Dr. Robert Shoenberg Part Time Faculty Fellowship

Up to three Fellows may be selected for each fellowship cycle. Selected Fellows will receive:

• Funded release from teaching for one semester to complete an approved project
• An orientation to refine the project scope, timeline, milestones, and intended outcomes
• Mentoring and professional development support throughout the fellowship period
• Required monthly cohort meetings that provide guidance, peer feedback, problem-solving, and accountability
• Structured feedback on project progress and final deliverables
• Support preparing to share the completed project at the Shoenberg Fellowship Showcase
• An opportunity to present the completed work to the Montgomery College community and invited guests

The fellowship combines independence with support. Fellows will lead their own projects while participating in a structured community that helps them maintain momentum, address challenges, strengthen their work, and bring their projects to completion.

Each Fellow will complete a focused research-based project during the fellowship semester. Projects may reflect different disciplines, forms of scholarship, and professional interests. Each needs a research or inquiry component. Possible final products include:

• A research paper or publication-ready manuscript
• A curriculum, instructional resource, or teaching innovation
• A conference presentation or scholarly poster
• A creative or artistic work
• A digital project or resource
• A community-based initiative
• Another approved scholarly or professional product

Required Fellowship Deliverables

Regardless of project type, every Fellow will complete the following:

Refined Project Plan and Timeline  A finalized proposal identifying the project purpose, guiding question or area of inquiry, major activities, milestones, expected outcomes, and final product.

Monthly Progress Brief updates describing work completed, emerging findings, challenges, next steps, and any assistance needed.

Completed Fellowship Project  A substantive final product consistent with the approved proposal and appropriate to the Fellow’s discipline or area of inquiry.

Final Project Summary and Reflection  A written summary of the work completed, findings or outcomes, potential applications, professional learning, and plans for continuing or sharing the work.

Shoenberg Fellowship Showcase Presentation  A presentation of the completed project at an end-of-fellowship showcase for the Montgomery College community and invited guests.

Project changes. Any significant change to the approved project scope, timeline, or intended deliverables must be discussed with and approved by the fellowship director in advance.

Fellows will not be expected to complete their projects in isolation. Required monthly cohort meetings will provide a consistent structure for support throughout the fellowship semester. Fellows must attend and actively participate in these required monthly cohort check-in meetings. During the meetings Fellows will share progress, receive guidance, provide peer feedback, and identify action steps for the following month. Thus, Fellows will:

• Review progress toward project milestones
• Discuss questions or barriers affecting the work
• Receive feedback from mentors and other Fellows
• Identify resources or connections that may support the project
• Strengthen the final product and its potential impact
• Prepare to communicate the work effectively at the showcase

These meetings are an essential part of the fellowship experience and help ensure that each Fellow has the guidance, accountability, and encouragement needed to complete the proposed work successfully.

The Shoenberg Fellowship is intended for Montgomery College part-time faculty members who have a meaningful research, scholarly, creative, pedagogical, or applied project that can be completed during one semester and who would benefit from dedicated time and structured support.

Applicants must:

• Be employed as part-time faculty at Montgomery College
• Apply through the online fellowship proposal process
• Propose a feasible research-based project that can be completed during the fellowship term
• Be available to attend the required orientation, monthly cohort meetings, and culminating showcase
• Commit to completing all required fellowship deliverables

Preference may be given to applicants who:

• Hold a doctorate or other terminal degree in their field
• Have completed at least four semesters of teaching

Part-time faculty members may receive the Shoenberg Fellowship only once during their employment at Montgomery College.

Applicants will be asked to describe:

• The proposed project and its central purpose, question, or area of inquiry
• The importance of the project to the applicant’s discipline, teaching, students, the College, or the broader community
• The activities or methods that will be used to complete the work
• A realistic timeline with major milestones
• The intended final product
• How the fellowship will contribute to the applicant’s professional growth and future goals
• The mentoring, resources, or other support that may be needed

Applicants do not need to have every detail finalized before applying. Competitive proposals will present a meaningful idea, a manageable scope, a feasible plan, and a clear connection to the applicant’s professional development. Selected Fellows will receive assistance refining their plans at the beginning of the fellowship.

Recommended required application acknowledgment: By applying, I understand that, if selected, I will be expected to attend the fellowship orientation and monthly progress meetings, complete the approved project and required progress updates, submit a final project summary and reflection, and present my work at the Shoenberg Fellowship Showcase.