Click on poster to Zoom in or download here: Aspire 2023 Poster_FINAL
Download Outcomes Report: UCLA Aspire Outcome Report_2023
The NSF INCLUDES Aspire Alliance Southern California Regional Collaborative is a network of 2- and 4- year institutions. Many instructors in the CCs are alumni from UCs and students transfer into the UC system from CCs, creating a regional ecosystem of instructors and students. Prior to our engagement in Aspire there was no formal training available for UCLA’s postdoctoral scholars and graduate students interested in pursuing a career in teaching at a CC. In speaking with CC leaders, it was clear that experience teaching in the CC classroom was crucial for these individuals to be competitive applicants for FT positions. UCLA participated in the CIRTL INCLUDES DDLP, identifying 4 regional teaching practicum programs that would address this need. These programs became key partners.
Over the past 5 years, UCLA has led many events bringing together these regional CC and UC faculty and administrators. Special events, ongoing webinar series, informational sessions, and career panels supported future faculty in learning about CC careers. From 2020-2022 there were a total of 20 interns that participated in UCLA’s Aspire2Teach and 45% are still teaching in the region.
A mixed methods approach was developed to survey and interview Aspire2Teach participants who reported sustained interest in community college careers after completion and expressed an increase in their knowledge, confidence, and pedagogy skills related to teaching in the community college setting. Interns also specified that the Aspire program activities were beneficial to their teaching training, career development, and in providing a sense of community.
Our network also surveyed past participants across 5 distinct programs. The majority who reported that they currently hold a teaching role have remained in Southern California. Specifically, 43 respondents (46%) are teaching in two- or four-year colleges and universities in the Southern California region, compared to four who are teaching outside of the region. With high representation of Black, African American, Latino/a, and Chicano/a interns, this further indicates that participants of these programs are remaining in the region and contributing to shifts in faculty demographics as they take teaching positions at local community colleges. Our manuscript titled “Regional Teaching Mentorship Programs as a Change Lever for Increasing Faculty Diversity Across 2-Year Colleges in Los Angeles and Orange Counties” is in review and will be added here once available.
Sustainability: Annual events continue through UCLA’s CIRTL program (institutionally funded). Regional relationships remain strong and collaborations continue. We will pursue additional funding as we continue supporting our future faculty in successfully transitioning to careers at our regional CCs.
Information on UCLA’s Aspire2Teach and Aspire2Lead
Aspire2Teach
This program trains and prepares graduate students and postdoctoral fellows interested in teaching at a community college for part-time and full-time faculty positions. Interns engage in a series of institutes on inclusive teaching, professional learning opportunities, and classroom training under the guidance of a mentor in their specific discipline.
Aspire2Teach
In conjunction with the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) and the Center for Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL) the Aspire Alliance California Regional Collaborative offers the Aspire2Teach internship for future community college leaders and faculty.
The Aspire2Teach internship offers graduate students and postdocs, including CIRTL Scholars. Practitioners and Associates, interested in teaching or administrative positions the opportunity to learn more about faculty life and governance within the Los Angeles Community College District. This internship particularly emphasizes the need to increase the pool of underrepresented candidates in community college stem teaching positions that will reflect the diversity of the student body. The program offers a series of institutes on inclusive teaching, professional learning opportunities, and classroom training under the guidance of a mentor in their specific discipline.
Aspire internships offered stipends and additional resources for all participants, with the goal of closing the opportunity gap and fostering the next generation of community college leaders and stem faculty.
Aspire2Lead
In conjunction with the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) and the National Science Foundation funded INCLUDES Aspire Alliance, the California Regional Collaborative offers the ASPIRE2Teach internship for future community college leaders and faculty.
The Aspire internship offers graduate students and postdoctoral scholars interested in teaching or administrative positions the opportunity to learn more about faculty life and governance within LACCD.
To explore the Aspire internship and other regional internships available click the learn more button below.
Information on Regional Teaching Practicum Programs
ProjectMATCH – Los Angeles Community College District
The Los Angeles Community College District, comprised of nine area community colleges, offers Project MATCH as a program to prepare and recruit a diverse community college faculty who are sensitive to the needs of the students and community it serves. The goals of the program are to improve the diversity pool of faculty in the District, for our interns to become role models reflecting that diversity in the District, and to better reflect the diversity of the community around the biggest community college district in the United States of America. View website.
Coast Community Colleges – Teaching Internship with Experienced Support (T.I.E.S.)
In the Teaching Internship with Experienced Support (T.I.E.S.) Program, the Coast Community College District seeks graduate students and professionals in the field who are interested in teaching at the community college level. T.I.E.S. interns collaborate with full-time, discipline-specific Coast Community College District (CCCD) faculty members, who serve as formal mentors. Through the mentor/intern relationship, T.I.E.S. interns gain first-hand observational and guided instructional experience; insight into course and lesson planning, student engagement techniques, and best practices for classroom management; and opportunities to shape and connect with the community college culture.
The T.I.E.S program encourage applicants who are committed to student success, inclusive practices, and equitable outcomes. Visit their website to learn more.
(T.I.E.S.) Testimonial
Faculty Diversification Fellowship – Bakersfield College
Bakersfield College is a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) with 67.93% of students enrolled identified as Hispanic in the 2018-2019 Academic Year.
The Faculty Diversification Fellowship will provide post-baccalaureate students interested in teaching in a 2-year college with an opportunity to participate in a Faculty Fellowship Program. This program will provide candidates a mentorship collaboration with a Bakersfield College faculty. In addition, candidates will gain exposure to the community college culture, including best practices for teaching and supporting the diverse group of students enrolled at Bakersfield College.
For more information, please visit the Faculty Diversification Fellowship website.
Future Instructors in Training Program (College of the Canyons)
The Future Instructors in Training Program (FIT) provides a unique opportunity for qualified individuals to explore and develop a career in community college instruction through a paid internship program with the Santa Clarita Community College District. The FIT Program seeks to address diversity needs of the region by preparing our interns to become exemplars, as community college faculty, of the inclusive and sensitive teaching practices reflective of the diversity of our students and the community.
The FIT program is always looking for dynamic instructors that can offer our students new perspectives as well as long developed experience. The FIT Program combines pedagogical trainings with mentorship and hands-on classroom experience, providing invaluable training through participation in projects and assignments that allow for the practical application of academic knowledge and the development of skills necessary for a career in higher education. The program is open to all qualified applicants who meet the State Minimum Qualifications in the subject area in which they are interested in completing their internship.
For more information, please visit the Future Instructors in Training website.
UC Irvine’s CCCIP (for UCI Grad Students)
University of California Irvine’s California Community College Internship Program (CCCIP) provides UCI graduate students with an opportunity to have a teaching experience at a local community college.
A traditional graduate degree from a research institution generally does not provide the student adequate preparation for a career choice of teaching in a community college. The CCCIP addresses this need and gives students an opportunity to experience firsthand what teaching in a community college environment is all about. More information about next year’s program is available in the CCCIP flyer. To apply for the program next year, please see the CCCIP Application.