Writing the Application Statements

This statement should outline your scholarly achievements, including a discussion of the impact and contribution of your work to your discipline. The research/scholarship statement should also describe your future plans. Additionally, if applicable to your research/scholarship, you may choose to address the following:

• How the research/scholarship has the potential to serve the needs of groups that have been historically underserved by academic research.
• How the research/scholarship interests focus on underserved populations and understanding issues of social inequalities. For example:
  • research/scholarship that addresses issues such as race, gender, diversity, equity, and inclusion;
  • research/scholarship that addresses topics such as health disparities, educational access, and achievement, political engagement, economic justice, social mobility, civil and human rights, and similar topics;
  • artistic expression and cultural production that reflects culturally diverse communities or voices not well represented in the arts and humanities.
• How your research/scholarship brings to bear the critical perspectives that come from the scholarly understanding of the experiences of groups historically underrepresented in higher education or underserved by academic research generally.
• How your research/scholarship contributes to understanding the barriers facing members of groups who have been historically underrepresented in specific fields in higher education. Examples include (but are not limited to):
  • studying patterns of participation and advancement of women, racial minorities, and other groups in academic fields where they are underrepresented;
  • evaluating research programs, curricula, and teaching strategies designed to enhance participation of students from groups underserved by higher education.

This statement should document your commitment to, and personal achievements in, advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion goals within academia and beyond. This can include sustained engagement, service, or leadership to increase access, retention, and success of underrepresented populations in higher education.

Some areas of interest to the program are:

• Potential to contribute to higher education through the scholarly understanding of barriers facing women, domestic racial/ethnic minorities, students with disabilities, and other members of groups underrepresented in higher education, as may be evidenced by life experiences and educational background. Examples include but are not limited to:
  • ability to articulate the barriers facing specific groups in fields where they are underrepresented;
  • attendance (undergraduate or graduate) at a minority serving institution;
  • participation in higher education pipeline programs such as Summer Research Opportunity Programs or McNair Scholars;
  • significant academic achievement in the face of barriers such as economic, social, or educational disadvantage.
  • commitment to allyhood through learning about structural inequities demonstrated by, for example, extensive reading or focused coursework, or participation in professional development programs or institutional diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
• A record of academic service to advance equitable access to higher education for groups in fields where they are underrepresented (e.g., women, racial/ethnic minorities, first-generation college students, student veterans).
• Demonstrated engagement with historically underserved populations, and bringing this experience to the scholarship, teaching, and learning mission of the university. This commitment may be reflected by leadership or active participation in:
  • departmental or institutional committees, task force groups, or other workgroups;
  • local or national service related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access, such as through professional societies and organizations;
  • scholarship, practice, or policy efforts to advance diversity, equity, inclusion or social justice for historically underrepresented or marginalized groups (at campus, local community, state, or national levels);
  • other community engagement or outreach activities relevant to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion and access, such as volunteer activities, consulting, or advising.
• A record of leadership or significant experience performing public service addressing the needs of our increasingly diverse society.

This statement should describe your philosophy of teaching, and may include experience in formal course instruction or design as well as informal teaching or mentoring experiences.

Particular consideration will be given to the following:

• A record of leadership or significant experience teaching and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students from broadly diverse demographic and social backgrounds, including students from groups that have been historically underrepresented in higher education. Strong statements will demonstrate this engagement beyond individual students.
• Capacity to pedagogically address and respond to the learning needs of students from broadly diverse backgrounds. For example:
  • Development or use of curricula designed to enhance participation of students from broadly diverse backgrounds, including groups underserved by higher education;
  • Engagement in training or professional development activities designed to enhance intercultural or intergroup competencies and skills.
  • Ability to integrate contemporary issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion into the classroom.
• Ability to create an inclusive learning environment, addressing one or more of the following issues:
  • How your own and your students’ identities (e.g., race, gender, class), background, experience, and levels of privilege affect classroom dynamics;
  • How diverse perspectives can be integrated into teaching methods and approaches.