The Chancellor's Faculty Fellowship Program

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

The VCCS online application is to be submitted by 5:00 p.m. EST on February 1st each year. If due date falls on a weekend, the following Monday will serve as the due date. Applicants should note that occasionally colleges have internal deadlines for application for this award. Be sure to check with your college to make sure you are complying with any internal deadlines or processes.

Nomination Packets must include the following documents which should be scanned into one pdf labeled with the date and applicant's name (e.g. 2010 Fellowship Application - John Smith) and submitted electronically to Nan Ottenritter at nottenritter@vccs.edu. 

• President's letter of endorsement
• Current transcript or acceptance letter (whichever is applicable). Students having completed course work toward 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.
• Chancellor's Faculty Fellowship Signature Sheet

VII. SCHEDULE

Prior to February 1st If the applicant is not currently enrolled in a doctoral program, all application materials are due to the university of choice (dates may vary depending upon the university).
February 1st VCCS online application is to be submitted by 5:00 p.m. EST on February 1st each year. If due date falls on a weekend, the following Monday will serve as the due date.
May 1st The university confirms acceptance of the candidate in the program.
The selection committee makes recommendations to the Chancellor.
May 15th The Chancellor makes decision on Fellowship Award recipients. Director of Professional Development, Academic Services & Research, notifies recipients.
July

The Chancellor's Faculty Fellowship recipients are introduced to the State Board.

Leave is to be taken and funds expended during this time.

To see a list of past winners, click here.

To fill out the online application form, click here.

To download the signature sheet, click here.