Mary Jo Small
Fellowship Program
Mary Jo Small
Fellowship Program
The Society for the Future of Higher Education (SFHE) seeks early career scholar applications for a year-long career mentoring program. Through the competitive Mary Jo Small (MJS) Fellowship program, participants are paired with SFHE members who can provide guidance regarding higher education, professional life, and tenure and promotion. Those selected will be provided with full funding to attend a three day summer meeting with focused mentorship in teaching, technical writing, and professionalism, and an opportunity to present research. Funding may be extended for a second year.
SFHE defines “early career scholars” as anyone enrolled in graduate or post-graduate work (regardless of intended post-graduate career path), or newly hired academic faculty in their first three years. Contingent faculty are encouraged to apply.
Mary Jo Small, a long time SFHE member, endowed a fund for new scholars with a focus on mentorship programming. This fellowship provides this support while also encouraging new scholars to learn more about the SFHE. The MJS fellowship is part of SFHE’s broader mission of being an incubator and advocate for ideas, strategies, and pedagogies to lead higher education to a more inclusive, just, and equitable future.
The fellowship includes:
Mentorship during Spring 2026 to guide preparation for the organization’s summer meeting
Registration, travel, food, and lodging expenses to participate in SFHE’s interdisciplinary summer meeting to be held July 16th-19th, 2026
Workshops on technical writing, pedagogical/communication strategies, and professionalism
Opportunity to present ongoing research to an interdisciplinary audience, including constructive, collaborative discussion and feedback on a participant’s work
Potential second year funding to attend the SFHE summer meeting in 2027
Application includes the form below and a brief letter of recommendation. The link to submit the letter will be in the confirmation email you will receive after you submit the form.
Deadline to apply: January 31, 2026