Preparing Future Faculty Program
The UC PFF program provides instruction in modern teaching and learning and offers rich mentoring experiences that strengthen these career skills. Established in 1993, the UC PFF program was one of the founding group of national PFF programs. Active participation in a PFF program is widely recognized.
PFF is changing with the times!
UC's PFF program transitioned from a certificate program to a participatory professional development program, housed within the Graduate College. Students must have matriculated in to PFF prior to the fall 2019 application deadline to adhere to previous program requirements, found under the Legacy Program page.
All other prospective students can complete an updated application to join the current, participatory version of the PFF program.
Is the PFF Program Valuable?
According to several studies, the PFF program provides much-needed pedagogical skills to PhD candidates, giving them an edge over candidates who do not earn PFF certificates.
These studies show that:
- PFF prepares graduate students for academic careers at postsecondary institutions;
- it helps graduate students conduct productive job searches and achieve early career success; and
- the program provides professional development that does not extend time-to-degree.
Elements of PFF Participation
- Reading Groups: Join a multi-disciplinary group of your peers to discuss teaching-related issues.
- Workshops: Participate in workshops across campus, hosted by various organizations, in order to gain effective teaching skills, explore pedagogical methods, and more.
- Coffee Hours: Networking opportunity to talk and connect with UC faculty who were former PFF participants.
- Courses: Register for PFF courses to better support your abilities as a teacher and to effectively navigate the academic job search. The three semester-credit Teaching Effectiveness course is offered each fall (PD8041). The three semester-credit The Professoriate course is offered each spring (EDLD8093).
Summary of PFF Tiers
Find more information on the PFF Participations Tier page.
Bronze Tier: Completes 15 activity points, including the following required activities:
- Participate in one PFF reading group
- Attend one PFF-approved workshop
- Attend one PFF coffee hour
Silver Tier: Completes 60 activity points, including the following required activities:
- Complete the PFF Bronze tier
- Lead or co-lead one PFF reading group
- Attend two of the following opportunities in any combination: reading groups, workshops, panels, coffee hours
Gold Tier: Completes 60 activity points, including the following required activities:
- Completes the PFF Silver tier
- Lead or co-lead one PFF reading group (two groups cumulatively)
- Attend two of the following opportunities in any combination: reading group, workshops, panels, coffee hours
- Pass one of the PFF courses, Teaching Effectives or The Professoriate
PFF Program Manual and Checklist
The updated program manual and supporting documents are currently under review and will be coming soon!
Students matriculated prior to the fall 2019 application deadline can find the previous program manual and program elements on the Legacy Program page or by contacting the program coordinator at gradpff@uc.edu.
Get PFF News and Updates
To get news and updates for the Preparing Future Faculty program, email gradpff@uc.edu to be added to the Outlook group and Canvas page.
Questions?
Contact the PFF program coordinator, Jenna Skeens:
310 Van Wormer Hall
513-556-4335
gradpff@uc.edu
Office Hours, Spring 2025
Virtual and in-person office hours are available upon appointment.