the document, though it is encouraged that they sign either at the top or the bottom. Any documents submitted without a mentor's signature will not receive credit.
After attending the Learning Outcomes core seminar (see “Attend a Minimum of 5 Seminars in person and 3 Asynchronously”), participants will be expected to complete a quiz over the information provided during the Learning Outcomes seminar. To receive credit for this quiz, participants must score at least 90%. Any score below 90% will not be accepted. Participants will be given three chances to take the quiz, with the highest overall score kept. This quiz does NOT count toward a participant's Elective Quiz credits (see “Complete 4 Elective Quizzes”) because it is a core seminar requirement.
Participants will select a Texas A&M faculty member and observe their teaching for one class period. This does not have to be done with the participant's AFF mentor; it can be any faculty member at the University, so long as the participant has permission to do so. Always request permission beforehand from the professor you would like to observe! Using the observation form on Canvas, participants will answer questions about the classroom environment, the teaching methods used, and the overall effectiveness of instruction during their observation. They will then submit the observation form through Canvas. This document does not have to be signed by the participants' AFF mentor.
Not located at the College Station (main) campus?
Graduate students and postdoctoral scholars located at Texas A&M branch campuses (Galveston, Qatar) or academic and research units (Texas A&M Health, etc.) may submit a Distance Document, allowing them to participate in the AFF program remotely. Distance participants are expected to meet all other requirements, aside from attendance (which is waived in the distance document), using seminar recordings and slides posted on the Canvas page. As mentioned above, the recording of seminars is at the presenters' discretion. Distance participants can email AFF@tamu.edu for confirmation on which seminars will be available on Canvas.
Spring 2026 AFF Session Schedule
Spring 2026 AFF Session Schedule
|
Date |
Time |
Type |
Topic |
Location |
|
January 21st |
6:00 - 7:00 PM |
Kick-off |
Kick-off/Orientation |
ILCB 207 |
|
January 28th |
6:00 - 7:00 PM |
Core |
Learning Outcomes |
ILCB 207 |
|
February 4th |
6:00 - 7:00 PM |
Elective |
Universal Teaching Models |
ILCB 207 |
|
February 11th |
6:00 - 7:00 PM |
Core |
Syllabus Design |
ILCB 207 |
|
February 18th |
6:00 - 7:00 PM |
Elective |
Facilitating Difficult Conversations |
ILCB 207 |
|
February 25th |
6:00 - 7:00 PM |
Elective |
Interviewing as Prospective Faculty |
ILCB 207 |
|
March 4th |
6:00 - 7:00 PM |
Core |
Teaching Philosophy |
ILCB 207 |
|
March 18th |
6:00 - 7:00 PM |
Core |
CV |
ILCB 207 |
|
March 25th |
6:00 - 7:00 PM |
Elective |
Intercultural Communication |
ILCB 207 |
|
April 1st |
6:00 - 7:00 PM |
Elective |
Micro-Teaching |
ILCB 207 |
Ready to Get Started? Register for AFF today!
Enrollment for AFF is open year-round, so join anytime you are ready.
Sign UpFAQ Section
When does the 4-semester timeline start after I register for the program?
From the moment a participant is granted access to the AFF Canvas page, their timeline begins. Even if a participant does not attend seminars or participate in the program at all during this time, they are still only given 4 semesters to complete the program.
When will I receive my AFF certificate?
Certificates are distributed once a year in late April/early May. This usually occurs at the annual Awards Ceremony. If the Ceremony is cancelled, participants will receive their certificates electronically by email.
Is there a due date for any of the requirements?
All documents are due the semester the participant wishes to complete the program, and quizzes are due the semester they’re released. Documents can be turned in at any time, even when the AFF is not active. However, grading may be delayed. Participants should strive to complete all program requirements by late March/early April if they wish to receive their certificate that Spring semester. However, Participants can complete the program at any time within the 4-semester timeframe; they just won't receive a certificate until the Spring following their completion.
What days and times are AFF seminars offered?
AFF seminars are offered during weekdays (Monday through Friday). The exact days of the seminars vary from semester to semester. All seminars take place after 5 pm.
What is required to be a Distance participant?
The AFF offers a distance option for participants who are not located in the College Station/Bryan area or are enrolled fully online. The distance option is not available to participants in the main College Station/Bryan area unless explicitly approved by the AFF directors and/or Advisors.
Co-Advisor - Jamie L. Thompson
Dr. Jamie L. Thompson is an experienced educator and instructional designer dedicated to enhancing teaching and learning through innovative strategies and emerging technologies. As the Assistant Director of Teaching Excellence at Texas A&M University's Center for Teaching Excellence, she collaborates with faculty to develop effective curricula, integrate instructional technologies, and improve student engagement. Her research focuses on Universal Design for Learning (UDL), digital accessibility, and generative AI, fostering a supportive, engaging, and collaborative learning environment. With expertise in curriculum development and pedagogical best practices, she works to create adaptable and accessible learning environments that support diverse learners. Dr. Thompson is committed to leveraging technology to enhance instructional effectiveness, empowering educators to implement forward-thinking, research-based approaches. Through her leadership, she advances faculty development initiatives that foster innovation and improve learning outcomes in higher education.
Co-Advisor - Jasmine Zenn Vei
As an educational consultant at the Center for Teaching Excellence, Jasmine Zenn Vei specializes in supporting graduate teaching assistants in their professional development. Jasmine’s focus is in collaboration with the Graduate and Professional School, which includes the Teaching Assistant Institute, Academy for Future Faculty, and GSPDT Professional Development events. With a strong foundation in human resource development and student affairs administration, Jasmine brings a unique blend of academic expertise and practical experience to her work. Her background in leadership education, career advising, and instructional support enables her to empower graduate students as they navigate their teaching responsibilities and academic careers. She values innovative teaching methods, hands-on learning, and holistic student support, aiming to create meaningful connections between faculty, graduate students, and institutional resources. Through collaboration and strategic mentorship, Jasmine's approach emphasizes empathy, positivity, and thoughtful program design, ensuring that teaching assistants receive the guidance and resources needed to excel in the classroom and beyond.
2025-2026 Executive Committee
Director - Jacquie R. Berry
Jacquie is a Fourth year Ph.D. student in the Veterinary Pathobiology department within the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Her current research is focused on the dynamics of tick feeding and pathogen transmission in the search for an anti-tick vaccine candidate to prevent diseases like Lyme Disease. She earned her bachelor’s degree of science in biomedical sciences from Texas A&M University in 2021 and truly carries the Aggie spirit with her in all things. Jacquie holds memberships in multiple local and national groups and is very passionate about outreach in the community and encouraging people from all backgrounds to pursue careers in science. Her motivation for joining the AFF executive committee was her passion for teaching others, her love for Texas A&M and her belief that the AFF has helped to better prepare her for a career in academia. She wanted to a be a part of this great organization and assist in shaping the educators of the future.
Assistant Director - Aidan Holman
Aidan Holman is a Ph.D. student in Toxicology at Texas A&M University. He combines artificial intelligence and spectroscopy to create diagnostic models for disease detection, environmental monitoring, and forensic analysis. Aidan graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M University, where he double majored in Forensic and Investigative Sciences and Entomology. During his undergraduate degree, Aidan participated in numerous research projects, including investigating the mechanisms of amyloidogenic diseases like Alzheimer’s, Type II Diabetes, and Parkinson’s. He also worked on diagnostic tools for identifying bacteremias such as Lyme Disease and identifying tick species through frass for preventative measures, among other projects. Aidan’s academic journey included a study abroad experience in Trinidad and Tobago, where he researched the commensalism of necrophagous arthropods. His dedication to research earned him the Dean’s Outstanding Achievement Award in Undergraduate Research in 2023. In his spare time, Aidan enjoys painting and traveling.
Faith Ebiere Eguolo Odele
Faith is interested in researching the evolution (and regression) of gender rhetoric through precolonial (Western), colonial, and “post-colonial” contexts, with a particular interest in theorizing and decolonizing gender and racial rhetoric. She aspires to inspire meaningful conversations and foster understanding, compassion, justice, hope, love, and life with her writing and scholarship. Her mind is a constant garden of musings, and sometimes they translate to poetry, prose, essays, or dialogues. In addition to PhDing and musing, she likes to travel to see the world, meet different people of different nations, enjoy their music, learn their songs, dances, and stories, and taste their delicacies. After participating in the Academy for Future Faculty (AFF) in the Spring 2024 semester and learning effective teaching practices to make her a better instructor as a graduate teaching assistant and to prepare her for a desired career in academia, Faith is excited to support other aspiring future faculty to benefit from AFF as a member of the executive committee.
Carli Copell
Carli is a third-year Ph.D. student in the Department of Sociology in the College of Arts and Sciences. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and Sociology from Ouachita Baptist University and her master’s degree in Sociology from the University of Houston. Her master's thesis explored how millennial mothers in East Texas actively negotiated the ideals of intensive mothering, drawing on their own educational experiences to shape their visions for their children’s academic futures. It also examined how these women adopted a framework of “mothering with grace,” grounded in compassion, resilience, and cultural values. Carli earned her AFF certificate in Spring 2025 and found the program instrumental in developing her teaching skills and academic confidence. Motivated by the program’s role in her growth as an educator, she joined the committee to contribute and support others on similar paths. Carli looks forward to encouraging fellow graduate and professional students by sharing resources, offering support, and helping them build the skills needed to thrive in the classroom and beyond.
Vishnudas Kulangara Veettil
Vishnudas Kulangara Veettil is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Animal Science at Texas A&M University whose work bridges veterinary science, economics, and advanced modeling. He specializes in animal disease epidemiology, beef value chain assessment, and computational modeling, using system dynamics, agent-based models, and machine learning to improve livestock production systems and reduce the economic and productivity losses caused by animal diseases. Originally from India, Vishnudas earned his DVM degree and later completed a Master of Veterinary Science at the Indian Veterinary Research Institute, where he examined the socio-economic risks faced by goat farmers due to viral diseases. Passionate about applying research to real-world challenges, he is committed to engaging with diverse communities and advancing sustainable livestock systems on a global scale.