The NTC College Scholars Program engages high-achieving sophomores outside the classroom in cohorts led by Tulane’s faculty to provide meaningful intellectual connections between faculty and students. Faculty will lead groups of 10-15 high-achieving sophomores in a year-long focus of an interdisciplinary theme (e.g. inequality and empowerment, climate change, global health, technology and society, etc.). Examples of current cohorts are located on our College Scholars Cohort Themes webpage.
The application deadline for new faculty principals for fall 2025 is Thursday, November 21, 2024; please see below for our application timeline overview and more details.
College Scholars Faculty Principal Position Details
Faculty Principals meet with students outside of class at least once per month, attend our Fall Retreat as well as all-scholar events such as Community Dinners and our Spring Kickoff. Faculty Principals receive a $10,000 stipend each year and must sign on to a two-year term. In addition to the $10,000 annual stipend, each Faculty Principal will receive programming funds for their cohort activities, excursions, etc. More detailed information can be found in the sections below.
Faculty Principals should spend approximately 10-12 hours each semester hosting events for a small interdisciplinary cohort. These events may take the form of discussions and activities on campus or off-campus field trips. Some ideas include invited speakers, book discussions, film screenings, a trip to the theater, a trip to a museum, a public service activity, panel discussions of faculty and/or student research, and more. The purpose of the program is to foster common intellectual experiences amongst students outside the classroom. Faculty principals also participate in the Scholars application review process and College Scholars promotional events.
In addition to events, Faculty Principals should spend at least one hour weekly on planning/administration and communication.
Students are invited to bi-weekly Community Dinners with other College Scholars. Faculty Principals are expected to attend at least one of these dinners per semester, including leading one "Faculty Chat" over the course of the year. These events are informal gatherings with a meal (provided by NTC), and programming generated by NTC College Programs and the College Scholars Student Leadership Council. One purpose of these dinners is to encourage informal interactions between faculty and students.
Faculty principals should be available to College Scholars for specialized advising/mentorship. Scholars are expected to meet with Faculty Principals at least once each semester to discuss their college experience, research interests and career opportunities. These interactions may take the form of faculty office hours or informal meetings.
Faculty Principal Responsibilities and Expectations
- Attendance at a one-day orientation and planning meeting during Spring 2025 semester
- Participation in the Scholar selection process in Spring 2025
- Attendance at one meet-and-greet during Spring 2025
- Attendance at a weekend-long retreat (Friday, August 22 to Sunday, August 24 in New Orleans)
- Monthly events with your Scholars cohort every month classes are in session (7 to 8)
- Attend at least one Community Dinner a semester (provided by NTC) and facilitate one Faculty Chat per year
- Availability for one-on-one advising with student members of your cohort, taking the form of regular office hours or informal meetings
- One hour per week of planning, administration, communication
- Once a semester Faculty Principal team check-in meeting with NTC staff
- Attend group-wide signature events as schedule permits, especially the end of year gathering (date TBD).
- Communicate any individual student or cohort concerns to Senior Program Manager, including attendance and eligibility considerations.
- Use the enhancement form to make any requests for transportation, food, materials etc.
- Track budget and share any budgetary considerations not made via the enhancement form in a timely manner.
The College Scholars program is administered by Newcomb-Tulane College. Full‐time tenured, professors of practice, or tenure‐track or administrative professors (with the support of the Department Chair or supervisor) are eligible to serve as faculty principals.
Eligible faculty are invited to submit a letter of interest to Senior Program Manager of Cohort Programs, Justin Lamb, via our application form. In addition to discussing the faculty member's background and interest in the program, the letter of interest should include the following:
- A one- to two-paragraph cohort proposal that aligns with the College Scholars program vision and does not duplicate themes covered by existing College Scholars or other cohort-based opportunities.
- A list of proposed activities (field trips, guest lectures, etc.)
- A preliminary programming budget.
- Responses to the following questions:
- Faculty Principals serve as mentors to the students in their cohort. How would you describe your mentoring style? If possible, please use examples in your response.
- In addition to a social and intellectual focus, College Scholars also has a civic component and previous or current cohorts have focused on complex topics such as climate change and inequality in public health. Please share your approach to handling sensitive content with students and what justice means to you.
2025-2026 Application Timeline
- Monday, November 4, 2024: Application for proposals opens
- Thursday, November 21, 2024: Deadline for application submission
- December 2024: Decisions communicated to faculty
Terms and Conditions of Appointment
Faculty Principals are appointed for a two-year term.
