University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
PA-7: Support for Future Faculty Diversity

The Carolina Postdoctoral Program for Faculty Diversity (through the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research) is part of a continuing commitment to advance scholars from under-represented groups in higher education. The University makes available postdoctoral research appointments for a period of two years. The purpose is to develop scholars from under-represented groups for possible tenure-track appointments at UNC and other research universities. Postdoctoral scholars are engaged in full-time research and may teach only one course per fiscal year. The University, through the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, partners with MentorNet, a non profit network that connects mentors and mentees in engineering, science, and mathematics. MentorNet was created to foster the retention and success of women and under-represented minorities in particular, and pairs postdoctoral students with professionals in an email-based mentoring relationship. http://research.unc.edu/offices/postdoctoral-affairs/ The mission of the Equal Opportunity/ADA Office is to provide leadership and guidance in support of the University’s commitment to equal opportunity, affirmative action and diversity; effectively partner with leaders and members of the university community to promote equity and fairness in employment, education and university life; and continually advocate for a diverse, welcoming, and inclusive environment at UNC Chapel Hill. The University is committed to providing equal access to our employment environment, and ensures that all employment-related decisions are in accordance with the principles of equal opportunity. In addition to the services above, this office also serves UNC faculty and staff persons with disabilities or need for accommodations. The University has adopted a policy on Reasonable Accommodations in Employment. SPIRE - UNC-Chapel Hill's Seeding Postdoctoral Innovators in Research and Education program is an innovative postdoctoral fellowship program for Ph.D. scientists who are interested in balancing research and teaching careers. SPIRE's mission is to provide multi-dimensional professional development for science researchers and educators to succeed in academic careers, to bring engaging teaching methods into the classroom, and to increase diversity in science professions. While traditional postdoctoral experiences are one hundred percent research focused, SPIRE provides Fellows with a multi-dimensional experience that includes research and an opportunity to teach and mentor undergraduates at one of five minority serving institutions in North Carolina that partner with SPIRE. The program also offers professional development activities and workshops. http://spire.unc.edu/news/media/facts.html