The Mid-Career Faculty Experience (MCFE) Program includes a series of workshops grounded in providing faculty members who had recently received tenure and promotion to the rank of Associate Professor, as well as more experienced Associate Professors, with opportunities for conversations/discussions addressing their needs and experiences beyond tenure. Using an equity-centered model for providing mid-career faculty support, each session considers the diversity of faculty experiences, how to support faculty in sustaining their research and scholarship productivity, continuing their professional development, and rank progression.
This Program is comprised of three to four sessions scheduled over the academic year and is a part of the UVM’s comprehensive faculty mentoring program, alongside the First-Year Faculty Experience (FYFE) and Demystifying the RPT (DRPT) Process programs.
For questions or to register for workshop sessions, please contact Jennifer Diaz at Jennifer.Diaz@uvm.edu.
Academic Year 2025-2026
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- Session Four - Friday, April 29, 2026, Noon-1:15 PM
Associate Professors Rank Progression Workshop IV: "The Mid-Career Faculty Experience of Preparation for Tenure and Promotion to Full Professor - All Faculty" (in conjunction with the "Demystifying the RPT Process at UVM" Workshop 5)
Session Description: This workshop is designed to support faculty members as they prepare their green sheets for Promotion Review, including Tenure and Full Professor evaluations. The session will focus on the unique challenges faculty may encounter during this process, including how to effectively respond to feedback from the first and second Reappointment review and strategies for preparing for external reviews and a University-level interdisciplinary committee review. By addressing these specific aspects, the workshop aims to equip faculty with the tools and insights needed to navigate Promotion Review confidently and successfully. It serves as a continuation of the "Demystifying the RPT Process at UVM" Workshop series. Attending the earlier workshops in this series is encouraged, as they provide foundational knowledge that will enhance participants' understanding and benefit from this session.
Presenters:
- TBD
- TBD
Host:
- Jane Okech, Professor of Counselor Education and Supervision; Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
Location: Microsoft Teams - Session Three - Thursday, December 4, 2025, Noon-1:15 PM
Associate Professors Rank Progression Workshop III: "No Gold at the End of the Rainbow: Dealing with Mid-Career Burnout"
Session Description: This workshop is designed to provide mid-career faculty with tools and resources to respond to and avoid burnout at this stage of their academic career. The session will give attention to recent evidence on how faculty report levels of stress and burnout. In addition, the workshop will focus attention on strategies for avoiding and addressing feelings of burnout and dealing with changing expectations as mid-career faculty.
Presenters:
- TBD
- TBD
Host:
- Lisa Holmes, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, College of Arts and Sciences (CAS); Kroepsch-Maurice Provost’s Fellow for Faculty Affairs
Location: Microsoft Teams - Session Two - Wednesday, November 12, 2025, Noon-1:15 PM
Associate Professors Rank Progression Workshop II: "What's Next? Bringing Intention to Your Career"
Session Description: The demands of teaching, service, scholarship, and leadership duties place unique challenges on midcareer faculty. Despite having mastered how to navigate academic systems, they often find themselves in a career “slump,” sometimes wondering what’s next. In this session, learn about the common challenges midcareer faculty face, and how a professional vision can help you focus on the work that matters and work in more sustainable ways.
Presenters:
- TBD
- TBD
Host:
- Lisa Holmes, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, College of Arts and Sciences (CAS); Kroepsch-Maurice Provost’s Fellow for Faculty Affairs
Location: Microsoft Teams - Session One - Wednesday, October 1, 2025, Noon-1:15 PM
Associate Professors Rank Progression Workshop I: "The Journey Beyond Tenure: Conversations on Staying on Track for Promotion to Full Professor"
Session Description: Each faculty member's journey beyond tenure is a unique experience. Many faculty members struggle with maintaining the momentum they had for active scholarship and research as assistant professors as they prioritize other competing interests and concerns. Many faculty members also thrive during this phase of their careers and successfully transition into the full professor rank and beyond. If you are a mid-career faculty who recently got tenure and promotion to the rank of Associate Professor, or if you have been an Associate Professor for a while and you are interested in participating in conversations addressing the experience beyond tenure, including how to sustain your professional development and rank progression, then join us for a series of workshops targeting tenured Associate Professors
Panelists:
- TBD
- TBD
Moderator:
- Jane Okech, Professor of Counselor Education and Supervision; Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
Location: Microsoft Teams
Academic Year 2024-2025
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- Session Three - December 4, 2024, Noon-1:15 PM
Associate Professors Rank Progression Workshop III: "The Mid-Career Faculty Experience of Grant Writing at UVM: Getting Started"
Session Description: This workshop will examine strategies for developing grant applications and funding your research. Presenters will address identifying funding sources and the writing and editing support UVM Research Development provides. The workshop will also address what makes a good Research Impacts Plan – or, more generally, how to enhance the impact of your research through collaborating with community organizations and other partners. The workshop will enable you to learn about systems and structures at UVM to help support your research and faculty support systems to facilitate your success in the post-tenure period.
Panelists:
- Ingrid Barcelo, Grant Proposal Developer, Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR)
- Brady Liss, Grant Proposal Developer - CAS, Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR)
Moderator:
- Lisa Holmes, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, College of Arts and Sciences (CAS); Provost’s Faculty Fellow for Faculty Affairs
Location: Microsoft Teams
(Materials - PDF)
- Session Two - October 30, 2024, Noon-1:15 PM
Associate Professors Rank Progression Workshop II: "Jump Starting Your Research and Scholarship Program"
Session Description: This workshop will focus on presenting ideas and resources targeting mid-career faculty members (Tenured Associate Professors) who want to maintain their research and scholarship activity momentum or those who wish to jump-start their research and scholarship programs.
Panelists:
- Scott Lewins, Grant Proposal Developer - CALS, Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR)
- Jessica "Jessi" Waite, Grant Proposal Developer - RSENR, Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR)
Moderator:
- Lisa Holmes, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, College of Arts and Sciences (CAS); Provost’s Faculty Fellow for Faculty Affairs
Location: Microsoft Teams
(Materials - PDF)
- Session One - September 25, 2024, Noon-1:15 PM
Associate Professors Rank Progression Workshop I: "The Journey Beyond Tenure: Conversations on Staying on Track for Promotion to Full Professor"
Session Description: Each faculty member's journey beyond tenure is a unique experience. Many faculty members struggle with maintaining the momentum they had for active scholarship and research as assistant professors as they prioritize other competing interests and concerns. Many faculty members also thrive during this phase of their careers and successfully transition into the full professor rank and beyond. If you are a mid-career faculty who recently got tenure and promotion to the rank of Associate Professor, or if you have been an Associate Professor for a while and you are interested in participating in conversations addressing the experience beyond tenure, including how to sustain your professional development and rank progression, then join us for a series of workshops targeting tenured Associate Professors
Panelists:
- Mildred Beltré, Professor, School of the Arts Program in Art and Art History, College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)
- James "Jed" Murdoch, Professor and Gund Fellow, Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources (RSENR)
- Christine Proulx, Professor and Chair, Department of Counseling, Human Development and Family Science, College of Education and Social Services (CESS
- Donna Ramirez-Harrington, Professor and Chair, Department of Economics, College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)
- Richard Sicotte, Professor, Department of Economics, College of Arts and Sciences (CAS
Moderator:
- Jane Okech, Professor of Counselor Education and Supervision; Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
Location: Microsoft Teams
Academic Year 2023-2024
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- Session Three - March 6, 2024, Noon-1:30 PM
Associate Professors Rank Progression Workshop III: "The Mid-Career Faculty Experience of Grant Writing at UVM: Getting Started"
Session Description: This workshop will examine strategies for developing grant applications and funding your research. Presenters will address identifying funding sources and the writing and editing support UVM Research Development provides. The workshop will also address what makes a good Research Impacts Plan – or, more generally, how to enhance the impact of your research through collaborating with community organizations and other partners. The workshop will enable you to learn about systems and structures at UVM to help support your research and faculty support systems to facilitate your success in the post-tenure period.
Panelists:
Ingrid Barcelo, Grant Proposal Developer, Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR)
Jeannine Valcour, Grant Proposal Developer - Gund Institute, Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR)
Moderator:
Jane Okech, Professor of Counselor Education & Supervision, and Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
Location: Microsoft Teams
(Materials - PDF)
- Session Two - December 6, 2023, Noon-1:30 PM
Associate Professors Rank Progression Workshop II: "Jump Starting Your Research and Scholarship Program"
Session Description: This workshop will focus on presenting ideas and resources targeting mid-career faculty members (Tenured Associate Professors) who want to maintain their research and scholarship activity momentum or those who wish to jump-start their research and scholarship programs.
Panelists:
Heidi Malaby, Grant Proposal Developer, Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR)
Jessica Waite, Grant Proposal Developer - RSENR, Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR)
Moderator:
Jane Okech, Professor of Counselor Education & Supervision, and Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
Location: Microsoft Teams
(Materials - PDF)
- Session One - October 25, 2023, Noon-1:30 PM
Associate Professors Rank Progression Workshop I: "The Journey Beyond Tenure: Conversations on Staying on Track for Promotion to Full Professor"
Session Description: This workshop offers mid-career faculty tools for their journey beyond tenure. Conversations include staying on track, sustaining professional development, and rank progression.
Panelists:
Yolanda Chen, Professor, Department of Plant and Soil Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) (Promoted 2022)
Kelly Clark/Keefe, Professor, Department of Education, College of Education and Social Services (CESS) (Promoted 2022)
Pablo Bose, Professor, Department of Geography and Geosciences, College or Arts and Sciences (CAS) (Promoted 2022)
Cynthia Reyes, Professor, Department of Education; Associate Dean for Academic and Faculty Affairs, College of Education and Social Services (CESS) (Promoted 2023)
Moderator:
Jane Okech, Professor of Counselor Education & Supervision, and Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
Location: Microsoft Teams
Academic Year 2022-2023
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- Session Three - March 29, 2023, Noon-1:30 PM
"The Mid-Career Faculty Experience of Grant Writing at UVM: Getting Started"
This workshop will focus on a presentation of ideas and resources targeting mid-career faculty members (Tenured Associate Professors) who want to engage in funded research and grant writing activity. The workshop will focus on examining strategies for developing grant applications and funding your research. Presenters will address how you can identify funding sources and the writing and editing support UVM Research Development provides. The workshop will also address what makes a good Research Impacts Plan – or more generally, how to enhance the impact of your research through collaborating with community organizations and other partners. The workshop will enable you to learn about systems and structures at UVM to help support your research, as well as faculty support systems to facilitate your success in the post-tenure period.
Panelists:
Jeralyn Haraldsen, Director or Research Development, Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR)
Ingrid Barcelo, Grant Proposal Developer, Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR)
Julie Macy, Assistant Director, Sponsored Project Administration (SPA)
Location: Microsoft Teams
(Materials - PDF)
- Session Two - February 22, 2023, Noon-1:30 PM
"Jump Starting Your Research and Scholarship Program"
This workshop will focus on a presentation of ideas and resources targeting mid-career faculty members (Tenured Associate Professors) who want to maintain their research and scholarship activity momentum or those who want to jump start their research and scholarship programs. Many faculty members struggle with maintaining the momentum they had for active scholarship and research as assistant professors as they prioritize other competing interests and concerns.
Panelists:
Jeralyn Haraldsen, Director or Research Development, Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR)
Heidi Malaby, Grant Proposal Developer, Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR)
Location: Microsoft Teams
(Materials - PDF)
- Session One - November 2, 2022, Noon-1:30 PM
"The Journey Beyond Tenure: Conversations on Staying on Track for Promotion to Full Professor"
The journey beyond tenure is a unique experience for each faculty member. Many faculty members struggle with maintaining the momentum they had for active scholarship and research as assistant professors as they prioritize other competing interests and concerns. Many faculty members also thrive during this phase of their careers and go on to successfully transition into the full professor rank and beyond.
Panelists:
Yolanda Chen, Professor, Department of Plant & Soil Science, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences (Promoted 2022)
Kelly Clark/Keefe, Associate Professor, Department of Education, College of Education & Social Services (Promotion Candidate)
Paul Deslandes, Professor, Department of History, College of Arts & Sciences (Promoted 2020)
Nikki Khanna, Professor, Department of Sociology, College of Arts & Sciences (Promoted 2022)
Cynthia Reyes, Associate Professor, Department of Education, Associate Dean for Academic & Faculty Affairs (Promotion Candidate)
Location: Microsoft Teams