November 2, 2022

Aspiring Faculty Converge for SEC Emerging Scholars Workshop

By: SEC Staff
SECU (Twitter: @TheSECU)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Selected doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers from all 14 member universities gained insight into academic careers at the recent Southeastern Conference Emerging Scholars Career Preparation Workshop.

Hosted by the University of Missouri on September 27-29, the workshop is part of the SEC Provosts initiative to aid in preparing future faculty members from within the Conference. It provides professional development and networking opportunities for those scholars considering a career in higher education, with attention being provided to those from historically underrepresented groups.

The event marked the second workshop for the emerging scholars program after being in a virtual format in the inaugural year of 2021. More than 70 scholars attended as well as faculty and administrative representatives from each SEC institution.

“I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to be present for the very first in-person event, and I had such a wonderful time at the University of Missouri,” said Mia Kreitlow, a neuroscience Ph.D student at Texas A&M University. “It was such an amazing experience to be a part of this first step towards a more diverse and well-rounded academia. I appreciate all the effort that was poured into the week.”

The workshop opened with a reception and included welcome remarks from Missouri President Mun Y. Choi, as well as a keynote address on the importance of the academy by Dr. Tom Spencer, vice chancellor for research, innovation and impact at Missouri.

Five professional development sessions featured speakers from different SEC universities. Presentations covered various topics related to the hiring process, dealing with bias and what to expect as a new faculty member. The SEC scholars also participated in small group discussions and received feedback on articulating their research and polishing written materials like teaching statements.

“The University of Missouri was honored to host the first in-person SEC Emerging Scholars workshop,” said Dr. Matthew Martens, senior vice provost at Missouri. “We had a great group of speakers and facilitators who lent their considerable expertise and provided opportunities for vibrant discussions. The graduate students and postdoctoral fellows who attended the conference were truly inspiring, and we hope that many of them will eventually find faculty homes within the Conference.”

Meet this year’s emerging scholars who participated in the career preparation workshop.

In addition to the emerging scholars program, the SEC Provosts are currently administrators of the SEC Academic Leadership Development Program, the SEC Faculty Achievement Awards, and the SEC Faculty Travel Program, among other Conference activities. The SEC has supported the teaching, research and service mission of its members through these and other programs since 2011.