This program provides selected faculty members of various rank with opportunities to infuse diversity and inclusion into existing curriculum, create models to improve classroom dynamics in support of social justice, or identify strategies to enhance institutional practices.
Towson University’s Diversity & Inclusion Faculty Fellows (DIFF) Program will support the actualization of the University’s vision for diversity and inclusion by providing selected faculty members of various rank with opportunities to infuse diversity and inclusion into existing curriculum, create models to improve classroom dynamics in support of social justice, create scholarly knowledge that supports equity, access, and inclusion or identify strategies to enhance institutional practices. Program outcomes will serve as evidence of the Division of Academic Affairs’ commitment to Towson University’s 2020-2030 Strategic Plan: Leadership for the Public Good and the Diversity Strategic Plan: A More Inclusive TU: Advancing Equity and Diversity (2020–25).
TU’s DIFF program provides support for TU faculty who are interested in developing or redesigning courses for major or core curriculum, curricular practices to support inclusive classroom environments, research and teaching projects, pedagogy and research toolkits, scholar-practitioner collaborations, and/or building collaborations to enhance diversity and inclusion.
Diversity and Inclusion Faculty Fellow Expectations:
Selected Faculty Fellows will be awarded a $1,500 stipend or a course release for their participation in the program. If multiple faculty members are involved in the project, the stipend will be split among the faculty members. In addition, Fellows or each team of Fellows will have an opportunity to apply for an additional $750 to support the implementation of their project.
Note: Electronic submission of materials is preferred and can be accessed at the link below. Proposals may also be submitted by emailing diversityfellows AT_TOWSON or delivered to Jasmine Nance in the Office of the Provost.
Deadline to submit proposals is Thursday, March 24, 2022, by 5 PM EST. All applicants will be notified by Friday, April 15, 2022.
Selection of Diversity and Inclusion Faculty Fellows will be made by the Diversity Faculty Fellows Review/Advisory Committee.
Selected Fellows will be invited to participate in a one-on-one meeting to discuss their needs and expectations as a participant of the Diversity and Inclusion Faculty Fellows Program after selection.
Questions? Contact Iona Johnson, Assistant Provost for Diversity & Inclusion.
| Name | Department |
|---|---|
| Michaela Frischherz | Associate Professor, Communication Studies |
| Iona Johnson | Assistant Provost for Diversity and Inclusion |
| Maggie Reitz | Vice Provost, Office of the Provost |
| Lisa Simmons | College of Business and Economics and Business Communications |
| Brenda Conley | Assistant Professor, Instructional Leadership & Professional Development |
All TU faculty, including lecturers, adjuncts, and clinical faculty in any discipline are eligible to apply for this program. Proposals must be for pedagogy, service, research, and/or innovative collaborations between scholarship and practice as noted below:
Examples include developing assignments, methods of universal design, and other techniques in the classroom that guide students towards adopting an analytical framework for understanding and valuing difference and inclusion.
Examples include developing departmental courses that add to students’ understanding of the experiences of others. These courses might be added as part of a major or the core curriculum.
Examples include innovative research from any discipline.
Examples include partnering with other faculty (of any rank) or staff on diversity and inclusion research, faculty and on-campus practitioners partnering to study, observe and apply programs, serving diverse populations. Community engagement and workshop facilitation is welcomed.
Examples include projects that sustain long-term relationships related to diversity and inclusion. Mentoring might be related to student and faculty retention, curriculum development supporting inclusive and diverse classroom, the tenure process, and other opportunities.
Examples include assisting with collaborations and initiatives across departments and across campus and/or proposing and organizing conferences or speakers.
For more information on the program, contact Iona Johnson, Assistant Provost for Diversity and Inclusion.