Provost Fellows Program

The Provost Fellows Program provides academic leadership experience in key campus administrative roles for distinguished faculty at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Program Description

The Provost Fellows Program is designed to develop leadership skills at the campus level for some of our most accomplished tenured faculty.  Fellows participate in a range of mentoring and learning opportunities, collaborate with colleagues in the Provost's and Chancellor's Offices and in other academic and administrative offices across campus, and assume leadership roles on critical campus strategic initiatives and projects, designed in conjunction with fellows' individual interests and longer-range career goals.

As part of the program, Fellows will become familiar with campus wide academic initiatives, strategic planning, budget issues, and challenges in higher education.  In addition, Fellows will make direct contributions to the Provost’s Office and/or Chancellor’s Office by taking on special projects and assisting in more routine activities.  The goal of the program is to provide exceptional faculty members with a more expansive range of leadership experiences at the campus level.  As part of this experience, Fellows will participate in a range of learning opportunities, including serving as a member of the Provost’s Cabinet.  In addition, each fellow works with a primary mentor in the Provost’s Office. 

Appointments

Fellows will have 50% FTE appointments in leadership roles in the Provost's Office, maintaining 50% appointments in their home units during this time. The Provost’s Office will work with each Fellow’s home academic unit to provide teaching release during the appointment.  The typical term for the appointment is two years, although an extension is possible if warranted.  Fellows are provided some funding to continue their involvement during the summer.  Fellows also will be provided a modest discretionary travel and/or training budget. These resources can be used to fund activities on campus, to learn about organizational and leadership structures and processes at other institutions of higher education, to participate in formal training opportunities, and to attend relevant conferences in higher education. 

Qualifications

Applicants must be tenured faculty members.  Prior leadership experience is preferred but not required.