King-Chavez-Parks Future Faculty Fellows

Eligibility

Applicants requesting consideration for a KCP FFF Award must be able to provide documentation or allow verification that they meet, at a minimum, the following eligibility criteria:

• The applicant is a citizen of the United States.
• The applicant meets the university's requirements for Michigan residency.
• The applicant has been accepted at that Michigan public university into a graduate degree program that facilitates a career in postsecondary teaching.
• The applicant is in good academic standing, as defined by the university.
• The applicant is not currently in default on any guaranteed student loan.
• The applicant has not previously received another FFF Award for the same degree level (master's/specialist or doctorate). (Note: Previous recipients who did not receive the maximum allowable award may reapply for additional funds while still in pursuit of that degree.)
• The applicant is not currently a recipient of an FFF Award at another university for a degree that has not been completed.
• The applicant has not previously had an FFF Award converted to a KCP Loan.
• The applicant is academically or economically disadvantaged, as defined by the KCP Initiative.

Forms and documents

• FFF Fellows Handbook
• FFF Service Credit Guidelines

For detailed information about eligibility requirements see King-Chavez-Parks (KCP) Initiative Future Faculty Fellowship (FFF) Eligibility Requirements. An applicant must satisfy all criteria in Section 1 and must satisfy at least one form of verification from Section 2 to be eligible.

Selection criteria

Only applications completed by 5 p.m. on the deadline day will be considered for evaluation by the CMU KCP FFF Award Selection Committee. Preference will be given to those applicants who meet the following selection criteria:

• Excellent academic credentials
• Outstanding letters of recommendation
• Compelling personal statement
• Detailed description of scholarly interests
• Significance of contributions to field of research
• Informed statement on equity/inclusiveness/belonging
• Logical timeline and degree completion plan

Fellowship responsibilities and conditions of the award

A KCP Future Faculty Fellowship awardee at CMU agrees to:

• participate in an orientation program and meet with Nikita Murry, (OIDEI) institutional representative for KCP Future Faculty Fellowship at least once per month.
• participate in the KCP Fall Colloquy each year until degree completion.
• participate in the annual Diversity Symposium as a presenter until degree completion.
• complete a 3-year service obligation that can be met by a part- or full-time postsecondary teaching or approved administrative position (pre-approved teaching assistantships count toward this obligation).
• obtain a part- or full-time faculty teaching or approved administrative position in an accredited, public two- or four-year postsecondary institution within one year after obtaining the terminal masters or doctoral degree.
• submit an annual progress report until graduation.
• attend the annual Equity in the Classroom conference participate when hosted in Michigan, if possible.
• attend one regional/national conference related to degree field and professional orientation.
• remain in the regional area while completing degree (exceptions may be made for those needing to move outside of the area for clinical requirements or dissertation data collection).

Please note: While holding a KCP Future Faculty Fellowship, documented teaching verified by the KCP Initiative Office will apply toward the three-year full-time equivalent teaching agreement. This includes pre-approved teaching assistantship appointments as well as postsecondary teaching at two-year or four-year institutions. This Fellowship will be considered defaulted and a loan subject to repayment in full to the State of Michigan if the conditions for acceptance are not met.

Application procedure

Applicants must complete the KCP-FFF application located in the KCP Future Faculty Fellowship Online Management System.

• In order to submit a FFF application, applicants must create a MILogin ID and “Request Access” to the KCP Future Faculty Fellowship Program under “Search Application”. Once access is granted, the application can be found under “My Opportunities” on the right-hand side of the page.

In the “Application Questions” section of the application in the KCP Future Faculty Fellowship Online Management System, please upload the following items in one document with the appropriate headers, where it reads “to upload additional document, click ‘+’ sign”.

• a detailed timetable for completing your dissertation
• a diversity statement that addresses your experience with diversity in the classroom and/or in your past or planned research endeavors, any experience mentoring diverse students or community outreach initiatives, and how you will advance inclusive excellence (1000 words maximum)
• two or three letters of recommendation (one of which must be from your faculty major adviser)

Application deadline

The State of Michigan’s KCP-FFF Application for the CMU cohort beginning Fall 2025 is open. Central Michigan University’s application submission deadline is March 31, 2025.

For questions or additional information pertaining to the KCP FFF, contact Dr. Nikita Murry at nikita.murry@cmich.edu.