Faculty Fellows

Welcome to the Purdue University Faculty Fellow Program. The Faculty Fellow Program takes an inspired approach to  facilitate informal interaction between students living in University Residences and Purdue faculty  and staff outside of the classroom. The Faculty Fellow Program is administered by University Residences (UR) at Purdue. Although the program holds its true impact at the individual, hall and floor levels, University Residences also serves as a coordinating unit to ensure that the program is always doing its best to promote the developmental goals of the student and Purdue University. Please feel free to email us with any comments, questions, concerns, or suggestions you may have. We hope you will consider this opportunity to become more involved with Purdue students.

Mission

Engage faculty, staff, and residential students in meaningful and thought-provoking relationships.

Overall Objective

The Faculty Fellow Program promotes a personalized experience for students by association with faculty and staff on an informal basis outside the classroom and office. The program offsets the degree of depersonalization, which is inherent in any institution, satisfies the needs of students for individual time and attention, and promotes student awareness of the opportunity for intellectual, social, cultural, and personal growth.

Why Participate in the Faculty Fellow Program?

By participating in the Faculty Fellow program, you are able to directly contribute to student success. Student-faculty interaction positively contributes to academic attainment in terms of GPA, degree attainment, retention and enrollment in graduate/professional school, general cognitive development, job skills and future occupational status, according to Ernest Pascarella’s and Patrick Terenzini’s 2005 publication, How College Affects Students: A Third Decade of Research. The Faculty Fellow program at Purdue provides the opportunity for student-faculty interactions that are vital to student development and mentoring relationships.

Program Goals

Students will:

Engage in opportunities for learning outside of the classroom through dialogue with faculty and staff.
Strengthen support networks by establishing positive relationships with faculty and staff.

Testimonials

This is what some of our Faculty Fellows are saying about their experience with the program.

“When I accepted the invitation to be a Faculty Fellow at Wiley some thirty years ago, I was uncertain if I possessed the skills necessary to meet the expectations set forth. I knew then - as I know now - that I liked being around students and the idea of being able to interact with them outside of the classroom was attractive. Throughout the years I have enjoyed floor dinners and the conversations I’ve had about sports, convocations, study habits, homes and families, academic integrity and just about anything else you can imagine. I have enjoyed presenting and participating in programs focusing on gender communication (a course I teach), social justice, study abroad, resume writing, interviewing and professional growth and development. Some of the friendships established years ago still continue. I am a better professor because of what I have learned from the residents I have been privileged to know, being a Faculty Fellow is an honor.”

Ralph Webb
Professor, Brian Lamb School of Communication

"I've really enjoyed my time with the women of Shreve 3E. We have some fun, and sometimes serious, conversations, over floor dinner. I've been able to share some of my favorite films with them during Movie Nights, and we went to hear Margot Lee Shetterly speak about her book, Hidden Figures, which was frankly one of the best talks ever to occur at Purdue. I love this opportunity to interact and bond with students outside of my classroom or office."

Jessica L. Sturm, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, French and Applied Linguistics

"Carol and I have truly enjoyed being FF (Faculty Fellows) for 33 (we think) years. Our children ate with our floors, lived in the residence halls, and graduated from Purdue. One daughter received her BS (2), MS, and PhD from Purdue. She also worked as an RA while at Purdue. Our grandchildren living with us also were raised eating and interacting with residence hall students. Currently they are freshmen and sophomores at Purdue. The association with students and feeling just a tiny bit responsible for their success has been a significant part of our Purdue life. We have been a part of marriages, child birth, and careers.  It has been a good time.
Go Boilers!"

Michael J. Grant
Assistant Professor, School of Aeronautics and Astronautics

Get Involved!

Are you an administrative salary-exempt faculty or staff member (non-hourly) interested in learning more about the Faculty Fellow Program? Review the information below. Applications are currently closed for the Fall 2024 semester. In October, return to this page and you'll find the application to join our Faculty Fellow team in Spring 2025.

Program FAQ's

WHO CAN BE A FACULTY FELLOW?

Administrative, salary-exempt faculty and staff are eligible to participate in the Faculty Fellows Program. Full-time Purdue graduate students are not eligible.

WHAT WILL BE EXPECTED OF ME AS A FACULTY FELLOW?

Due to the varying availability of Faculty Fellows, your expectations are on a spectrum. You are able to do any and all of the following: you could attend floor dinners, hall events and help with move-in; you could take students to locations off-campus, bring your family, friends and/or pets with you to events, and host your own workshops in the halls.

WHEN DOES MY APPOINTMENT OFFICIALLY BEGIN?

Appointments begin on a rolling basis, with a typical appointment from August to May of each academic year. See the application for more information.

HOW OFTEN WILL I INTERACT WITH STUDENTS? WITH MY RA?

Our expectation is that you and your RA are meeting at least once a month. Some faculty fellows meet with their RA more than that, though. We believe that this consistent communication will facilitate a solid relationship between you and your RA which will enhance your work with the students. In regards to meeting with the students, our expectation is that your creating a presence through consistent participation in floor, hall and neighborhood events on a monthly basis.

WHY DO FACULTY FELLOWS HAVE A MEAL PLAN?

Fellows are given a limited number of meals for use each week in order to dine with students, connecting with them outside of the classroom.

WILL I HAVE IDENTIFICATION AS A FACULTY FELLOW SO I MAY ENTER A HALL?

We do not provide ID, but a list is on file in each hall. You will be provided a name tag to wear in the hall.

WHAT IS THE DATE OF MOVE-IN FOR MY HALL?

Typically, one week prior to the opening for the academic year.

WHAT KIND OF SUPPORT WILL I HAVE IN THIS ROLE?

You will have a trio of support in your RA, your REC and your Senior Faculty Fellow. Those three people will be the front lines for all your questions and needs in this role. Additionally, the other Faculty Fellows in the building will come alongside of you in this role to partner on events or give you advice from their years in this role. Finally, the RAI office will support you through trainings, developmental opportunities and recognition of your hard work in this role.

DO I HAVE A BUDGET FOR PROGRAMMING?

Funds are available by working with the Resident Assistant (RA) and Residence Education Coordinator (REC) staff and through the Hall Club.