For the past three years I have mentored Duke graduate students in the Graduate Program in Religion as part of the Preparing Future Faculty Program. This is exactly the kind of program I wish had been available during my own graduate training! Topics we have covered include teaching issues - pedagogy, designing a syllabus, textbook selection, students; teaching at a small, liberal arts institution; how to negotiate departmental and institutional politics; how to balance teaching and scholarship; publishing; tenure; the academy; cv’s, job searches, and interviews and anything else PFF scholars have brought up!

Most of all, I have enjoyed developing new friendships and professional relationships with the Duke students and I even ended up on one of their dissertation committees. If you know Jim Thrall, Kate Blanchard, or Jana Bennett – talk to them about their experiences with PFF, Elon, and me to get more information. I’m also happy to meet with anyone thinking about the program and trying to choose a mentor.