The Mentored Opportunities to Develop Experience in Leadership (MODEL) fellows program is designed for faculty interested in leadership to connect with academic leaders willing to mentor the fellow as they lead an academic year-long project.
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- Monthly learning community sessions to support success in the mentored relationship, the negotiated project, and the development of leadership skills and dispositions by the fellow. Sessions are first Monday of the month 11:30-2:00 p.m., lunch included.
- October 5, 2026 – Mentor attends
- November 2, 2026
- December 7, 2026
- January - Project Mid-point Feedback Meetings scheduled by program facilitators with each mentor/mentee pair for a feedback-rich review of progress in both the project and the mentoring relationship.
- February 1, 2027
- March 1, 2027
- April 5, 2027
- May 3, 2027 – Mentor attends
- Six sessions with an executive coach for the fellow.
- $5,000 for the fellow to use toward their own leadership development (e.g. conference attendance or skill certification).
- Monthly learning community sessions to support success in the mentored relationship, the negotiated project, and the development of leadership skills and dispositions by the fellow. Sessions are first Monday of the month 11:30-2:00 p.m., lunch included.
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- Frequent engagement with fellow to support the identification, elaboration and execution of a year-long project.
- Ideally mentors are also keen to periodically discuss how and whether the experience is shaping the fellow’s interest in leadership.
- Mentors should have a vested interest in the negotiated project and in the development of the fellow. The academic leader or the faculty fellow may approach the other about a project of shared interest. The project should require effortful leadership by the fellow, worthy of mentoring, but also should be accomplishable within an academic year.
- Mentors must attend the October and the May learning community sessions and participate with the fellow in a mid-point meeting with the MODEL Program facilitators scheduled within the month of January.
- Mentors provide the resources needed to support the project, including any incidental costs associated.
- Mentor Eligibility: Mentors are titled academic leaders (e.g. department head titles, dean titles, provost titles, vice president titles) available to mentor the fellow throughout the execution of the project, and to participate with the fellow in the three sessions of the learning community set to track progress in the project execution.
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- A commitment to at least 20% effort across an academic year to the negotiated project.
- To participate the fellow should negotiate with their department head or supervisor (hereafter department head) a release from other standard activities to make room for the 20% effort. Certification from the department head that there is a release from specific activities is a necessary component of a complete MODEL fellowship program application. Release from existing responsibilities is a necessary investment in the development of the leadership potential of the fellow. Note, there are no funds provided by the program to offset this release.
- Fellows may not participate in any in excess activities during the MODEL fellowship.
- Fellows should not participate in any other learning communities or fellowships during their participation in the MODEL fellowship.
- A proposed project which they have negotiated with a willing and engaged mentor. The application requires a brief description of a year-long mentored project the fellow will lead. Note, either the academic leader or the faculty fellow may approach the other about a project of shared interest. The project should require meaningful leadership by the fellow, worthy of mentoring, but also should be accomplishable within an academic year.
- Attendance to all of the MODEL fellowship program learning community sessions. Availability and attendance are required for participation in the program (see dates in the 'program provides' section).
- Fellow Eligibility: Fellows are full-time, tenured or academic professional track, post-first promotion faculty curious about leadership and interested in a mentored experience with an academic leader.
- A commitment to at least 20% effort across an academic year to the negotiated project.
The Mentored Opportunities to Develop Experience in Leadership (MODEL) Fellows Application
The following application materials are necessary to apply:
- Cover letter containing a brief description of the proposed project: In two pages or fewer:
- provide a brief description of the project, including specific description of the meaningful leadership and 20% effort necessary to execute it
- provide a brief description of why you believe there will be a fruitful mentoring relationship
- state that the fellow is not/will not be participating in any other learning community or significant development experience during the MODEL Fellowship
- state that the fellow will not participate in in excess activities during the MODEL Fellowship
- state the applicant will attend all of the learning community sessions, including a mid-point feedback meeting in January, and the mentor will attend the October and May sessions, as well as a mid-point feedback meeting in January
- both the applicant and the potential mentor should sign the cover letter
2. Curriculum Vitae for the Applicant
3. Letter from the Supervisor/Department Head for the Applicant
- The Department Head/Supervisor should specify the activities from which the applicant is released, as an in kind investment in their development, which will allow for a 20% commitment of effort toward the mentored project.
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Applications are Due September 14, 2026
Applicants will be notified by September 21, 2026
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email facultydevelopment@tamu.edu.
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