CTRL Faculty Fellows Program

The Faculty Fellows program is designed to advance CTRL’s mission of promoting and supporting excellence in teaching and scholarship at American University. In doing so, the program recognizes and leverages faculty expertise to lead in the sharing of knowledge, experience, and creativity. Faculty Fellows will work closely with CTRL and relevant campus partners to develop a plan of work and engage in other activities.

Through the program, Faculty Fellows:

  • Contribute to CTRL’s mission and the AU community in various ways (e.g., scholarship, events, programs, resources, services)
  • Build community and partnership with each other and CTRL
  • Advocate for enhancing teaching, research, and learning at AU broadly

The Faculty Fellows program currently includes six tracks, which are described in more detail below: Adjunct Faculty, Artificial Intelligence in Teaching & Research (AITR), AU Core (Core), Greenberg Building Future Faculty (GBFF), Inclusive Pedagogy (IP), and the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning (SoTL). Appointment as Fellow comes with a stipend and support from CTRL and relevant campus partners.

The call for applications occurs every summer (mid-June) with appointments announced in August.

Expectations & Application Process

Being a CTRL Faculty Fellow offers a variety of professional development opportunities and significant support from CTRL and campus partners. During their Fellowship time, Faculty Fellows engage in specific projects and activities based on their Fellowship track (described below) as well as participate in community-oriented meetings and events. All fellowships, besides the adjunct fellowship, are either a year or two year-long commitment, with the majority of the work being completed during the academic year, and minimal work during the summer.

Regardless of their specific area of focus, all Faculty Fellows will:

  • Serve as liaisons between CTRL and their academic unit
  • Review a subset of proposals for the Ann Ferren Conference (Optional for Adjunct Fellow)
  • Participate in optional community-building opportunities bringing together current and past Fellows
  • Contribute to CTRL’s broader mission by attending CTRL events, writing for the CTRL Beat, and/or helping to review and curate CTRL resources.
  • Serve as a Faculty Advisory Committee and meet once or twice per semester with the Assistant Vice Provost of CTRL.
  • Provide feedback during and upon conclusion of the Fellowship to contribute to ongoing enhancement of the CTRL Faculty Fellows program.

Adjunct Faculty Fellows

Description: The Adjunct Faculty Fellow will support adjunct faculty at AU by assessing adjunct faculty needs, providing adjunct faculty with support and mentorship in navigating American University, and supporting the implementation of effective teaching practices to promote student learning. The fellow will serve as a resource for adjunct faculty looking to enhance their teaching and connect with the adjunct community at AU. The Adjunct Faculty Fellow will work closely with CTRL and relevant campus partners to develop a plan of work and engage in other activities in support of CTRL’s mission.

Eligibility: Open to adjunct faculty who are teaching during the semester they hold the fellowship; applicants must have previously taught at least one course as an adjunct at AU.

Stipend & Time Commitment: The Adjunct Faculty Fellowship comes with a stipend of $2,000 per semester and requires a one-semester commitment, beginning the week before the start of the semester. Fellows are also encouraged to meet once with the next semester’s Adjunct Faculty Fellow once they have been selected to hand off any relevant information.

Application Process: Applicants are required to submit a 300- to 500-word statement describing their experience as an adjunct instructor and the activities they would like to pursue as a Faculty Fellow.

CTRL Contact: Dr. Mary Catherine Stoumbos (stoumbos@american.edu)

Current & Past Adjunct Faculty Fellows

Fall 2024
Coco Benitez, CAS | Health Studies

Spring 2024
Erica Bondarev Rapach, Department of Performing Arts

Artificial Intelligence in Teaching & Research Faculty Fellows

Description: The Artificial Intelligence in Teaching and Research Fellow works closely with CTRL and the Office of Academic Integrity to research various aspects of the impact of Generative AI on teaching and research (including how it can be used to facilitate these activities as well as how to approach responsible use of and limitations of GAI); develop resources and lead workshops on related topics; conduct faculty-focused outreach to support work with (and around) generative AI tools; and facilitate networking and collaboration among AU stakeholders on these matters.

Eligibility:  Open to all full-time faculty and requires a one-year commitment

Stipend & Time Commitment: The position comes with a stipend of $4,000 for the year and requires a one-year commitment.

Application Process: Applicants must submit a 500-word statement describing their experience with Generative Artificial Intelligence use and impact on teaching and/or research, and include research, outreach ideas, and projects they want to pursue as an AITR Faculty Fellow.

CTRL Contact: Anna Olsson (aolsson@american.edu)

Current & Past Artificial Intelligence Faculty Fellows

AY 2024 – 2025

Derrick Cogburn,KSB | Information Technology and Analytics and SIS | Environment, Development, and Health

Krisztina Domjan, CAS | Literature

Jennifer Steele, School of Education

AY 2023 – 2024

Krisztina Domjan, Office of Global & Immersive Studies

Publications & Other Works by AITR Fellows

AU Core Faculty Fellows

Description: AU Core Fellows support faculty teaching within the AU Core Curriculum, commonly known as general education. The Fellows will collaborate closely with CTRL and AU Core to develop and provide programming and resources for faculty, aligning with the active and inquiry-based learning principles of the curriculum.

Prospective Fellows are encouraged to propose initiatives focused on, but not limited to:

  • Uplifting and documenting teaching excellence
  • Closing equity gaps in grading
  • Reengaging ourselves and our students post-COVID-19

Please clearly outline how your proposal connects to one or more components of the AU Core curriculum. Additionally, all Fellows will assist with “Connecting Across the Core” programming, which aims to build community and help faculty understand how their courses contribute to the greater whole of the Core.

Eligibility: Open to all full-time faculty, tenure track or term, who have taught in AU Core

Stipend & Time Commitment: The position comes with a stipend of $4,000 for the year and requires a one-year commitment.

Application Process: Applicants must submit a 300- to 500-word statement describing their experience with AU Core and activities they want to pursue as an AU Core Faculty Fellow.

CTRL Contact: Dr. Hannah Jardine (hjardine@american.edu)

Current & Past AU Core Fellows

AY 2024-2025

Kurt Braddock, SOC | Public Communication

Stina Oakes, College of Arts & Sciences

AY 2023 – 2024

Cindy Bair Van Dam, College of Arts & Sciences
Scott Freeman, School of International Service
Kate Wilson, College of Arts & Sciences

AY 2022-2023

Chuck Cox, Department of Literature
Tabitha Kidwell, Department of World Languages and Cultures

AY 2021-2022

Rebecca Hazen, Department of Biology
Heather McDonald, Department of Literature

AY 2020-2021

Jenny Axe, Department of Chemistry
Symphony Bruce, University Library

AY 2019-2021

Terra Gargano, School of International Service
Angela Dadak, Department of Literature

Greenberg Building Future Faculty (GBFF) Faculty Fellows

Description: The work of the Greenberg Building Future Faculty (GBFF) Faculty Fellows is to support the professional development of students participating in the GBFF Program.  The fellows will work collaboratively with CTRL, relevant campus partners, and GBFF students to develop programming that focuses on the academic job market and key information students need to know. Fellows will also review and provide feedback to Greenberg graduate students on their job market materials, such as teaching statements or sample syllabi. We particularly encourage applications from those who have recently experienced the job market and/or have experience on hiring committees.

Eligibility: Open to all full-time faculty, tenure track or term.

Stipend & Time Commitment: The position comes with a stipend of $4,000 per year and requires a two-year commitment. Most of the work for the fellowship will occur during the academic year, with occasional tasks during the summer needed to support GBFF students.

Application Process: Applicants are required to submit a 300- to 500-word statement describing their interest and experience with the academic job market and graduate student mentorship, citing examples and activities that they would like to pursue as a GBFF Faculty Fellow.

CTRL Contact: Dr. Mac Crite (mcrite@american.edu)

Current & Past GBFF Fellows

AY 2024-2025

Maya Livio, School of Communication

Stacie St. Louis, School of Public Affairs

AY 2023 – 2024
Lallen Johnson-Hart, School of Public Affairs
Maya Livio, School of Communication

Inclusive Pedagogy (IP) Faculty Fellows

Description: The Inclusive Pedagogy (IP) Fellows support faculty in exploring the role that diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice play in enhancing teaching environments. The Fellow will work closely with CTRL and relevant campus partners to develop and offer programming and resources for faculty colleagues across AU, teaching in all contexts.

Eligibility: Open to all full-time faculty, tenure track or term.

Stipend & Time Commitment: The position comes with a stipend of $4,000 for the year and requires a two-year commitment.

Application Process: Applicants must submit a 300- to 500-word statement describing their experience and interest in inclusive pedagogy, citing examples and activities they want to pursue as an IP Faculty Fellow.

CTRL Contact: Dr. Shed Siliman (shed@american.edu)

Current & Past IP Fellows

AY 2024-2025

Mariam Durrani, Peace, Human Rights & Cultural Relations (SIS)

Amy Eisman, School of Communication

Adrienne Massanari, School of Communication

AY 2023-2025

Mariam Durrani, Peace, Human Rights & Cultural Relations (SIS)

AY 2022-2024

Tanja Aho, Department of Critical Race, Gender & Culture Studies
Santiago Toledo, Department of Chemistry
Phelton Moss, School of Education

AY 2021-2023

Jane Palmer, Department of Justice, Law & Criminology

AY 2020-2022

Raychelle Burks, Department of Chemistry
TaLisa Carter, Department of Justice, Law & Criminology
Salvador Vidal-Ortiz, Department of Sociology

AY 2019-2021
Amaarah DeCuir, School of Education
Krisztina Domjan, School of Professional & Extended Studies

Scholarship of Teaching & Learning (SoTL) Faculty Fellows

Description: The work of the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning (SoTL) Faculty Fellows is to further the study of factors that impact student learning. Each SoTL Fellow will develop a scholarly research project on an aspect of their own teaching that they are interested in investigating and serve as a resource for colleagues interested in SoTL. We especially encourage application from those interested in artificial intelligence and its impact on the classroom, as well as broad access in higher education. Additional information about SoTL can be found on the CTRL SoTL Resources page, and in this recent recording of a panel workshop of past SoTL fellows. Each SoTL Fellow will work closely with CTRL and other relevant campus partners, such as the library, to develop and carry out their scholarly project.

Eligibility: Open only to full-time, term faculty.

Stipend & Time Commitment: The SoTL Fellow appointment is supported in part by the Milton and Sonia Greenberg fund and comes with a stipend of $4,000 per year for two years and up to $2,000 for research materials or faculty development use, such as conference or publication fees.

Application Process: Applicants will be required to submit a 500-word research proposal that responds to the following prompts:

  • What motivated you to complete a SoTL project?
  • What research topic or question would you like to investigate as a SoTL project?
  • Briefly describe your rationale for choosing this topic or question.
  • What impact on student learning might your investigation yield?

CTRL Contact: Dr. Mac Crite (mcrite@american.edu)

Current & Past SoTL Fellows

AY 2024-2026

Chelsea Horne, College of Arts and Sciences

James Quirk, School of Public Affairs

Evan Reister, College of Arts and Sciences

Shirin Sabetghadam, School of Public Affairs

AY 2023-2025
James Quirk, School of Public Affairs
Shirin Sabetghadam, School of Public Affairs

AY 2022-2024

Edward Helfers, Department of Literature
Andrew Wasserman, Department of Art

AY 2021-2023

Michele Lansigan, Department of Chemistry
Alison Chrisler, Department of Health Studies

AY 2020-2022

Amanda Choutka, Department of Literature
Adam Tamashasky, Department of Literature
Amy Trietiak, Department of Health Studies

AY 2019-2021

Shoaleh Dehghan, Department of Chemistry
Jesse Meiller, Department of Environmental Science
Jeremiah Patterson, School of Communication

Publications & Other Works by SoTL Fellows

Retired Faculty Fellowships

Teaching & Scholarship

Teaching & Scholarship (TS) Faculty Fellow

We are not accepting new applications at this time.

Description: The purpose of the TS Fellowship was to address an emerging issue in teaching or scholarship that has the potential to benefit a broad range of faculty from across the campus. Fellows developed actionable insights using best practices or evidence-based approaches and served as a resource for colleagues.

Past T&S Fellows (activity focus)

AY 2022-2023

Chuck Sturtevant, Department of Anthropology
Lynn Addington, Department of Justice, Law & Criminology
Katharine Manning, Department of Justice, Law & Criminology

AY 2021-2022

Luis Cerezo Ceballos, Department of World Languages and Cultures
Katharine Manning, Department of Justice, Law & Criminology

AY 2018-2019

Betsy Cohn, School of International Service (Faculty Mentoring)
Sarah Irvine Belson, School of Education (Collaborative Research)
Caroline Bruckner, Kogod School of Business (AU Centers Network)
Larry Engel, School of Communication (Media in the Classroom and Scholarship)
Max Paul Friedman, College of Arts & Sciences (Greenberg Seminar)
Patrick Jackson, School of International Service (Teaching Critical Thinking)
Brigid Maher, School of Communication (Greenberg Seminar)
Gwendolyn Reece, University Library (Teaching Critical Thinking)
Lara Schwartz, School of Public Affairs (Inclusive Pedagogy)