Faculty in Residence Program

Application Period for 2024-2025 Faculty in Residence Program is from September 15, 2023 - October 20, 2023! 

Academic Affairs, Student Engagement and Success, Islander Housing, and the Center for Faculty Excellence invite faculty to apply for the 2024-2025 Faculty in Residence [FIR] Program. 

The FIR program offers a unique opportunity for faculty to reside in campus housing units and collaborate and interact with students outside of the classroom experience, which has been attributed to student personal development, enhanced interpersonal skills, intellectual orientation, and growth in autonomy and independence. 

FIR Qualifications

1. Candidates must be full-time faculty, including tenured, tenure-track, and/or clinical/professional faculty.
2. Candidates must have 2 years (4 long semesters) of teaching experience at TAMU-CC and a strong background in student advising, mentoring, and/or undergraduate student engagement. The aforementioned minimum time must be completed at the time of application.
3. Preferred candidates will have experience in student programming, event planning, or other collaborative efforts among students, faculty, and university staff.
4. All adult campus housing residents will be subject to a criminal background check prior to final approval.

 FIR Responsibilities

1. FIR fellows will serve as a liaison between campus residential communities and Islander Housing. FIR appointments rotate on a 9-month schedule (August – May) with an option to stay through the summer following the spring semester serving as a fellow.
2. FIR fellows are expected to be on site in campus housing at least 3 nights during the school week (Sunday - Thursday). Move-in date is the same as the student move-in date.
3. FIR fellows will actively participate as members of the community, including:
   1. Collaborating and meeting regularly with residence life staff to discuss programming ideas and resident needs, issues, or concerns;
   2. Holding office hours in the residence hall a minimum of three hours per week;
   3. Acting as a role model of responsible and positive behavior;
   4. Serving as a resource for appropriate Housing policies and procedures;
   5. Assisting with crisis response as needed; and
   6. Engaging students and encouraging them to take advantage of and attend Islander Housing and University sponsored opportunities and events.
4. FIR fellows will also be responsible for organizing and hosting programming at lease twice a month that facilitates student engagement with faculty outside of the classroom. Examples of such programming include:
   1. Hosting a dinner for students and faculty;
   2. Inviting residents to movie screenings;
   3. Organizing workshops and inviting guest speakers; and
   4. Scheduling various educational and social events.

 FIR Benefits

1. Fully furnished 2BR-1BA apartment with amenities (internet, cable, utilities, laundry included). Spouses and minor dependent children may reside in the unit, as well as pets; 
2. Access to residential amenities such as Momentum Village gym; 
3. Parking availability near the residence hall and specific surface lots;
4. Campus Dining meal plan (30 meals each semester) and Dining Dollars ($200 each semester); and
5. One (1) 3-semester credit hour course reassignment per long semester (with chair and dean approval).

Application Process

Faculty who are interested in this opportunity must prepare an application portfolio and submit to the Center for Faculty Excellence by Friday, October 20, 2023, at 5 p.m. All applications must include the following:

1. Curriculum Vita.
2. Letter of Interest not to exceed 3 pages in length that addresses the following:
   1. Why you are interested in the FIR fellowship;
   2. Prior experience with SEAS, student organizations, or other collaborative initiatives among students and faculty outside of the classroom;
   3. Undergraduate courses taught at TAMU-CC;
   4. Brief overview of research interests; and
   5. Your vision for programming and initiatives in the FIR program that would support student success, engagement, and academic performance.
3. Letters of support from Department Chair and College Dean.
4. Contact information for 3-5 student references.

Faculty Applications will be reviewed by a committee consisting of representatives from Academic Affairs and Student Engagement and Success. Finalists will be interviewed and a decision will be rendered before February 1.