The Nellie McKay Fellowship advances the Excellence in Mentoring Initiative by supporting outstanding faculty who have demonstrated the ability and commitment to mentor at-risk, first-generation, or underrepresented undergraduate or graduate students to achieve academic success. The fellowship provides one academic year free from teaching so that faculty may devote the year to their research and service. The fellowship is normally used in the fourth year of an assistant professor appointment and is contingent on a successful performance review after three years. It provides $80,000 for the department to hire an instructor. The fellowship may be requested for recruitment or retention of faculty. The fellowship is an investment in faculty development and obligates the recipient to remain employed at UW–Madison for a minimum of one academic year upon conclusion of the fellowship.
Application Process
We are not accepting new applications at this time.
Offer Letter Language
The Nellie McKay Fellowship must be included in the candidate’s offer or retention letter. Sample language is below and may be modified as needed.
The Office of the Provost is pleased to offer you a Nellie McKay Fellowship which provides full release from teaching for one academic year so that you may devote the year to your research and service. The Nellie McKay Fellowship may be used during the 20XX-20XX academic year, contingent upon satisfactory performance during the first three years of your appointment. The Nellie McKay Fellowship is an investment in faculty development and obligates you to remain employed at UW–Madison for a minimum of one academic year upon conclusion of the fellowship. Nellie McKay was a highly respected and beloved colleague in English and African-American Studies.
Transfer of Funds
Signed offer letters must be uploaded to the Recruitment and Retention Tool before the Office of the Provost can release any funds. Release of funds is contingent upon successful performance review after three years in the appointment. Schools, colleges, or divisions must notify us at vpfsa@provost.wisc.edu that the faculty member has had a successful performance review and ask for the funds to be transferred. Depending on the timing of the request, funds may be added to the school, college, or division’s annual budget allocation or transferred immediately.