Pre-Doc Minority Fellowship

The Gaius Charles Bolin Fellowships at Williams College are designed to promote diversity on college faculties by encouraging students from underrepresented groups to complete a terminal graduate degree and to pursue careers in college teaching.

The Bolin Fellowships are two-year residencies at Williams, and three scholars or artists are appointed each year. Fellows devote the bulk of the first year to the completion of dissertation work­or in the case of MFA applicants, building their professional portfolios­while also teaching one course as a faculty member in one of the College's academic departments or programs. The second year of residency (ideally with degree in hand) is spent on academic career development while again teaching just one course.
Gaius Charles Bolin was the first black graduate of Williams. The fellowship program was founded in 1985, on the centennial of his admission to the College.

Eligibility:
The Bolin Fellowships are awarded to applicants from underrepresented groups, including ethnic minorities, those who are first-generation college graduates, women in predominantly male fields, or disabled scholars.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents who intend to pursue a professorial career in the U.S., and must have completed all doctoral work except the dissertation by the end of the current academic year. MFA candidates who will receive their degrees in 2009 are also eligible to apply.

Terms:
The annual stipend for the position is $33,000. The College will also provide health and dental benefits, housing assistance, academic support including office space and computer and library privileges, and an allowance of up to $4,000 for research-related expenses.
During the period of residence at Williams, the Bolin Fellows will be affiliated with an appropriate department or program, and will be expected to teach one one-semester course each year, normally in the fall semester of year one and the spring semester of year two.

Application:
Candidates should submit two full sets in hard copy (electronic applications will not be accepted) of each of the following materials, to be received by December 1, 2008:

• a cover letter with a description of teaching interests within one of the departments or programs at Williams;
• a full curriculum vitae;
• a graduate school transcript and three confidential letters of recommendation;
• PhD applicants: a copy of the dissertation prospectus, preferably limited to 10-15 pp., and a timetable for completion of the degree.
• Post MFA applicants: project description and representations of work, as described below (self-addressed stamped envelope required for return of originals):

o Writers: 2-3 short stories, 10-15 poems, or novel passages not to exceed 50 pages;
o Visual Artists: 20 images (35 mm slides or DVDs);
o Theatre Artists: video documentation of work performed or directed; digital or hard-copy sample of design portfolio;
o Musicians: complete list of works or significant performances, plus 3 scores or recordings of compositions/performances;
o Choreographers/Dancers: video documentation of performance;
o Film and Video: DVDs as appropriate.

Respond To:
William G. Wagner
Dean of the Faculty - GCBDF
Williams College
P.O. Box 141
Williamstown, Massachusetts 01267

Notification:
Candidates will be notified of the Selection Committee's decision by early March, 2009.