Grace Jordan McFadden Professors Program

Open to prospective and current doctoral and MFA students, this program prepares underrepresented ethnically diverse students to become professors. Scholars are provided $40,000 in additional funding over 4 years and receive training specifically designed to help them launch successful and impactful careers as college professors.

Apply

The application deadline for the Fall 2023 cohort is February 24, 2023.

Application Instructions

About the Grace Jordan McFadden Professors Program

The program is directed by Dr. John McFadden. The program was created in 1997 to address the underrepresentation of African American faculty in the professoriate. Originally focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), the program has since expanded to include other underrepresented scholars from across multiple disciplines including the arts, humanities, education, social sciences, library science and business. Participants are not required to make a commitment to USC, nor does USC make an employment commitment to participants.

Program Details & Benefits

The program is open to all ethnically diverse under-represented students who will be entering their first or second year in a doctoral or MFA program and are interested in becoming college professors. In keeping with the program’s historic mission, addressing the underrepresentation of African American and LatinX scholars in higher education is a program priority.

Scholars are assigned a faculty mentor and participate in monthly professional development seminars. These additional forms of educational support have been instrumental in the successful retention and graduation of former scholars.

In addition to the funding provided by the home academic program, GJMPP scholars are also provided a $10,000 annual stipend (4 years for doctorate, 5 semesters for MFA). The stipend is distributed over eight semesters for doctoral students (total of $40,000 over four academic years) and five semesters for MFA students (total of $25,000). The academic program must provide the fellow with whichever is greater:

50% tuition and fee abatement plus an $8,000 annual stipend OR
The standard level of funding for a graduate assistant in the academic unit

Program Requirements

Remain in Good Academic Standing
No Bursar Holds or Outstanding Fees
Participate in Preparing Future Faculty Program (PFF)
Have a Faculty Mentor
Present one scholarly work product prior to graduating (journal article or digital research poster)
Participate in at Least 1 Community Service Project per Year
Complete Program of Study in 3 Years (5 years in special situations)
Attend Professional Development Seminars and Workshops Each Semester

Graduate School