MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
Selection & Participation of 2017-2019 UCEA Jackson SCHOLARS
This memorandum of understanding provides clarity on the nomination process, the roles of nominated students and institutional representatives nominating UCEA Jackson Scholars, and the program expectations and financial commitments involved in participating in the UCEA Jackson Scholars program. This memorandum provides a checklist to ensure a clear and mutual understanding regarding program participation and eligibility requirements.
NOMINATION PROCESS:
Who can nominate:
Faculty, Deans and Plenum Sessions Representatives from UCEA member institutions as well as faculty and deans from non-member institutions are able to nominate doctoral students in educational leadership programs.
Who can be nominated:
Institutions are expected to identify and nominate doctoral students with high promise and ability to successfully complete the doctorate and pursue an academic career in the educational leadership professoriate. UCEA strongly recommends nominees who are in the process of completing their second year of coursework. The typical Jackson Scholar should be at least two years from dissertation defense. Priority consideration will be given to students in this entry phase to ensure their participation for the two-year program. Students who expect to defend their dissertations by 2017 will be discouraged from participation, as institutions may not provide support/funding after dissertation and completion of doctoral program.
Financial discussion prior to nomination:
Before submitting the nomination to UCEA, the institution and the nominee must discuss the time and financial obligations expected for participation. These obligations include participation in two UCEA conventions and two AERA annual meetings. Additionally, second year Jackson Scholars are expected to present a synopsis of their research to date at the UCEA convention.
Typical budget considerations/costs include:
*costs are representative – actual costs depend on flight and hotel deals, room sharing, per diem allowances, early bird registration rates, etc.
Convention/Annual meeting5 nights maximum / UCEA 2017 / AERA 2018 / UCEA
2018 / AERA
2019
Travel/Round trip flights / Up to $500 / Up to $500 / Up to $500 / Up to $500
Lodging – 5 nights max
(single room @ $175/night) / Up to $875 / Up to $875 / Up to $875 / Up to $875
Meals, taxes, tips, etc.
($60 per diem) / Up to $300 / Up to $300 / Up to $300 / Up to $300
Student Registration
($70 for UCEA early bird rate;
$30 for Graduate Student Summit) / $110
$ 30 / $80 / $110
$ 30 / $80
Projected totals: up to…. / $1815 / $1755 / $1815 / $1755
Institutions and selected scholars mustcommunicatebefore the nominations process regarding the financial support of the institution and the financial support, if any, that the nominee will be expected to supplement. The institution must be realistic if it has little or no financial support to provide. Please confer with the nominee upfront to determine whether s/he is able to make a commitment to use her/his own resources to successfully participate as a Jackson Scholar.
Institutions will ensure that selected scholars can navigate their internal institutional administrative process to successfully secure travel arrangements, registration fees, and other reimbursements in order to participate in the program. Selected scholars are expected to be proactive in navigating these processes and resources as soon as they are named as a Jackson Scholar. This necessary effort will alleviate any last minute challenges with securing funding and support for participation.
EXPECTATIONS & ROLE OF SELECTED SCHOLARS
Selected scholars will be expected to attend allfour program gatherings during the two-year program experience – two UCEA conventions and two AERA annual meetings/AERA Jackson Scholar Workshops.
It is imperative that first year Jackson Scholars participate in the UCEA Graduate Student Summit and First Year Jackson Scholar activities during the UCEA convention. If potential nominees have professional, personal or family conflicts with participation, it is strongly advised that the nominee apply in a subsequent year. If a nominee advises the UCEA office of such a conflict after acceptance into the program, the Associate Director of Jackson Scholars has the discretion to request the Scholar to defer or withdraw from the program. In order to receive the maximum benefit of the Jackson Scholars program, first year Scholars MUST fully engage and participate in these activities during the convention.
Second Year Jackson Scholars are expected to present short overviews of their research to date during the Thursday morning before the start of the UCEA convention. This Thursday morning session provides opportunities for Second Year Jackson Scholars to receive helpful feedback from conference attendees, including Jackson Mentors, UCEA faculty, and graduate students in attendance.
Jackson Scholars are expected to stay in communication with the assigned Jackson Mentor.
After the two-year program period, Jackson Scholars are considered Jackson Alumni and a part of the Jackson Scholars Network. Jackson Alumni often serve as mentors for future Jackson Scholars.
EXPECTATIONS & ROLE OF INSTITUTIONS
Institutionsare expected to nominate Jackson Scholar candidates based on the nomination criteria described above. Institutional representatives are urged to review this memorandum of understanding with candidates regarding the nominations process and the expectations and roles of candidates, institutions, and UCEA to ensure clarity of engagement with the Jackson Scholars program and UCEA.
Institutions are expected to discuss availability of funding sources for the first and second year of the program to ensure that candidates and institutions are in agreement regarding funding support by the institution and funding by the candidate, prior to the nomination process.
EXPECTATIONS & ROLE OF UCEA
The Jackson Scholars Program develops future faculty of color for the field of educational leadership and policy. The two-year program experience offers outstanding students of color mentoring, networking, and professional development intended to prepare them to be successful in the professoriate.
UCEA will provide a robust professional development program carefully crafted to meet the needs of developing scholars with aspirations for entering the professoriate. To support this overall goal, UCEA has created infrastructure that includes a website devoted to Jackson Scholars’ activities. Jackson Scholars will receive information from various list serves regarding graduate student opportunities, position announcements, etc. UCEA will provide opportunities for Jackson Scholars to network and meet with other graduate students, noted scholars, and professionals at UCEA conventions and UCEA-sponsored events.
UCEA will provide Jackson Mentors for Jackson Scholars. UCEA Jackson Mentors will provide guidance in professional development, a model for students to reference when assuming future mentor roles, and opportunities for networking. UCEA will monitor the mentoring process to ensure a good match between Scholars and Mentors.