I. PURPOSE
The purpose of the Chancellor’s Faculty Fellowship is to ensure that capable people within the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) have opportunities to prepare themselves for top-level management and instructional positions within the VCCS. This can be accomplished by earning two types of doctoral degrees: community college leadership/higher education degrees or discipline-based degrees. To support this goal, the Chancellor's Faculty Fellowship provides up to a one-year leave of absence, with shared financial support for doctoral study at six institutions of higher education: (1) the Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia; (2) the Community College Program Area at Virginia Tech; (3) the National Center for Community College Education at George Mason University; (4) the School of Education at the College of William and Mary; (5)Virginia Commonwealth University; and 6) Old Dominion University. In addition, faculty may apply for a VCCS Chancellor’s Faculty Fellowship to attend regionally accredited universities/colleges that do not provide shared financial support.
II. THE AWARD
The Chancellor's Faculty Fellowship is awarded annually to no more than three outstanding professional educators in the VCCS. The award provides each recipient with:
- a fellowship grant of up to a $12,500 ($12,500 at those universities/colleges that provide shared financial support; $7,500 at colleges/universities that do not provide shared financial support) to cover the cost of attendance, and
- three-quarters salary and up to a one-year leave of absence from VCCS duties with continuation of insurance, retirement, seniority, and other VCCS employee benefits. Chancellor's Faculty Fellows shall engage in full-time graduate study during the period of their award. Full-time graduate study includes the time the candidate is taking course work and/or working on the dissertation.
III. ELIGIBILITY
Full-time teaching, administrative, and professional faculty with unrestricted rank and salary proposals, a minimum of three years of VCCS service, and who are recommended by the president of the employing institution (or by the Chancellor for a System Office faculty member) are eligible for the Chancellor's Faculty Fellowship. Candidates must meet the specific requirements for admission to the doctoral programs of their institutions. Individuals selected as Chancellor's Faculty Fellows shall be required to resume their employment with the VCCS for a period of at least twice the length of their fellowship (up to two years) following the completion of either the leave period or doctoral degree requirements. The recipient shall be expected to sign a Memorandum of Agreement and a Promissory Note, both of which are issued by the System Office.
IV. SELECTION
Selection of each Chancellor's Faculty Fellow is made by a committee comprised of one college president, one vice president or provost, chair of the Chancellor’s Faculty Advisory Council, three members of the VCCS Professional Development Committee, and the Director of Professional Development. Interviews of applicants may be required.
V. FUNDING
Financial support for each Chancellor's Faculty Fellowship, exclusive of maintained benefits, is provided as follows:
a. VCCS financial support of $7,500,
b. Four-year institution’s shared financial support of $5,000 at the six supporting
colleges/universities listed above, and
c. Sponsoring college’s provision of ½ salary for the period of study. VCCS System Office provision of ¼ salary for the proposed period of study. This amounts to a total benefit of ¾ salary to the recipient.
VI. APPLICATION PROCESS
Application for the Chancellor's Fellowship, including letters of endorsement and other supporting materials, must be submitted to the VCCS Director of Professional Development by 5:00 p.m. ET on February 1; the deadline date is the same every year. If the due date falls on a weekend, then the following Monday will serve as the due date. Application forms may be obtained online (see links below) or from the Virginia Community College System Office of Professional Development. Application forms for the institutions of higher education must be obtained from the universities themselves.
All application materials are due to the university of choice (dates may vary depending upon the university).
2. February 1
The completed VCCS application form is due at VCCS office. Send to Ms. Nan Ottenritter, VCCS Director of Professional Development, Virginia Community College System, 101 North Fourteenth Street, 15th Floor, Richmond, VA 23219.
Students having completed course work towards their doctorate should submit a copy of their current transcript along with the materials. Students beginning their program should submit a copy of their acceptance letter into the program.
3. May 1
The university confirms acceptance of the candidate in the program.
The selection committee makes recommendations to the Chancellor.
4. May 15
The Chancellor makes decision on Fellowship Award recipients. Director of Professional Development, Academic Services & Research, notifies recipients.
5. July
The Chancellor's Faculty Fellowship recipients are introduced to the State Board.
6. July (award year) to July (following year)
Leave is to be taken and funds expended during this time.
7. January 1 (award year) to June 1 (following year)
Recipient submits bi-annual reports to the Office of Professional Development.
If due dates fall on a weekend, then the following Monday will serve as the due date.
To see a list of past winners, click here.