Preparing Tomorrow’s Faculty Through FAME 2026

The Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering (BCOE) at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) hosted its 2026 Future Academics & Mentorship Excellence (FAME) workshop April 8-10, welcoming 30 postdoctoral scholars and Ph.D. candidates from institutions including UCLA, UC San Diego, UC Irvine, and Florida State University.

Over three days, participants stepped into the role of future faculty, presenting research, engaging with academic leaders, and navigating the complexities of the faculty hiring process. Designed to prepare the next generation of engineering educators and researchers, the workshop combined hands-on experience with mentorship and professional development grounded in this year’s theme, Human-Centric Engineering.

For many participants, the motivation to attend stemmed from a desire to better understand a process that often feels opaque.

“I aim to pursue a faculty career, and I saw this workshop as a valuable opportunity to better understand the application process, faculty interviews, and how to prepare for future academic positions,” said Dr. Mohd Bilal Khan, a postdoctoral researcher at Florida State University.

That preparation began immediately. On the first and final days, participants took part in mock faculty interviews that mirrored real-world campus visits. They delivered department seminars, met with faculty, and engaged in conversations with department chairs and college leadership, experiences designed to simulate the expectations of an academic hiring process.

For Ismael Villegas Molina, a doctoral candidate pursuing a teaching-focused career, the realism of those interactions stood out.

“The onsite interview was very helpful and felt true to life,” he said. “The interview with the department chair was especially insightful. He gave feedback as we went through the interview itself, giving me tips on what to say and what not to say.”

Between these immersive sessions, the workshop shifted to focus on the broader landscape of academic careers. Participants explored how to define a research agenda, secure funding, and build competitive application materials, critical steps in transitioning from graduate training to faculty roles.

For many, these conversations helped demystify the path ahead.

“I would like to go on the faculty job market in 1-2 years and have no first-hand experience with the process,” said Nicklas Hansen, a doctoral candidate. “The panels were super helpful, and I also enjoyed the mock interviews. I feel like I have a much better sense of what to expect now.”

The workshop also created space for participants at earlier stages of their academic journey to think strategically about long-term preparation. Lintong Cai, a doctoral candidate planning to pursue a postdoctoral position, found value in understanding how to build a competitive profile early.

“The workshop helped me understand what I should be doing during my postdoctoral training and how to prepare stronger teaching statements for a future faculty application,” Cai said.

Throughout the program, participants engaged with faculty mentors and peers across disciplines, reflecting the collaborative and inclusive environment that defines BCOE. Discussions extended beyond individual applications to broader questions about impact, purpose, and the role of engineering in society.

Aligned with the theme of Human-Centric Engineering, the workshop encouraged participants to connect their research to real-world challenges, from health and sustainability to responsible artificial intelligence, reinforcing the importance of designing solutions that serve people and communities.

Supported by the University of California Office of the President’s Advancing Faculty Diversity program, FAME continues to build a strong pipeline of future faculty by equipping emerging scholars with the tools, insights, and networks needed to succeed.

By the end of the workshop, what began as a learning experience had evolved into a clearer vision of the path forward.

“My long-term career goal is to pursue a faculty position in engineering, where I can contribute to both research and teaching,” he said. “I am particularly interested in working at the intersection of fundamental science and practical engineering applications, with a focus on areas such as transport phenomena, complex fluids, and magnetic separation technologies. Attending the FAME workshop was a highly valuable experience that provided meaningful insights into the academic career pathway.”

Through initiatives like FAME, BCOE continues to invest in the next generation of academic leaders, preparing scholars not only to enter the professoriate but to shape the future of engineering education and research.