Suggestions for Developing NExT-like Programs in MAA Sections

The MAA Strategic Plan in Action encourages the development of Project NExT like experiences in the various MAA Sections. This is one aspect of the professional development activities of the MAA designed to reach more faculty in their early years in the profession. While the national Project NExT program has included 284 faculty representing 27 of the 29 MAA Sections, there are still many other faculty new to the profession who have been unable to participate. The MAA Sections can and will play an important role in encouraging these faculty to become and remain actively involved in the MAA and in the profession more generally.

At the present time, the Indiana, North Central, Southeastern and Texas Sections have NExT-like programs initiated. Conversations are underway with the Ohio, Louisiana-Mississippi, and Maryland-DC- Virginia Sections to inaugurate programs there. The Project NExT co-directors encourage all Sections to think about such activities in their regions. The current award from the Exxon Education Foundation includes funding to help Sections establish programs.

The following items are intended to give Sections a framework for thinking as they discuss establishing programs.

  1. Each Section should set its own eligibility requirements for participation in its project. These eligibility requirements do not have to be the same as those for the national program. For example, the national version of Project NExT accepts those just beginning or just completing their first year of full-time teaching at the college or university level. Section projects may wish to modify that restriction in order to reach more faculty in their region. Sections might wish to consider inviting participation from those who are within their first four years of full-time teaching.
  2. Fellows participating in the national version of Project NExT are expected to have a Ph.D. in one of the mathematical sciences and appointment in a mathematical sciences department. The latter restriction reflects the Project's goal of recruiting Fellows who are actively engaged in the teaching of undergraduate mathematics courses. Sections may wish to consider including those whose highest degree is at the master's level, particularly if they wish to attract faculty from two-year colleges.
  3. To the Fellows, one of the most important ingredients of the Project NExT experience has been the support and community fostered through their own electronic mailing list. We encourage that to be a critical component of any Section project. Although it is possible to house that list on the main machine at the MAA Headquarters, it might be more timely and prudent to maintain that list within the Section.
  4. At the national meetings, Fellows are identified through colored dots on their badges. We encourage the Sections to use that means of identification as well. To build the community further we are suggesting that all Sections adopt and agree to use "yellow dots" as a means of identifying their Section Fellows.
  5. As already noted, there are national Project NExT Fellows in almost all of the 29 MAA Sections. These new members of the profession are an extremely valuable resource for developing programs and activities that are important to those beginning the profession. Sections are encouraged to invite the national Fellows to participate in planning and organizing NExT activities at the local level.
  6. If the eligibility criteria for participation are met, an individual can be a Fellow at both the national and Section level. This would be one means for providing coordination and cooperation between the program efforts. Another suggestion might be to recruit national Project NExT Fellows from the Section to serve as consultants and leaders in the Section activities.
  7. NExT Fellows from either the national or Section level programs provide an important resource for the future leadership of the profession. These are energetic, enthusiastic, and accomplished professionals ready to contribute to the affairs of the Section. All Sections are encouraged to invite NExT Fellows within their regions to serve on Section level committees, help plan and organize meeting programs and activities, and to stand for election as Section officers.
  8. In developing a project for your Section, begin moderately and give significant responsibility to (national) Fellows who work at institutions in your Section. Survey the new faculty and department chairs in the Section to get information about the most important issues they would like to address. One model for doing this would be to appoint a Section NExT Coordinator (similar to the Section Student Chapter Coordinator) who would take responsibility for getting a Section NExT program started and reporting on its progress to the Section officers.
  9. Take into account that, within Sections, faculty from the same institution may wish to travel together to attend meetings. This may limit the extent to which NExT activities can require Section Fellows to arrive early for the Section Meeting, or remain after the end of the meeting.
  10. Think carefully about resources -- travel, special programming activities, and the time and commitment of the Section project coordinator. It takes considerable time and effort to advertise, screen applications, and prepare an appropriate program.