“ASCEND offers a range of tools—from the pragmatic and philosophical—to navigate the ever-mounting commitments and opportunities of post-tenure life. The program not only provides invaluable guidance on how to define and achieve one’s professional goals, but how to attain the often elusive work-life balance.”
– Dr. Krista Thompson, Department of Art History
“I cannot say enough good things about the ASCEND program. It provides individualized help as well as providing a supportive community. This combination is synergistic and leads to measurable improvements in performance, outlook, and functionality.”
– Dr. Susan Hespos, Department of Psychology
Dear Colleagues,
During my tenure as associate vice president for research, I wanted to create a program that addresses the needs and aspirations of senior faculty. After tenure or other promotions, new professional opportunities, projects, and obligations come flooding in. As faculty members, how do we stay true to our ambitions and hopes, despite the growing pulls on our time and attention? How do we balance our careers with evolving personal commitments, passions, and demands? Our long-term efforts result in greater visibility, opportunities, and responsibilities that can often feel a bit overwhelming.
For the past two years, Northwestern’s Office for Research, in partnership with the Office of the Provost, has spearheaded the faculty excellence initiative called ASCEND. The program provides professors with new tools and resources to intentionally plan their post-promotion and mid-career research trajectories to ensure that their strategic goals are met despite increasing faculty demands. ASCEND also seeks to support faculty members in their pursuit of external funding for their work. Members participate in monthly workshops and receive one-on-one coaching from an executive academic coach. Academic coaching is a tool used by growing numbers of high-impact faculty who seek increased clarity and focus, increased accountability, better idea generation, and the best resources for productivity, strategic priority setting, and work-life balance.
The ASCEND program will run pending final budgetary approval and is open to (a.) associate professors and full professors and (b.) senior, non-tenure-track clinical and research faculty. Faculty members from all disciplines are encouraged to apply. ASCEND’s eight-month program (October 2020 – May 2021) will support a cohort of approximately 25 faculty from across the University. ASCEND participants will be required to attend workshops on the following dates from 9:00 to 11:45 a.m., with optional breakfast service beginning at 8:30 a.m.:
- Wednesday, October 7, 2020
- Wednesday, November 4, 2020
- Wednesday, December 2, 2020
- Wednesday, January 6, 2021
- Wednesday, February 3, 2021
- Wednesday, March 3, 2021
- Wednesday, April 7, 2021
- Wednesday, May 5, 2021
- Closing dinner, Wednesday, May 26, 2021 (6 p.m.)
To apply, please complete the online submission form by March 4, 2020. For more information about this program, please check out our website and send your inquiries to ascend@northwestern.edu.
Participation in the ASCEND program does not preclude faculty from simultaneously participating in the Society of Fellows and other faculty development programs.
I look forward to your response!
Warm regards,
Celeste Watkins-Hayes
Associate Vice President for Research
Professor of Sociology & African American Studies
Faculty Fellow, Institute for Policy Research