About PFF

Preparing Future Faculty (PFF) is a national initiative sponsored by the Council of Graduate Schools and the Association of American Colleges & Universities and supported by numerous disciplinary organizations in the life sciences, math, computer science, the social sciences, health sciences, and humanities. Preparing Future Faculty involves providing graduate students with information and experiences relevant to academic careers in their field. In particular, the program seeks to familiarize students with the diversity of research, teaching, and service responsibilities of faculty members in different types of colleges and universities.

At ODU the PFF initiative began in 2004 and is now a university-wide program supported by the Office of Academic Affairs. The Program is administered by a Steering Committee made up of faculty and graduate students. The program has also reached out to other institutions in Virginia. Faculty and students from Norfolk State University serve on the PFF Steering Committee and students from affiliated institutions are welcome to attend PFF events.

Each semester, talks and workshops are offered related to the skills required to build a successful academic career. Other resources, both at ODU and elsewhere, have been identified that are designed to familiarize students with the teaching, research, and service requirements of a faculty career. Previous events have included Leading Classroom Discussions, Portfolio Development, Classroom Management, and Grant Writing. We also provide resources for navigating the academic job market.

PFF also awards a "PFF Certificate" to students who document completion of a certain number of activities related to preparing for an academic career. Completion of this certificate is noted on the student's transcript, and can be noted on a curriculum vita as evidence of teaching preparation. Any ODU degree-seeking graduate student is eligible for the PFF Certificate. ODU adjunct and post-doctoral students are also eligible for the certificate.