The Service, Teaching and Research (STaR) Program is now accepting applications for the 2017 cohort, which will meet in Park City, UT June 24-29, 2017. The STaR program is open to faculty members at U.S. institutions who are in their first or second year of a tenure-track appointment at the time of application. The program provides an opportunity for early career faculty members to develop a network of peers and to interact with more experienced colleagues around issues of service, teaching, and research. Please encourage eligible mathematics education faculty members to learn more; program and application information can be found on the AMTE website. Application deadline is December 1, 2016; decisions will be announced by January 31, 2017.
The STaR program is funded through the generous support of various professional organizations (including AMTE, AMTE state affiliates, NCTM, and ASA), private foundations such as the Brookhill Institute of Mathematics, and private individuals. This funding is used to provide STaR fellows with lodging and some meals. Their institutions are responsible for providing funding for transportation to and from Park City, some meals, and expenses associated with attending a follow-up meeting prior to AMTE in 2018. Institutional expenses are estimated at $1500.
The STaR program has supported seven cohorts of 239 early career mathematics educators from over 100 different higher education institutions since 2010. These STaR Fellows and the 2017 institute Co-directors (Karen Hollebrands and Jeff Shih) are happy to answer questions from prospective applicants. Feedback from the 2016 Fellows demonstrates what one can expect from the program:
"My STaR experience was fantastic because I was able to connect with other mathematics educators who are at similar points in their careers. As a lone math educator at my institution, I now have a national network to reach out to with questions about teaching, service, and research. This gives me greater confidence in my tenure and promotion because my network represents a variety of institutions across the country."
"During the STaR experience, I worked with experts in the field honing my writing and teaching skills while simultaneously learning how to balance the demands of service, teaching, and research as a young tenure track professional. I feel that this experience was invaluable to supporting my continued success in contributing to the field of mathematics education."
"The STaR experience has been invaluable to help set my academic career on a productive course. It is a privilege to contribute to such a diversity of fellows and mentors, not only as a people with different identities and academic interests, but also as professionals working in a range of academic settings. The STaR experience helped me gain perspective on both the opportunities and also the challenges I am facing as a tenure-track assistant professor at an aspiring top-tier research university. The summit in Park City combined planned sessions with more leisurely occasions to build relationships with peers that I expect will provide a foundation for building a professional network of my own that is independent of the work I completed as a graduate student. I am grateful to AMTE and the constellation of STaR sponsors that worked to support the 2016-2017 cohort."
The future of the STaR Program is dependent on donations to ensure the future of this vibrant program. Of significance is the fact that over half of the STaR Fellows have contributed to the AMTE STaR fund. In particular, the 2015 and 2016 cohorts each pledged $1500 to sponsor a Fellow. PLEASE consider giving $25, $50, $100 or more. Information on how to donate is available at: https://www.amte.net/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=13
