Visiting Professors Program - Student Equity and Engagement Center

The Martin Luther King, Jr. • César Chávez • Rosa Parks Visiting Professors Program was created by the Michigan State Legislature in 1986 as part of the larger King•Chávez•Parks Initiative. The legislative intent was to stem the downward spiral of college graduation rates for students underrepresented in postsecondary education.  Michigan’s KCP Visiting Professors Programs is intended to increase the number of instructors in the classroom to provide role models for academically or economically disadvantaged students.  Institutions should encourage applications from applicants who would otherwise not be adequately represented in the faculty.

The Talent Investment Agency - Workforce Development Agency and the King•Chávez•Parks Initiative provide oversight and technical assistance to the Visiting Professors Programs.  Visiting Professors Program Coordinators and their colleagues at the university are invited and encouraged to attend other KCP Initiative sponsored activities such as the “Equity within the Classroom” conference held annually in March.

Preference may not be given to visiting faculty on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, gender, or national origin.  Visiting Professors should be selected for their ability to contribute to a unique perspective that lends itself to helping the target audience become active participants in a knowledge-based global economy. 

The University Representative for the Visiting Professors program MUST submit all applications to the KCP Initiative for pre-approval. 

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

•  VP Award Recipient Selection
  •  Each VP Program shall develop and utilize an application process for interested individuals to apply for a VP award to fund the instructor for a proposed course or event.
  • The VP program will submit the application for its selected recipient, including selection justifications (described below) to the KCP Initiative for pre-approval prior to the commitment or disbursement of VP funds.
• The VP program funds classroom instructors to serve as role models for academically and/or economically disadvantaged students that can present a perspective that may not have been adequately represented among the ranks of the faculty.
  • The KCP Initiative interprets “classroom” to include various locations on the university campus at which the event/course is being presented (e.g. auditorium, stadium, campus lawn).  Special requests for an off-campus event/course may be presented to the KCP Initiative for consideration.  Such requests shall include a justification of why the event will be held off-campus and transportation options that will not create attendance barriers for the target audience.
  • The KCP Initiative interprets “instructor” to include individuals deemed by the university to be subject matter specialists and/or experts in their field.
  • Prior to approval, VP program representatives shall provide to the KCP Initiative a justification statement (1-2 sentences) explaining how academically and/or economically disadvantaged students will be included as the target audience for the event/course being funded.
  • Prior to approval, VP program representatives shall provide to the KCP Initiative a justification statement explaining how this instructor presents a unique perspective not already adequately represented among the faculty.
• Preference for the VP program award recipients many not be given to visiting faculty on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, gender or national origin.  Universities should encourage applicants who would not otherwise be adequately represented in the faculty to apply and will not focus on recruitment of international representatives.
• An applicant for the VP program award shall provide to the university the following information with respect to any prior KCP VP award at the time of application:
  • The name of each institution where the applicant has served in a VP capacity.
  • Courses/events instructed/presented at each institution.
  • The dates during which the applicant served as a VP at each institution.
•  General Provisions
  •  The VP program will acknowledge support from the Talent Investment Agency/Workforce Development Agency’s King*Chavez*Parks Initiative in all program printed and digital materials, programs/activities, and/or marketing information.
  • The VP program/University agrees to comply with all pertinent federal and state regulations and legislation involving civil rights, equal opportunity, and affirmative action including (but not limited to ) Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Act No. 453, Michigan Public Acts of 1976, and Michigan Proposal 2 of 2006. 
  • The VP program/University is responsible for providing and maintaining customary institutional liability protections and “hold harmless” provisions, at all times, for all VP Program persons and property (as provided to any and all regular programs of the institution).
  • News releases that discuss the VP program require prior approval and specific written directions from the TIA/WDA.
  • The KCP initiative office requests copies or notifications of press coverage of VP programs or activities so that the news can be shared with TIA administration.
  • The university shall retain all financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other pertinent records for a period of no less than seven (7) years from the date of the last transaction related to a recipient’s record.

Acceptable uses for the VP program state and matching funds:

• Salary or honorarium paid to the instructor.
• Travel expenses, such as transportation and lodging for the instructor.
• Other direct costs, such as food or special accommodations (deemed necessary) for the instructor.
• Indirect costs, such as rent, utilities, and custodial, are NOT allowable expenses for the VP program. Neither advertising nor AV costs are allowable expenses.

If approved for funding, the requesting Department, Student Organization, or individual requesting this funding is responsible for completing all contracts, travel and hotel arrangements, room reservations and AV rentals, etc. for this event.  Copies of all documentation MUST be provided to the University’s Visiting Professor Program Representative within two weeks after the event.  Include an exact number of students served.

If you would like to apply, click here for the application.