Adams Academy Fellowship

Elevate Your Practice. Deepen Your Impact.

The Adams Academy is a premier year-long fellowship at Michigan State University designed for educators who are ready to explore and share transformative approaches to teaching and learning. Honoring the legacy of Walter and Pauline Adams, this fellowship brings together a cross-disciplinary Community of Practice to foster instructional excellence across our campus.

Why Join the Academy?

The Academy is more than a professional development program—it is an investment in your growth as a leader in the MSU community. Fellows benefit from:

• Financial Support: A $3,000 professional development stipend to support your educator lifelong learning goals.
• Structured Growth: Monthly "pedagogy talks" and dedicated support from the Center for Teaching and Learning Innovation (CTLI).
• Collaborative Community: A chance to connect with a diverse cohort of peers for reflective inquiry and shared wisdom.
• Public Visibility: Showcase your evolution and impact by contributing to the #iteachmsu Commons, reaching the broader university audience.

The Fellowship Experience

The Adams Academy is not a passive seminar; it is a "Community of Practice" where you learn by doing. As a Fellow, you will participate in:

• Pedagogy Talks: Present a short, 10-minute "lightning talk" on a tool or technique you are using. These sessions are designed to spark dialogue and create a culture of accountability.
• Living Artifacts: Select a specific "artifact" of your work—such as a syllabus, an assessment, or a teaching philosophy—and refine it throughout the year. You will use peer feedback and "pause points" to evolve your work in real-time.
• Public-Facing Scholarship: Share your journey by authoring at least two pieces (a reflection and your final artifact) for the #iteachmsu Commons, supporting the growth of fellow MSU educators.

Blended Schedule

Our blended structure aims to support equitable engagement for educators across MSU’s ecosystem while establishing a cohort-level sense of community.

Who Should Apply?

We invite applications from all MSU educators, including faculty, academic specialists, advisors, and staff who teach or design learning experiences. We are looking for individuals who are:

• Invested in inclusive, learner-centered environments.
• Eager to innovate within their specific educational contexts.
• Committed to iterative growth and the public sharing of their professional work.

Apply for the 2026–2027 Cohort

Applications are submitted via a Qualtrics form. You will be asked to describe your educational context, your interests, and the specific "artifact" you wish to develop during the fellowship.

Selection Criteria: Submissions are reviewed based on alignment with Academy goals, readiness for cohort engagement, and a clear commitment to reflective practice.

What You’ll Need to Apply

Ready to join the Academy? Before you begin the online application, please have the following information and reflections prepared:

• Your current role, department, and years of experience at MSU.
• The name of your Supervisor or Chair who supports your participation.
• Context: A brief description of your teaching environment (class sizes, student population, and format).
• Reflection: A short summary of your current teaching philosophy, specifically how you approach equity and inclusion in your work.
• Goals: What do you personally hope to achieve during this fellowship?
• A "Living Artifact" Identify one specific item you want to improve or redesign this year. Note: You’ll be asked to describe its current state and how you plan to evolve it during the program.
• Commitment to the Cohort: You must be able to confirm your ability to attend monthly meetings, participate in peer reviews, and share two pieces of your work publicly on the #iteachmsu Commons.

Application available starting Feb. 12, 2026, closing Mar. 15, 2026.