Equity and Excellence in Education Provost Fellowship

Apply Now

A Community of Practice for STEM Instructors

The Equity and Excellence in Education (E3) Provost Fellowship is a professional community of practice award for UAlbany STEM instructors, designed to enhance instructional practices and improve teaching and learning experiences for both instructors and students.  

The E3 Provost Fellowship will:

  • Foster collaborative exploration of inclusive teaching
  • Provide multiple avenues of teaching support
  • Focus on the practical work associated with teaching at a diverse, research-intensive University

Through participation in the fellowship, instructors will:  

  • Examine collective and individual conceptions of inclusive teaching and learning, as well as their impact on student learning and classroom culture
  • Use research-based practices in classroom instruction and course design
  • Engage in routine and systematic reflection based on student work and feedback
  • Build a community of colleagues supporting effective and equitable teaching
  • Incorporate practices that have been shown to improve outcomes for all students, including but not limited to increases in graduation rates, retention within STEM majors and an increase in a sense of belonging 
     
Fellowship Sponsors, Partners & Research
Fellowship Sponsors, Partners & Research

The E3 Provost Fellowship is sponsored by the Office of the Provost and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) EXCELlence in STEM grant. 

The fellowship is based, in part, on research and materials from the Student Experience Project (SEP). 

SEP is a collaborative of university leaders, faculty, researchers and national education organizations committed to innovative, research-based practices to increase degree attainment by building equitable learning environments and fostering a sense of belonging on campus.  

The SEP collaboration includes the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU) and Coalition of Urban Serving Universities (USU).

The E3 Provost Fellowship includes partners from across UAlbany’s campus:

  • Office of the Provost
  • Division of Inclusive Excellence
  • Office of Academic Innovation and Student Success (OAISS)
  • Center for the Advancement of Teaching, Learning, and Online Education (CATLOE)
  • School of Education
2024 Equity and Excellence in Education Provost Fellows
2024 Equity and Excellence in Education Provost Fellows
2025 Equity and Excellence in Education Provost Fellows
2025 Equity and Excellence in Education Provost Fellows
Learn More About the Program
Explore the Program's Benefits
Apply for the Fellowship

What are fellows saying about the program?

“This fellowship has been the most enriching professional development opportunity I have ever participated in while at UAlbany. I loved learning and discussing pedagogical strategies supported by evidence-based research.

Our discussions and meetings always felt like a safe space to explore new ideas, ask questions and challenge ourselves to grow.”

— Sujata Murty, Atmospheric & Environmental Sciences 

“E3 did many things for me. One, it made me think critically about my teaching, what is going right and wrong and what I can do about it. Two, it gave me a lot of evidence-backed research on what works and what doesn't that I could draw from to improve my course.

Three, it made me think hard about some of those students who might disappear quietly and how I can serve them better. Finally, it gave me a cohort of colleagues who I know by name, respect and can work with on teaching materials without fear or embarrassment."

— Michael Phipps, Computer Science

“I've taught for 10 years and this fellowship really invigorated me. I learned new strategies to enhance student learning and students responded very positively to these strategies!

I also found the development of a teaching-focused community that spanned across the University campus to be extremely helpful and supportive.”

– Aubrey Hillman, Atmospheric & Environmental Sciences

“Whether you’re an experienced instructor or newer to teaching, the E3 fellowship will provide you the opportunity to learn new things, apply research-backed instructional methods and share ideas with colleagues from across the University.

The “learn by experience” structure is stimulating, and the opportunity to apply the learning almost immediately is motivating.”

– Tara Yasenchak, Educational Opportunity Program

“The E3 Fellowship experience was an eye-opening experience for me. It not only provided an opportunity to learn about the unique characteristics and challenges of the current generation of students but also emphasized the profound impact that small, intentional changes can have on student learning and classroom engagement.

Ultimately, the E3 Fellowship has deepened my commitment to student-centered teaching, and it has reinforced the importance of being open to growth and change in the classroom. It has been an inspiring journey that helped me realize the value of intentional, reflective teaching practices in supporting student success.

I am looking forward to expanding the student-centered teaching approaches in my classroom, and I am glad to have a cohort of amazing E3 fellows and instructors to discuss my ideas with."

– Gabriele Fuchs, Biology


 

Program Overview

 

Core Fellowship Experience

The E3 Provost Fellowship is designed as a community award to cultivate relationships among STEM instructors at UAlbany. 

The fellowship spans one academic year with the option to participate in a third. The first year begins in late August, a couple months after that cohort’s application deadline.  

Note: Specific dates and other details will be shared with fellows via email. 
 

program
What to expect from the Fellowship Experience
What to expect from the Fellowship Experience

Cohort meetings will introduce inclusive teaching principles rooted in social psychology, education and learning sciences research that have been shown to boost student engagement, increase equity in academic outcomes, and support student learning and success in STEM courses.

Fellows will collaboratively explore these principles as well as practical and effective implementation techniques that can be applied in the classroom.

Throughout the year, fellows will identify small shifts to make in their courses, test them out where possible and establish methods for systematically (self-)examining their impact (i.e., how will I know it “worked”?).

The E3 Fellowship will take place in person, on campus, beginning in late August, followed by 12 sessions held during that academic year. Fellows will also engage in summer workshops to wholistically incorporate new practices into their courses. Meeting dates and times will be determined after fellows have been selected to accommodate teaching schedules.

Meetings will be interactive and will include time for fellows to work on specific aspects of their course materials in the company of STEM colleagues and experts across campus.

Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives

By the end of the year, fellows will be able to:

  • Identify research-based practices to promote student engagement, increase equity in students’ experiences of their learning environments and support academic success
  • Adapt inclusive practices to their teaching context
  • Collect and analyze formative student feedback to make iterative refinements 
Program
Program
  • Orientation & Kick-Off (refreshments provided)
  • First-Year Institute: six 90-minute sessions held twice monthly during the fall and spring semesters.
  • Summer workshops in preparation for the upcoming fall semester.

Fellows are also encouraged to take part in ongoing pedagogical development opportunities on campus, particularly those offered through CATLOE.

Outcomes
Outcomes
  • Collection of formative feedback from students
  • Mini portfolio of teaching materials
  • Guidelines for revising a selected course

Fellows who submit the materials above and attend all cohort sessions will receive recognition of participation. Fellows are encouraged to contact the facilitators if personal or scheduling conflicts arise to identify appropriate accommodations.

Joining the E3 Learning Community

After completing the core fellowship experience, interested fellows may choose to engage in opportunities that focus on how inclusive teaching practices can be deliberately interwoven into their disciplinary expertise, teaching and research.
 

recognition
Applying for Internal Funds
Applying for Internal Funds

Fellows may also be eligible to apply for internal funds to support a range of activities, including but not limited to:  

  • Providing and receiving ongoing mentorship support
  • Working on collaborative projects that center inclusive pedagogical techniques
  • Developing proposals for external grant applications that require integration of education and research or implementing proposed projects
  • Participating in and/or conducting classroom observations
  • Creating subgroups with areas of interest
  • Updating additional courses
  • Creating inclusive STEM modules
  • Opportunities for additional professional development

Guidance will be provided based on each fellowship opportunity.

Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives

During continued participation in the E3 Learning Community, fellows will be able to:

  • Use their continually developing expertise to support themselves and other colleagues engaging in inclusive course and teaching (re)design and refinement
  • Engage in project-based work or other opportunities to incorporate inclusive teaching practices into their areas of disciplinary expertise and research 
Outcomes
Outcomes

Opportunities for professional development and participating in special projects

Additional Benefits
Additional Benefits
  • Eligible to apply for internal grant funds to support
  • Designation of Distinguished Equity and Excellence in Education (E3) Provost Fellow 

 

An instructor leans on a table to look at a student's laptop screen. A second student is seated across the table.


 

Fellowship Benefits

In recognition of their efforts and leadership, instructors who successfully complete the fellowship will:

  • Receive $1,500 stipend
  • Receive letters of recognition from the Office of the Provost and Division of Inclusive Excellence
  • Receive a fellow designation from the Office of the Provost
  • Be eligible to apply for internal funds to support inclusive teaching activities

 

An instructor standing with three students gestures toward and writes on a white board.


 

Apply to the E3 Provost Fellowship

The fellowship is open to UAlbany STEM faculty and lecturers teaching undergraduate courses.

E3 Provost Fellowship Applications are due by June 22, 2026. Space is limited.

Fellows will be notified about their selection in July and their cohort will begin meeting in mid-August. 


 

Questions?

For questions or other assistance, please contact Lakia Green at [email protected] and Sarah Pickett at [email protected].

apply