July 1, 2021

SEC Provosts Establish Emerging Scholars Program for Future Faculty

2016 SEC Professor of the Year Dr. Isiah Warner with an LSU Chemistry student.

By: SEC Staff
SECU (Twitter: @TheSECU)

Birmingham, Ala. (July 1, 2021) – The SEC Provosts have established an emerging scholars program to aid in preparing future faculty members, the Southeastern Conference announced on Thursday. The program is designed to provide professional development and networking opportunities for current doctoral students and a limited number of postdoctoral researchers who are considering careers in higher education. 

 The SEC Emerging Scholars Program is meant to encourage top scholars, with attention provided to those from historically underrepresented groups, to seek out employment and mentorship within the SEC. Each SEC member may select up to 10 participants for the first workshop, which will be conducted in a virtual format this fall. 

 “Faculty who closely mentor the students we serve help make our universities rich learning environments, and the SEC Provosts are committed to working together to continue the progress we have each made individually on our campuses,” said Dr. Joseph Glover, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of Florida and chair of the SEC Provosts group. “The SEC Emerging Scholars Program is available to all, and its purpose is to ensure our communities reflect a multitude of experiences and viewpoints and that students are exposed to a variety of perspectives so they can become engaged, global citizens.” 

 A committee comprised of representatives from SEC graduate schools and provost offices has been charged with developing the first workshop agenda, including identifying topics and selecting presenters. Committee members are also expected to support the selected scholars on campus, who will be chosen using a competitive, institutional process. A host university for the first workshop will be announced at a later date. 

 Scholars who participate in the career preparation workshop will be expected to attend the entire multi-day event, complete several pre-workshop assignments and to visit with representatives from all 14 SEC universities on a range of topics, including the hiring process. 

 “The SEC Provosts have for years discussed the importance of preparing future faculty members for service and leadership in higher education,” said Dr. Torie A. Johnson, SEC Associate Commissioner for Academic Relations. “We are pleased to work alongside them and the future hosting universities to further develop the SEC 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. And the SEC has since 2011 supported the teaching, research and service mission of its members through these and other programs.