At BAMSI, we value the importance of providing ongoing support for faculty development. Such investments are critical to enhance student learning, to provide career– long teaching and scholarly work for faculty, and to strengthen the institution. We give priority to initiatives that focus on best practices in higher education. In the teaching area, we provide priority support for best practices in higher education pedagogy and curriculum development. In the area of scholarship, we provide support for a broad array of scholarly initiatives.
Teaching and Research are primary components of what we do at the Institute. How curriculum is designed, how instructional strategies are chosen to implement the curriculum, how classroom learning is linked with co-curricular learning, and how student learning assessments are chosen are all intricately related components. Faculty development is essential to help faculty as they continue to hone the craft of effective teaching. Our Faculty Development efforts aim to provide faculty with opportunities for developing all components.
At BAMSI, scholarship and continued professional development are important. The linkage of ongoing scholarship with teaching is a hallmark of a great professor. We seek to support faculty members as they strive to continue their professional development across their careers as they engage in the construction of curriculum, and in honing and expanding their repertoire of engaging modes of instruction, research and assessment. We support faculty as they continue their scholarly pursuits, strengthening their disciplinary and interdisciplinary expertise, helping fulfill the mission of the Institute, meeting the educational needs of students, and contributing to the betterment of society.
Some of BAMSI’s Faculty Development Opportunities:
Upon completion of a funded project, a final report must be submitted to the Executive Director by the date stated in the grant description (usually within a week of return). Any individual who does not complete a project report will not be eligible for additional funds until they do. Monies not expended will be returned to the fund. Grantees must agree to return to BAMSI for one academic year of service as repayment. Otherwise, the grantee must repay the amount of the grant/award with appropriate interest.
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Faculty Mentoring Program
The Institute’s Faculty Mentoring Program addresses the needs of new, early, mid-level, and veteran faculty. The program assists them in making the transition to BAMSI and provides a wide range of assistance to new faculty, including advice, social support, information, coaching, and friendship. The program is designed to help new faculty develop social networks internally and externally. Each group is composed of three or four new faculty and one senior faculty who will serve as the facilitator. The groups meet at least one hour, once a month, throughout the academic year. Topics for these meeting are determined by the group and may include such items as teaching techniques, student academic integrity, strategies for achieving tenure, identifying useful resources at the Institute, balancing teaching and research, maintaining a healthy balance between work and life, handling ethical problems, negotiating departmental policies, and writing across the curriculum. -
New Faculty Orientation
An annual orientation program is provided to assist new faculty in learning more about the academic community at BAMSI. The orientation program provides an overview of the Institute and identifies expectations of the BAMSI community. Information on the Institute’s facilities, employee matters, academic requirements, and on-and off-campus cultural activities are also provided. The program also offers workshops to new faculty on topics ranging from technology services to research opportunities. -
New Faculty Grants.
The purpose of the grant is to assist faculty members in beginning a program of scholarship. The fund provides for a wide variety of scholarship-related expenses (receipted) including: justified travel, supplies, materials, equipment, and student assistant support. Purchased equipment will become the property of BAMSI. The grant is available for full-time faculty. Up to two (2) grants will be available each year. Typical grant range: $500- 1,500. Eligibility Full-time faculty during their first two years of service at the Institute.- Application and Reporting Process Grant money is administered by the Executive Director (or designee) after having been reviewed by the Professional Development Committee (PDC). Application, scoring rubrics, and general information are provided by the PDC. Completed applications are due February 1 to the PDC. Funds will be available after July 1, and must be used by February 28. A written report on the completed project must be submitted to the Executive Director by May 15. Faculty will also share their work in a workshop/seminar.
- Nature of a Successful Proposal Projects will be evaluated based on criteria as outlined in the proposal application and scoring rubrics. Successful proposals will include: a detailed description of the scope and purpose of the project, clear and beneficial connection(s) to your program of scholarship, benefit to the Institute and/or students, a realistic timeline, and a detailed budget and justification. The proposal should be explicit regarding the requested use of funds. Any deviations from the accepted proposal must be pre-approved by the Executive Director and must be submitted in writing for review. Faculty are expected to monitor the use of the funds and to provide a specific budget accounting as a portion of the final report
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School Travel Funds
Each faculty member may apply to the Academic Dean for up to $500 travel funds. Applications and approvals are at the school level. -
Summer Faculty Research Grant
The purpose of this grant is to assist faculty with scholarly research. This research grant is available to a faculty member conducting original research in his or her discipline(s) of expertise up to $2,000. The funds from this grant are typically used for materials, supplies and equipment if justified. Purchased equipment will become the property of BAMSI. Up to two Faculty Research Grants are available each academic year to different faculty members Eligibility: This grant is available to full-time faculty who have been with the Institute for at least three years. Preference will be given to excellent proposals and to those who have not previously received support for Faculty Research through this grant. It is expected that at the end of the research a paper or publication be generated.
Application and Reporting Process Grant money is administered by the Executive Director (or designee) after having been reviewed by the PDC. Application, scoring rubrics, and general information are provided by the PDC on or before February 1. The term of the grant will extend from May 4 through July 31 of the same year. A final report submitted to the Executive Director on the standard reporting form will be due not later than August 31 of the year of the grant. The report should delineate the accomplishments of the summer research grant and be related to the expected outcomes outlined in the proposal. Successful faculty will have to present research to colleagues through a workshop or seminar. Further, it is expected that the completed research is published in an appropriate professional journal or presented at a professional meeting.
Nature of Successful Proposal: Projects will be evaluated based on criteria as outlined in the proposal application and scoring rubrics. The proposal should provide a clear summary of the research project including a thorough description of the project, methodology, timeline (outline for weeks of focused work), and the outcome(s) expected from the work. The proposal should be explicit regarding the requested use of funds. Any deviations from the accepted proposal must be pre-approved by the Executive Director and must be submitted in writing for review. Faculty are expected to monitor the use of the funds and to provide a specific budget accounting as a portion of the final report -
Faculty Development Activity Grants
Grants will be available to full-time faculty for planning, organizing, and implementing a faculty development activity. This activity will include but be limited to curricular, instructional, organizational, and professional enrichment pursuits, relevant to the developmental needs of faculty. -
Faculty Professional Improvement Grants
Faculty Professional Improvement Grants will be available to full-time faculty for the pursuit of professional development activities that promote faculty scholarship. These grants may be applied toward the cost of professional enrichment activities, or participating in professional conferences or workshops. Interested faculty members should first discuss the specific activity with their department head or director. Grant applications may be submitted at any time during the year - Ongoing workshops, seminars, colloquy, etc.