HOWARD/NORTHWESTERN EXCHANGE
NEW PFF partners

The Graduate Schools of Northwestern University and Howard University announce the launching of an innovative exchange program to enhance diversity of future faculty and the quality of their development.  This program was designed following meetings in the spring of 2002 among Deans Orlando Taylor of Howard University and Richard Morimoto of Northwestern University, along with faculty members, administrators, and several graduate students from both universities and is modeled on the successful Preparing Future Faculty Program.  Following is a description of the program and the roles of faculty and advisers.

Goals
The goals of the Howard/Northwestern Exchange are
* To allow graduate students who are interested in academic careers to teach or do research at a host institution. 
*To enhance faculty diversity in higher education and the quality of graduate and undergraduate education.
 * To enhance diversity and cultural understanding in collegial and institutional relationships.

Procedure
Graduate students who have demonstrated excellence in their fields of study, who are interested in obtaining academic positions, and who have completed all requirements for candidacy may apply to participate in the Exchange. Students will submit a biographical description and statement of their intellectual interest. Advisors will write a letter of support and develop a detailed plan for the student' s work prior to going to the host institution. An interview at the host school may be required.
 Representatives of each institution will determine areas of appropriate placement. After a review of the students' credentials by the host department or faculty, the selected students will be matched with mentors at the host schools. While there, the students' advisor, home department, host mentor, and host department will carefully coordinate the experience.
 
Each Howard/Northwestern Exchange participant will:
• Spend a semester/quarter or two sequential semesters/quarters at the host school
• Teach one course per semester/quarter and/or conduct research
• Shadow a full time faculty member to become acquainted with the responsibilities of teaching at the institution, including attending faculty meetings, advising, etc.
• Meet the professional standards and duties of a faculty member as stated in the host school's documents.
• Make steady progress as defined by the home advisor toward completion of the dissertation.
• Meet regularly (at least once a week) with host mentor
• Receive a Certificate of Completion.

The host school will provide:
• Housing
• A PFF-aware local mentor for each of the professional responsibilities of the Fellow
The host school will provide (continued):

• Formal evaluation of the Fellow's teaching.
• Work space access to a computer, printer, library and other facilities.
• Access to professional development workshops when offered
• Certificate of Completion

The home schools will provide:
• Graduate Assistantship (equivalent to regular support from the department);
• Research Travel support (equivalent to one round trip ticket to and from the home school not to exceed $300). [Needs clarification. Does this mean relocation only or relocation plus one trip home?]).

All Howard/Northwestern Exchange participants are required to have health insurance.

History of PFF
Since 1993, Northwestern's Preparing Future Faculty  (PFF) program has prepared NU graduate students to become high achieving faculty members in a variety of higher education environments. Over 125 graduate students have successfully completed the year-long program of on-campus colloquia and mentoring at partner institutions. [http://www.northwestern.edu/graduate/PFF/]
Howard University has participated in PFF since August 1994 as part of a nationwide initiative to encourage research universities to enhance the preparation of graduate students for careers in the professoriate. The Council of Graduate Schools and the Association of American Colleges and Universities organized the initial program with funds provided by The Pew Charitable Trusts. [http://www.founders.howard.edu/gsas/pff/default.htm]

About the institutions
Howard University, located in Washington DC, is one of the nation's preeminent comprehensive centers for higher education.  A private institution, the original mission of Howard University was to educate people of color. At present, the Carnegie Foundation has recognized Howard for the Advancement of Teaching as the only historically and predominantly black university designated as a Doctoral Research University-Extensive. Howard attracts students of all races and from all areas of the world.
Northwestern University is one of the country's leading private research universities. Northwestern combines innovative teaching and pioneering research in an highly collaborative environment. Northwestern University provides students and faculty exceptional opportunities for intellectual, personal, and professional growth in a setting enhanced by the richness of Chicago.

Faculty and Department Chairpersons: Your Role
Inform other faculty about the Howard/NU Exchange.
Explore options for graduate teaching and mentoring within your department.
Inform advanced graduate students who might be interested in participating in the Exchange.

Anticipated outcomes related to placement, participant perception and satisfaction, and institutional faculty and student collaboration will be assessed for both formative and summative purposes.