FAQs

Last Updated August 3, 2022

Mentoring

Will the Director|Chair be my official mentor?

The Director|Chair mentors all departmental colleagues, including Riley Scholars-in-Residence. Other members of the program|department may also serve as mentors.

What additional mentoring and professional development opportunities are available to Riley Scholars?

Riley Scholars-in-Residence are encouraged to participate in the Mentoring Alliance Program (MAP), which is open to all early career faculty. The Crown Center for Teaching is a resource for educators who want to expand and hone their teaching toolkits. The Instructional Coaching Program, housed in the Crown Center for Teaching and open to all faculty, is a teacher development program designed to support CC educators’ anti-oppressive pedagogical development. 

 

Teaching

 

How much teaching support will I receive from the Riley Scholars-in-Residence Program?

Riley Scholars-in-Residence are encouraged to participate in the Mentoring Alliance Program (MAP), which is open to all early career faculty. The Crown Center for Teaching is a resource for educators who want to expand and hone their teaching toolkits. The Instructional Coaching Program, housed in the Crown Center for Teaching and open to all faculty, is a teacher development program designed to support CC educators’ anti-oppressive pedagogical development. 

Will I be able to participate in conversations about my teaching load and teaching schedule?

Yes. While scheduling needs for programs|departments vary, impacting the extent to which any faculty member can determine the blocks in which they teach, you should participate in those conversations to the extent possible since special consideration should be paid to your needs concerning the completion of your dissertation or your postdoctoral research progress and job market timelines.

If I'm a predoctoral scholar, will I be expected to teach more than two courses?

No. However, if your program|department needs you to teach adjunct courses or courses that are less than 1 unit, those adjustments may be considered by the Dean of Faculty.

If I'm a postdoctoral scholar, will I be expected to teach more than three courses?

No. However, if your program|department needs you to teach adjunct courses or courses that are less than 1 unit, those adjustments may be considered by the Dean of Faculty.

Will I be expected to team teach courses with other faculty within or outside the program|department?

This may be approved in certain cases depending on various factors that should be discussed with the Dean of Faculty prior to the Director|Chair submitting their course grid.

Will I be expected to teach two-block courses?

This may be approved in certain cases depending on various factors that should be discussed with the Dean of Faculty prior to the Director|Chair submitting their course grid.

Will I be expected to teach adjunct courses?

This may be approved in certain cases depending on various factors that should be discussed with the Dean of Faculty prior to the Director|Chair submitting their course grid.

Will I be expected to advise students or student groups?

Not typically. However, adjustments may be considered by the Dean of Students and Vice President for Student Life in consultation with the Dean of the Faculty.

Who do I talk to if I'm having a problem with my teaching?

Direct these concerns to your Director|Chair, who will help facilitate prudent and meaningful conversations with any necessary parties.

Service

Should I attend program|department meetings?

No, because RSiRP is designed to support you in working on your scholarship and bolstering your teaching skills. Program|department meeting attendance is service work you should not spend time on during your participation in the program.

Which program|department events should I attend?

We recommend you attend events like those that feature guest speakers and students presenting their research or those that celebrate graduates, for example, as these opportunities will allow you to build and maintain community. If you need any clarification along these lines, contact your program|department mentor and the Director of the Riley Scholars-in-Residence Program.

Will I be expected to serve on program|department and|or college committees?

No, because RSiRP is designed to support you in working on your scholarship and bolstering your teaching skills. Committee work is service you should not spend time on during your participation in the program.

 

Employment and Compensation

What is my official job title?

If you are a predoctoral Riley Scholar-in-Residence, your official title is Predoctoral Riley Scholar-in-Residence in [Department or Program] at Colorado College. If you are a postdoctoral Riley Scholar-in-Residence, your official title is Visiting Assistant Professor of [Department or Program] at Colorado College. 

What kinds of economic support should I expect to receive?

Along with a stipend for research and professional development and a college-issued computer for use during your employment, you also may be eligible to receive funding for additional teaching and|or research-related expenses, such as conference travel, from your program|department, the Office of the Dean of the Faculty, and other sources. Consult with your mentor for more information.

Will I receive benefits like health insurance or contributions to my retirement funds?

According to Human Resources, "Most benefits are effective on the first calendar day of the month once applicable waiting periods have been satisfied. New benefits-eligible employees hired on the first calendar day or first business day of the month will be eligible for coverage on their hire date. Employees hired on any other day of the month will be eligible for coverage on the first calendar day of the following month." For more specific information, visit their website by clicking here or contact their office directly.

Am I guaranteed a second year, if I want to stay?

No. Whether or not a second year is extended depends on your willingness to stay along with the needs and abilities of your program|department and the college. However, if you wish to stay, you may communicate that to your mentor and|or Director|Chair by the end of the fall semester.

If I'm a predoctoral scholar, can I be granted a second year even if I do not complete my dissertation?

Not typically. However, if unique cases should be considered, those should be directed to the Dean of the Faculty, by your Director|Chair.

Will I be granted a tenure-track job at Colorado College or elsewhere upon the completion of my fellowship?

We cannot guarantee you will earn a tenure-track job at Colorado College or elsewhere upon the completion of your fellowship.

Report an issue - Last updated: 09/21/2023