George Mason University
PAE-9: Support Programs for Future Faculty

George Mason (Mason) University is a partner institution in the Preparing Future Faculty (or PFF) Doctoral Internship Program. The PFF experience allows doctoral students to complete their professional academic training through workshops, seminars, and colloquia. The PFF program seeks to improve the quality of preparedness of graduate students, particularly minority graduate students, for academic careers. It was organized initially by the Council of Graduate Schools and the Association of American Colleges and Universities, with funding from the Pew Charitable Trusts. The program presents an integrated view of the roles of a professional academic through such activities as the following: -Workshops on development of professional credentials, seeking employment, and long range career plans -Seminars on designing courses, teaching techniques, and solving instructional problems -Case studies of ethical issues in academic life -Hands-on instruction in the uses of new technology for teaching and research -Presentations on the governance and functions of academic departments and institutions -Campus visits to different types of institutions (liberal arts colleges, comprehensive universities, community colleges, etc.) In 2009, the Mason Provost's Office and the Office of Equity and Diversity Services (OEDS) co-sponsored a site visit with Howard University as part of our PFF partnership. Nineteen doctoral candidates attended the day-long seminar that included workshops on grant writing and teaching portfolios. The students also attended a luncheon where they were able to connect with Mason faculty, as well as President Merten, Provost Stearns, and the Association of Black Faculty, Administrators, and Staff. In 2010, several members of Mason OEDS' staff participated in a PFF recruiting event held at Howard University in Washington, DC. The purpose of the event was to inform several Ph.D candidates of color about teaching and research opportunities at Mason that were being offered through the PFF program.