The University of Å·ÃÀ¿Ú±¬ÊÓƵ at Boulder's Graduate Teacher Program will host the fourth annual Preparing Future Faculty Forum Saturday, Feb. 10, at the Coors Events/Conference Center.
The forum, which will begin at 8:30 a.m. and continue until 3:30 p.m., is designed to help prepare current graduate students to become faculty at post-secondary institutions, according to Laura Border, director of the Graduate Teacher Program.
"We are going to have a series of discussions on how graduate students should be prepared to teach, the benefits of teaching at different types of institutions, and how we can invigorate post-secondary teaching and research in Å·ÃÀ¿Ú±¬ÊÓƵ through shared collaboration," Border said.
The forum will also feature George Walker, graduate dean at Indiana University, as a keynote speaker. "George Walker is one of the leading graduate deans in the country," Border said.
According to Border, four different grants are contributing to the forum. "The grants include one from the Pew Charitable Trust, one from the National Science Foundation and one from an anonymous donor committed to developing faculty in the humanities and social sciences," she said.
Although Å·ÃÀ¿Ú±¬ÊÓƵ-Boulder is the host institution for the forum, faculty from several other post-secondary schools will also be participating. Attending schools include the Air Force Academy, the University of Wyoming, the University of Northern Å·ÃÀ¿Ú±¬ÊÓƵ, Adams State University, Western State University and Front Range Community College.
"What is so great about this program is that we have been able to build strong alliances with institutions across the state and beyond," Border said. "The faculty at these schools have agreed to act as mentors to students in the program, allowing students to come and observe their campuses, as well as gathering to share ideas."
This weekend's forum is open to all interested graduate students and faculty. Students involved in the Graduate Teacher Program will receive three of the required 40 hours needed for certification by attending the forum. In addition, breakfast, lunch and door prizes will be provided.
For more information contact Laura Border at (303) 492-4902 or visit the program's Web site at .