We are now accepting applications for up to 15 practitioner-scholars to join the 2025-2026 Mid-Career Learning Community, a cohort-based leadership and professional development experience designed for community-engaged faculty and staff with 8+ years in the field who are not yet in a senior leadership position. Applications are due December 6.
About the Mid-Career Learning Community
Selected participants will engage in a one-year program designed to develop a diverse group of faculty and staff by strengthening their critical community-engaged scholarship and deepening their abilities to lead change at their institution and in communities. The 2025-2026 learning community will run from March 2025-March 2026 and will consist of two in-person retreats, monthly virtual meetings, mentorship opportunities, scholarly projects, and more.
Program calendar
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Applications close: December 6
- Selected participants announced: January 6
- In-Person opening retreat: March 31, 2025 at Compact25 in Atlanta, GA
- Virtual meetings: 1:00-2:00 pm PT / 4:00-5:00 pm ET, first Thursday of each month May 2025 - February 2026
- In-person closing retreat: March 16, 2026 at Compact26 in Chicago, IL
Participant expectations
Participants are expected to:
- Attend and actively participate in every aspect of the learning community, including opening and closing retreats, monthly virtual meetings, and any individual or small group collaborative meetings.
- Complete all required preparation (e.g., pre-readings, assessment, assigned tasks, etc.) and resulting action items.
- Actively communicate with the program manager and fellow cohort members throughout the experience ensuring the highest level of engagement and collaboration.
Cost
The cost to participate is $175 per person, and limited scholarships may be available. Participants are also expected to cover their own expenses for attend Compact annual conferences.
Application & selection criteria
Eligibility
Participation is limited to active/current Campus Compact members.
This program is open to only mid-career scholar-practitioners. “Mid-Career” is defined as faculty and community engagement professionals who have been in the field for over eight years and are not yet in a senior leadership position.
Application
The application is open through December 6, 2024 and can be found at https://campuscompact.tfaforms.net/34.
The application requires the following materials:
- A letter of interest, not exceeding three pages, addressing the following:
- Your commitment to and experience with community-engaged teaching and/or research and/or your experience as a community engagement professional.
- Your experience and identity as a mid-career faculty or staff member in higher education and in your local campus context. What are the challenges and opportunities you would like to explore with this learning community?
- Reflection on the identities and strengths you would contribute to this engagement collaborative (Longo & Gibson, 2016) cohort and what you hope to gain by participating in it.
- Current CV or resume
- A letter of support, not exceeding two pages, from the candidate's president or chancellor, chief academic officer, chief student affairs officer, dean, chair, or direct supervisor addressing the following:
- Support for the nominee’s participation in the Mid-Career Learning Community
- A description of the institution’s support for community engagement and any foreseen institutional benefits due to the nominee’s participation in the program
- A commitment to supporting the time needed for the nominee to participate as well as covering the nominee’s Mid-Career Learning Community program fee.
- Bio & headshot
- Demographic information
Participant selection
Applicants are selected for the program based on their eligibility (must be mid-career faculty or staff from a Campus Compact member institution) and their ability to participate in all program components. Additionally, we seek to create a cohort that is diverse demographically, geographically, and by institution type.
For questions, get in touch with Emily Phaup at [email protected].