King-Chavez-Parks imageKing-Chavez-Parks Initiative:
Future Faculty Fellowship

Program Description

The FFF Program was created by the Michigan State Legislature in 1986 as part of the larger King·Chavez·Parks Initiative, designed to stem the downward spiral of college graduation rates for students underrepresented in postsecondary education. The purpose of the FFF Program is to increase the pool of academically or economically disadvantaged candidates pursuing faculty teaching careers in postsecondary education. Preference may not be given to applicants on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, gender, or national origin. Universities should encourage applicants who would otherwise not adequately be represented in the graduate student and faculty populations to apply.  FFF recipients are required , by signed agreement, to pursue and obtain a master’s or doctoral degree at one of the fifteen public universities in Michigan. FFF recipients are also obligated to obtain a postsecondary faculty teaching or approved administrative position at a public or private, 2- or 4-year, in-state or out-of-state postsecondary institution and remain in that position for up to three (3) years equivalent full-time, dependent upon the amount of the Fellowship Award. Fellows who do not fulfill the obligations of their Fellowship Agreement may be placed in default, which results in the Fellowship converting to a loan, referred to as a KCP Loan, that the Fellow repays to the State of Michigan.  A portion of this service obligation may be completed while a student earns his/her graduate degree.  Fellows who do not fulfill the obligations of their fellowship agreement may be placed in Default, which results in their fellowship converting to a loan (referred to as a KCP Loan) that the Fellow repays to the State of Michigan. A Master’s recipient may receive a maximum of $20,000 towards their degree and a doctoral student may receive a maximum of $35,000 towards their degree.

The KCP Future Faculty Fellowship Program at Lake Superior State University acknowledges support from the State of Michigan, Department of Talent and Economic Development, Talent Investment Agency, Workforce Development Agency-Youth Services, King•Chávez•Parks Initiative

Program Guidelines

The objectives of the Lake Superior State University (LSSU) implementation of the KCP-Future Faculty Fellowship program are aligned with the KCP legislative mandate: to increase the pool of academically or economically disadvantaged candidates pursing faculty teaching careers in postsecondary education. The KCP Initiative does not encourage awards to persons already having master’s or doctoral degrees – requests for exceptions may be submitted by the university.  Applications for funding through the KCP-FFF program are used to identify qualified and interested candidates for awards, and to inform the award process by aligning individual professional goals with the mission of the university.

Applications for funding through LSSU  should reflect the potential benefit that the applicant’s graduate education will bring to the university as a person who has been, and can serve as a role model for, academically and/or economically disadvantaged students. To address the needs of the university, preference may be given to current LSSU faculty and staff,  to LSSU graduates, to individuals currently accepted/enrolled in appropriate graduate programs, to individuals with the greatest potential to contribute through faculty and administrative roles at LSSU, and to residents of the Eastern Upper Peninsula. All awards recommended by the LSSU Selection Committee must be approved by the KCP Program based on their qualifying criteria.

Future Faculty Fellowship applications will be accepted through April 30, 2023 for the 2023 award period.

Eligibility

KCP Fellowship selection criteria state that all of the following criteria must be met for an individual to be eligible for an LSSU award, and that the university may add additional criteria. See the Administrative Handbook for additional information.

  • The KCP Fellow must be a current LSSU faculty or staff member pursuing an advanced degree which will enable the applicant to teach postsecondary courses that they would otherwise not be qualified to teach. KCP Future Faculty Fellow demonstrate eligibility through the  FFF Eligibility Requirements & Statement and must be academically or economically disadvantaged as defined by the KCP-FFF program guidelines.
  • The fellow should have potential to serve as a role model for academically and/or economically disadvantaged students
  • Accepted into an appropriate program of study at a Michigan public university that facilitates a career in postsecondary teaching
  • In good academic standing as defined by the institution
  • Is not currently a recipient of a KCP Initiative Fellowship Award at another institution
  • Has not received another KCP Fellowship Award for the same degree level
  • Is not in current default status on any guaranteed student loan and/or KCP Loan
  • Is a citizen of the United States
  • Meets the institution’s requirements for Michigan residency
  • Candidates must apply through the KCP Future Faculty Fellows online portal, and be approved by the the KCP Program Office.

Fellows must submit application materials that document:

  • Educational and career goal statement linking the applicant’s interests and academic preparation to his/her current studies and postsecondary teaching career focus
  • Identification of all current or past FFF Awards by year, degree level and university
  • Identification of all previously-earned graduate degrees

Current LSSU KCP Future Faculty Fellows

  • Sausha Tews, beginning fall 2022 – MS Central Michigan University
  • David Leach, beginning summer 2019 – PhD Michigan Tech

Degrees Conferred through the KCP FFF Program

  • Bradley Clegg, beginning fall 2018 – MS Conferred – Congratulations
  • Katelynn Coon, beginning January 2016, MS conferred – Congratulations
  • Ms. Marta Diaz, beginning fall 2016, MS Finance conferred – Congratulations
  • Ms. Judith Hering, beginning fall 2016, MSN conferred – Congratulations
  • Dr. Ron Hutchins, beginning 2012, Ed.D. conferred conferred – Congratulations
  • Dr. Kathleen Kalata, beginning January 2017, MS conferred – Congratulations
  • Mr. David Leach, beginning 2015, MS conferred – Congratulations
  • Dr. Barbara Light, beginning 2012, Ed.D. conferred – Congratulations
  • Mr. Benjamin Southwell, beginning 2011, MA Chemistry conferred – Congratulations
  • Dr. Catherine White, beginning 2012, Ed.D. conferred – Congratulations
  • Dr. Shelley Wooley – Ed.D. conferred – Congratulations

Future Faculty Fellowship Forms & Resources

KCP State-level Program Information

KCP Fellowship Award Selection Committee

  • Administration Member: Erica Newland

For more information, please contact Erica Newland at  or  (906) 635-2272