College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

The MSU colleges of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) and Natural Science in collaboration with the National Society of Minorities in Agriculture and Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) and Tuskegee University are offering the inaugural Advancement, Cultivation and Training (ACT) Future Faculty Program scheduled virtually for Nov. 6-8, 2020.

Program Overview

This intensive two-day virtual event is for doctoral candidates and post-doctoral scholars interested in academic careers at land-grant universities.

Participants will hear presentations and have candid discussions with department heads, deans and early-career faculty members about life in academia. As part of the experience, participants will virtually tour research facilities, meet with current faculty to gain a greater awareness of research and teaching opportunities, and discuss their career prospects and academic work.

Day 1: Friday, Nov. 6

6 - 6:30 p.m.: Welcome & Opening Remarks

• Quentin Tyler, Associate Dean and Director for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, MSU CANR
• Ronald Hendrick, Dean, MSU CANR

6:30 p.m.: Informal Networking Reception

• Hosted by CANR DEI communities

Day 2: Saturday, Nov. 7

9 - 10 a.m.: Keynote Session

• Antoine J. Alston, Professor and Associate Dean of Academic Studies, School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, North Carolina A&T State University

10:15 - 11:15 a.m.: Preparing for and Completing the Academic Interview

• N. Suzanne Lang, Interim Vice Provost for Academic Human Resources, MSU

11:15 - 11:30 a.m.: Networking Event

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.: Seeking Funding and Routes to Take for Research Proposal Ideas

• Angela Wilson, Associate Dean, College of Natural Science, MSU

12:45 - 1:30 p.m.: Meet and Greet with CANR Department Heads and Faculty

1:30 - 2:30 p.m.: Success Strategies for Faculty: Bring Your Authentic Self to Work

• Jade Mitchell, Associate Professor, MSU Department of Biosytems and Agricultural Engineering

2:30 p.m.: Closing Remarks

• Quentin Tyler, Associate Dean and Director for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, MSU CANR

Day 3: Sunday, Nov. 8

9 -11 a.m.: Keynote Panel: Mentoring and Strategies for Getting your Early Career Moving Forward and Closing Remarks

• Asia Dowtin, Assistant Professor, MSU Department of Forestry
• Eunice Foster, Professor, MSU Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences
• Maria Rubino, Professor, MSU School of Packaging
• Juan Steibel, Associate Professor, MSU Department of Fisheries and Wildlife
• Dave Weatherspoon, Professor, MSU Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics
• Lorraine Weatherspoon, Professor and Director of Didactic Program in Dietetics, MSU Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition

11 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Virtual Campus Tour (optional)

ACT Future Faculty Objectives

The ACT Future Faculty program objectives include Enhancing Michigan State University and Tuskegee University’s faculty pipeline by establishing and developing significant, meaningful relationships with prospective faculty members, especially those from groups underrepresented in the professoriate, such as minorities and women.

The program also aims to:

• Provide the opportunity for participants to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and rewards of faculty careers.
• Support professional development of future faculty members and networking opportunities provided by MANRRS and other organizations.
• Develop a network of emerging scholars in priority research areas who could be candidates for future vacancies at Michigan State University and Tuskegee University.