Nine graduate students and one postdoctoral researcher from the University of Arkansas were selected to attend the inaugural SEC Emerging Scholars Career Preparation Workshop. The virtual event was hosted Sept. 29-30 by Louisiana State University.  

The Career Preparation Workshop was designed to provide professional development and networking opportunities for current doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows, particularly top scholars from historically underrepresented groups. The workshop is a key component of a broader Emerging Scholars Program for Future Faculty established by the SEC Provosts.

"Nurturing the career development of these top doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers helps create a pool of diverse and talented faculty members," said Kathryn Sloan, vice provost for faculty affairs. "The University of Arkansas benefits by partnering with our colleagues in the Southeastern Conference on this important endeavor."

The workshop included small-group discussions, presentations on topics such as teaching portfolio development, and opportunities to meet with SEC university representatives to learn about each university and its faculty positions. The objective is to retain outstanding candidates within the SEC by providing mentorship and encouraging students and postdocs to seek out employment at conference schools. The SEC anticipates making this an annual event.

Participants were required to submit a curriculum vitae and prepare a three-minute research elevator pitch along with a one-page teaching statement and a one-page diversity statement for use during the workshop.

Participants and their academic programs are:

• Justin Reed DeMoulpied, chemistry

• Ann Riley-Adams, English

• Anthony Holdier, philosophy and public policy

• Stefanie McKoy, curriculum and instruction

• Emory Gregory, biomedical engineering

• Amanda Walls, biomedical engineering

• Kaitlyn Fitzgerald, environmental dynamics

• Alexandria Peterson, environmental dynamics

• Eric Neuyou, economics

• Elahe Tajfar, postdoc, biological and agricultural engineering

Two U of A faculty members, Raj Rao, professor and head of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, and Paul Adams, professor of biochemistry, served as moderators and presenters during the conference. Other UA personnel including professors and associate deans staffed virtual university rooms to answer questions from the scholars.

"It is important that we provide this type of opportunity for our students to develop the necessary skills for applying for faculty positions and successfully navigating the first steps in their professional careers," said Patricia Koski, dean of the Graduate School and International Education. "The SEC Emerging Scholars program is a collaborative effort to prepare our top doctoral and post-doctoral students who are interested in careers as faculty members."

The Provosts of the SEC institutions are sponsors of the SEC Academic Leadership Development Program, the SEC Faculty Achievement Awards, and the SEC Faculty Travel Program, among other Conference activities. Since 2011, the SEC has supported the teaching, research, and service mission of its members through these and other programs.