ASCO’s Future Faculty Program
Planning has begun and applications are being accepted for ASCO’s fifth biennial Future Faculty Program. The program has been reformatted and will be held on an annual, year-long basis. The newly formatted virtual program will include lectures from January 2022 – June 2022 and mentoring sessions from January 2022 – December 2022.
ASCO wishes to include residents and graduate students from the schools and colleges of optometry to participate in the program, which is co-chaired by Drs. Mika Moy and Jeff Walline. The goal of the program is to provide participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to enhance their interest in and success as career-long, productive faculty members. Geared toward individuals who have an OD degree or are earning a PhD, the new virtual format will include asynchronous learning, as well as small group discussions.
Topics in the sessions include a description of academic jobs, preparing a curriculum vitae and what to expect in an interview, giving effective presentations, effective teaching and assessment, promotion criteria, working in research, breaking bad news to students, and work-life balance. In all, participants will better understand the benefits of academia and how to negotiate the process from day one. Students will also be paired with mentors who will provide formal and informal advice and encouragement along the way.
The Future Faculty Program is an ASCO initiative aimed at addressing the strategic objective of faculty promotion and development. Program participants will meet with assigned faculty/mentors and attend sessions covering areas in teaching and learning, scholarship, and academic culture.
Interested resident and graduate students may apply for the program from August 1 – November 15, 2021. The registration fee of $50 began October 1. All applications must be approved by the dean/president of the applicant’s institution before submission to ASCO. Those accepted into the program must commit to participating in a monthly asynchronous webinar, monthly synchronous Q&A sessions (the 15th of each month from January-June 2022), mentoring group meetings, and completing pre-and-post-FFP assignments. For more information, e-mail LaShawn Sidbury Duckett, CMP, CAE, Director of Meetings and Special Interest Groups, or call her (301) 231-5944 ext. 3.