WISE Program

An Exciting Opportunity for Graduate Students beyond the Worcester State Community.

Experience Personal and Academic Growth with the Welcoming, Inclusive, and Supportive Environments (WISE) Program

Through a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education’s Higher Education Innovation Fund, Worcester State University will be sponsoring four Distinguished Graduate Fellows (DGF) for the Summer of 2023 (June 5 through August 9, 2023, with negotiable end date). The Distinguished Graduate Fellowship Program aims to support the career development of graduate students, especially those from BIPOC/ALANA communities, toward professorships in their fields.

Through the program, Distinguished Graduate Fellows will have the opportunity either in residence or remotely to work with a Worcester State University faculty member of their choice on a 10-week research or creative project (remote DGFs are requested to come to campus for the first two weeks of the program). Distinguished Graduate Fellows might pursue their own projects with expert faculty support and supervision or might join a project being pursued by a Worcester State University faculty member.

This program is open to any doctoral or MFA student in any US program outside of Worcester State doing research or creative work.

The program provides the following:

• for both residential and remote DGFs, a stipend of $6,000 for the 10-week term of the program, May 30 through August 3, 2023,
• for residential DGFs, campus housing and a food allowance of $150 per week for the 10-week period, May 30 through August 3, 2023,
• for remote DGFs, campus housing and a food allowance of $150 per week for the two-week residency period, May 30 through June 9, 2023,
• supervision and mentorship in each DGF’s field of study by a Worcester State University faculty member,
• participation in a career development program with two additional Worcester State faculty members.

Each Distinguished Graduate Fellow will receive intensive support informed by a focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice from their individual discipline-based supervisor-mentor. This relationship is designed to continue after the summer as a complement to the advising and other support from the DGF’s home department and institution.

In addition, the cohort of DGFs will work with two career development mentors over the program on broader career development, which will include support developing a career plan; navigating the complexities of academia and its institutions, with particular attention to the barriers, obstacles, challenges, and opportunities for BIPOC/ALANA faculty; and other career issues.

The deadline for applications is 3 pm on Thursday, May 4, 2023. Notifications of decisions are expected to be sent by Friday, May 12, 2023.

Apply: Begin Your WISE Program Application