Meet the IFE 2024-25 cohort!

Mission 

The Institute for Faculty Excellence is a dynamic partnership between the Office of Faculty Success in the Office of the Provost and the Teaching, Learning, and Professional Development Center. The core mission of the IFE is to foster ongoing career and leadership development, including and beyond the tenure, continuing appointment, and promotion processes. The IFE is equally dedicated to enhancing faculty well-being by cultivating an environment where faculty members feel empowered, supported, and equipped to excel in their teaching, research, and service roles within the institution, their professional field, and their lives. Participation in the IFE serves as a catalyst for professional growth, bolstered through carefully selected resources that enable faculty members to thrive throughout their academic careers.

At the heart of IFE lies a collective commitment to embracing and encouraging the expression of multifaceted perspectives to serve mutual growth, enhance insight and innovation, and foster a shared sense of purpose. Through supporting the whole faculty member, IFE endeavors to shape a campus community where the pursuit of faculty excellence is not only sustainable but also inherently rewarding.

What participants are saying:

"Being part of the IFE was a transformative experience for me. I not only learned more effective communication skills — but I also gained a network of mentors, colleagues, and friends. This experience has helped me grow as a leader and given me the tools to navigate professional challenges with more confidence and clarity." - IFE 2024-25 Cohort Member

"So many of us are experiencing the same feelings and emotions (overworked, undervalued, struggling) but there is so much hope in community!" - IFE 2024-25 Cohort Member

"I experienced a genuine sense of community among the participants. My needs for belonging and support were met, and I am grateful for the IFE experience." IFE 2024-25 Cohort Member

"Restored my faith in collaboration and friendship at work[.]" - IFE 2024-25 Cohort Member

“Provided space for rethinking my journey towards excellence and virtuosity in academe; the interdisciplinary engagement and learning expanded my perspectives and allowed me to experience the interdisciplinary beauty and impact of TTU.” – IFE 2023-24 Cohort Member

“Connecting with colleagues is a valuable resource for teaching excellence - we are not in it alone.” – IFE 2023-24 Cohort Member

“My biggest take-away was how much Leadership has to do with learning, listening, and compassion. What a wonderful opportunity to do all of this with great mentors and excellent colleagues.” – IFE 2023-24 Cohort Member

“I have always 'kind of' known that professional/personal growth is a shared need among many of us on campus, but what I didn't know before IFE was that: they were many resources, support, mentors, allies/peers out there. I am most grateful that IFE helps create a community for this and identify/provide varying resources for further pursuit of professional/personal growth. What I learned about individualized strengths, leadership, compassionate communication, self-advocating, and self-branding will benefit me forever.” – IFE 2023-24 Cohort Member

What is Faculty Excellence?

Faculty excellence refers to the exceptional performance, achievements, and contributions of educators within our institution. It encompasses a multifaceted approach to teaching, research, and service that goes beyond conventional expectations. Faculty members who exhibit excellence are not only proficient in their subject matter but also display a strong commitment to enhancing the educational experience, advancing knowledge through research and scholarship, and contributing positively to the institution and local and professional communities.

The Institute for Faculty Excellence offers opportunities for growth through:

• Professional Development: A range of workshops, seminars, and training sessions focused on teaching strategies, research methodologies, grant writing, technology integration, and other skills relevant to faculty members' roles.
• Academic Career Coaching: A personal coaching program to help faculty members further advance their careers within and beyond Texas Tech University.
• Work-Life Integration: Strategies and programming for achieving a healthy work-life balance, addressing issues such as time management, stress reduction, and workload management.
• Leadership Development: Opportunities for faculty members to identify and develop leadership skills within the institution, including administrative roles, committee leadership, and contributions to institutional decision-making.
• Negotiation and Conflict Resolution: Guidance on having difficult conversations for use in and outside the classroom with students or colleagues. 
• Academic Identity: Support an understanding and awareness of different social identities within academia, inclusive of values, beliefs, practices, and perspectives, to navigate cross-cultural interactions in a respectful, sensitive, and effective manner.
• Reflection and Listening (ReaL) Forums: Gatherings for faculty to hear and express thoughts, ideas, and solutions regarding the evolving challenges and opportunities facing faculty members.
• Career Transition Support: Programs and resources tailored to assist faculty with navigating the transitions between career stages, including mid-career faculty and those transitioning from faculty to administration, as well as those transitioning toward retirement.

Eligibility

1. Full-time Faculty at any rank who have completed a successful 3rd-year review or new full-time faculty who have previously achieved tenure or continuing appointment at another institution. 
2. A genuine interest in pursuing faculty excellence as supported by the IFE, and 
3. A willingness to commit to the time requirements of the IFE.

Timeline: Late September 2025 - April 2026

Time Commitment: 12-14 hours of programmed content: 6-7 hours per semester offered through a mix of 5 required workshops per term (4 mandatory and 1 elective) plus one academic coaching session, about half of which is selected by the participant from a list of relevant sessions based on individual interest, and a minimum of one deliverable in the participant’s area of choice, teaching, research, or service (i.e., a revised class assignment, a co-authored journal article, or a graduate student handbook for a unit). Deliverables will be submitted to the Director of IFE for feedback.

Point-of-Duty: Participation will mirror each faculty member’s official point-of-duty. For example, a remote faculty member may participate by attending the online live streams of relevant sessions. Sessions will not be recorded; therefore, remote faculty must attend the sessions during the scheduled times. Although sessions will be live streamed, the content is not specifically designed for online learning. Remote faculty members will have participation facilitated by a dedicated assistant moderating the chat and audio features. On-campus faculty members are expected to attend sessions in person.

Stipend: $1500

Advisory Board

Dr. Alec Cattell, Associate Director, TLPDC

Dr. Megan Condis, Associate Professor, Creative Media Industries & Communication Studies

Dr. Lisa Garner Santa, Professor of Music, Director, IFE

Dr. Joaquin Gonzales, Associate Professor, Kinesiology

Dr. Adam W. Smith, Associate Professor, Biochemisty

Dr. Meixiu Zhang, Assistant Professor, Applied Linguistics

 

Please contact Dr. Lisa Garner Santa, Director of the Institue for Faculty Excellence, with any questions.

 

Applications for the 2025-2026 cohort will open on Monday, June 16th!