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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. 

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

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? CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Program FAQ's

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TO BE A FACULTY FELLOW?
Administrative, salary-exempt faculty and staff are eligible to participate in the Faculty Fellows Program. 
WHEN DOES MY APPOINTMENT OFFICIALLY BEGIN?
Appointments begin on a rolling basis, with a typical appointment from August to May of each academic year. 
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. 
MAY I BRING MY FAMILY TO EAT WITH ME IN THE DINING HALLS?
Yes, when Protect Purdue guidelines allow outside guests to dine in the dining courts, you may bring your family with you. 
HOW MAY I CONTACT THE RESIDENT ASSISTANT (RA) ON MY FLOOR? WHO SHOULD INITIATE CONTACT?
Either person can initiate contact, but we provide staff contact information and Resident Assistants are asked to contact the Faculty Fellow. 
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. 
DO I HAVE A BUDGET FOR PROGRAMMING?
We do not provide a separate Faculty Fellow Program budget; however, funds are available by working with the Resident Assistant (RA) and Residence Education Coordinator (REC) staff and through the Hall Club. 
WHO DO I CONTACT IF MY RA AND I ARE UNABLE TO COMMUNICATE ON A SATISFACTORY BASIS?
You should contact the Residence Education Coordinator (REC). 
MAY I DRIVE STUDENTS IN MY CAR?
While this is a personal choice, each Faculty Fellow should weigh the potential personal liability of driving a student in his/her personal vehicle. It is recommended that you arrange transportation through Purdue University. 
WHAT DO I DO IF STUDENTS DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN MY PROGRAM?
Programming is always a challenge. Your Resident Assistant (RA) and Residence Education Coordinator (REC) will be able to provide you with information on successful programming ideas, as well as steps to take to improve or increase the attendance. 
ARE FACULTY FELLOWS RESPONSIBLE FOR UPHOLDING RESIDENCE HALL POLICIES?
No, but they must abide by them and report inappropriate behavior to the Residential Life Staff.