Future Faculty Fellows

The Future Faculty Fellows program runs parallel to the calendar year, with a new cohort being selected each fall. The program typically consists of the following events & opportunities:

• January Kickoff Retreat
  • This 2-day retreat is typically held during the week before Spring classes begin. It is an opportunity to get to know the cohort and the program, and to kick-start the experience.
• Cohort Meetings
  • 3FPs meet every other week during the Spring and Fall semesters, typically focused on professional and teaching development topics, or engagement with faculty panels.
• Teaching Portfolio Development
  • During the Spring semester, 3FPs are invited to engage in one-on-one consultations with CTL experts, as they curate and develop their teaching statements and teaching portfolios.
• Individual Teaching Project
  • Each 3FP is invited to develop a small teaching-related project intended to have impact on others at UGA.
• Feedback on Teaching
  • 3FPs who are teaching during their time as a 3FP will be given priority access to our Mid-Semester Formative Evaluation (MSFE) service.
• Peer Leadership (TA Cafés, TA Orientation, Spring Teaching Celebration, and MSFEs)
  • 3FPs contribute by developing and facilitating our TA Cafés and supporting the execution of our Spring Teaching Celebration and Fall TA Orientation. 3FPs are also invited to train as MSFE facilitators.
• Spring Retreat
  • This retreat is typically held in the break between the Spring semester and the start of Maymester. It is a great mid-year opportunity for Fellows to reflect on what they have learned, have some fun together, and engage in additional professional development activities.
• Fall Kickoff Retreat
  • This two-day event is held shortly before Fall classes begin. It is an opportunity to come back together after the summer break, and to prepare for Fall TA Orientation.

Each cohort of 3FPs is selected through an application process consisting of an individual application, a faculty endorsement, and a finalist interview. The call for applications typically comes out in mid-September, with cohort selection coming to a close by early November.

2026 Program Dates include the following:

Applications for the 2026 program are due by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, October 13, 2025, and interviews will take place the week of November 3-7, 2025. Final decisions will be communicated on or before Monday, November 24, 2025. Start your application today!

• January Kickoff Retreat: Thursday & Friday, January 8 & 9, 2026
• Cohort Meetings: Fridays, 10:30 a.m. – 12 noon (Spring and Fall semesters, bi-weekly)
• Spring GradTeach Celebration: Tuesday, April 14, 2026
• Spring Retreat: Monday & Tuesday, May 11 & 12, 2026
• Fall Retreat: TBD (always prior to the start of classes)
• Fall TA Orientation Welcome Event: TBD (usually one day prior to the start of classes)

To apply you will need the following:

• Name & contact for a faculty reference (who can speak to your engagement in teaching-related activities at UGA).
• Statement of Interest (see application form for more information).
• Teaching-related CV (see application form for more information).
• Availability for this year’s key program dates (see above).

This program is open to full-time UGA graduate students enrolled in terminal degree programs (i.e., doctoral programs, or master’s programs for those disciplines for which a doctorate is not typical). Fellows must be full-time students for the duration of the program, and may only participate in the program once. In addition, applicants will be asked to verify that they have met the requirements of UGA’s TA Policy. They should have a track record of engagement in significant teaching responsibilities for at least three semesters at UGA (prior to and including the semester of application).

Applications will be evaluated on the basis of their demonstrated dedication and innovation in teaching, and their commitment to providing teaching-related leadership among their peers.

Priority will be given to applicants who are within two years of expected degree completion.

2024 Future Faculty Fellows

• Aman Bekmagambetov, International Affairs
• Abigail Cormier, Economics
• Jackson Davis, Counseling and Human Development Services
• Meg Fletcher, Linguistics
• Shuang Fu, Language and Literacy Education
• Morgane Golan, Regenerative Bioscience Center
• Stephanie Hanus-Knapp, Sociology
• Christina Noelle Lee, Anthropology
• Lyndsay Loomer, Marketing
• Stephan Loveless, Geology
• Taylor Medlock-Lanier, Cellular Biology
• Ruth L. Myers, English
• Peter Nennig, Philosophy
• Eliot Westdorp, Romance Languages
• Wenqing Zhao, Department of Advertising and Public Relations

2023 Future Faculty Fellows

• Samantha Day, Genetics
• Gregory Ellison, Statistics
• Matt Farmer, Communication Studies
• María González-Ferrer, Romance Languages
• Tara Kraft-Ainsworth, Art History
• Christina Leckfor, Psychology
• Rebekah Maynard, Horticulture
• Josh McMains, Psychology
• Jeongah Shin, Textiles, Merchandising and Interiors
• Joe Spearing, Economics
• Benjamin J. Starr, Religion
• Emma Kate Thome, Communication Sciences & Disorders
• Justine Valadez, Plant Biology
• Yixuan Wang, Language and Literacy Education
• Christina Wood, English

2022 Future Faculty Fellows

• Jasmine Badiee, Engineering
• Vera Maria Bulla, Romance Languages
• Hiu Ching Jupiter Cheng, Geology
• Derek Denney, Plant Biology
• Savannah Greer Downing, Communication Studies
• Savannah Jensen, English
• Maureen Lehto Brewster, Textiles, Merchandising and Interiors
• Alexina Pilo, Counseling and Human Development Services
• Rachel Ramey, Marketing
• Tes Reilly, Psychology
• Jennifer H. Roberts, Comparative Biomedical Sciences
• Anuja Sarda, Educational Theory and Practice
• Kali Thompson, Educational Theory and Practice
• Lauren Vaccaro, Poultry Science
• William Terrell Wright, Language & Literacy Education

Questions? Please contact [email protected].