Dr. Julius Ford Teaching Fellowship Program

As former Vice President and Dean of Student Personnel Services at Westchester Community College, Dr. Julius Ford is respected for his ability to provide leadership, vision, and direction for the comprehensive program of services he managed for more than 30 years.

As an active member of the community, he served as a member and Board Chair of several community organizations. He remains a member of the County Executive’s African American Advisory Board. Dr. Ford holds an Ed.D. in Student Personnel Administration and a Master’s degree in Psychology from Columbia University, Teacher’s College.

The primary goal of the Dr. Ford Teaching Fellowship Program is to assist talented individuals in their advancement in academia. The Dr. Ford Teaching Fellowship program is designed to assist individuals, in particular from underrepresented groups, enrolled in a graduate program (or who hold a graduate degree) to obtain the skills that will make them highly competitive for full-time, tenure track, teaching, as well as faculty-held administrative, positions.  

• Learn from experienced faculty both teaching and administrative skills that are essential for success in the academic workplace.
• Develop relationships with senior faculty members as a means of networking and professional socialization.
• Experience professional development opportunities, such as through attendance at major conferences and workshops
• Network with other full-time and adjunct faculty.
• Learn about the diverse needs and interests of students in community college settings
• Help diversify the faculty of Westchester Community College, so that the faculty may more closely represent student demographics
• Provide Westchester Community College students with the opportunity to learn and be mentored from underrepresented faculty
• Receive assistance in attaining a full time, tenure track teaching position, either at Westchester Community College or another community college.

Expectations of Fellows:

• A minimum of 3 hours per week teaching under the supervision of a mentor.
• Two hours a week attending the course (s) of an assigned mentor.
• A minimum of 3 hours per week attending relevant faculty meetings or participating in campus events and activities.
• Attendance at fellow orientation program, program workshops, socials, and other program events (e.g., job fairs).
• One-hour weekly meeting with an assigned mentor to discuss course development, assessment, and other issues relevant to the teaching of the fellow’s course(s).
• Completion of reading and other assignments assigned by mentor.
• Completion of a portfolio at the end of each semester demonstrating the fellow’s progress in the program.  Fellows will share portfolios with one another at the end of the semester.
• Evaluation at mid-semester and end of semester by mentor, students, and Fellowship Advisory Committee.
• Fellows will receive the current adjunct teaching salary for the courses that they teach in addition to a stipend ($1000/semester) in recognition for their participation in the program.

Who is Eligible?

• Applicants must be employed as a Westchester Community College adjunct.
• Applicants must be citizens or non-citizen nationals of the United States or have been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence.
• Applicants must have an interest in a career in teaching at a community college
• Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree, along with at last 15 credits towards a master’s degree in a discipline taught at Westchester Community College
• Applicants that are able to strengthen the representation of historically underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply.

• Download and complete the Dr. Ford Teaching Fellowship Application
• Along with your application, submit two letters of recommendation, a CV (or resume), personal statement and a copy of graduate transcripts to one of the program co-directors.
• Within two weeks, the program co-directors will contact you concerning the status of your application.

Where to get more information:
For more information about the Dr. Ford Teaching Fellowship Program, or if you are a Westchester Community College full-time faculty member interested in becoming a mentor for the program, contact either one of the program Co-Directors