The American Association of Physics Teachers presents the TYC Leadership Institute an innovative fellowship specially designed for Two-Year College Physics faculty, aiming to develop and enhance their leadership skills. Building upon the solid foundation of previous TYC physics initiatives, the primary objective of this program is to nurture current and future leaders within the TYC physics community. By equipping participants with the necessary skills, the institute empowers them to advocate for and lead essential changes in STEM education at various levels, including the local (departmental, institutional), regional, and national levels. Join us in this valuable opportunity to become a catalyst for positive change in physics education!

Apply here! 

Application Deadline: October 9th

Following two successful cohorts in 2013 and 2015, the next cohort will meet in person at the 2024 AAPT winter meeting in New Orleans. 

Why should you join the Leadership Institute?

The Leadership Institute will involve experiential learning exercises and moderated discussions to foster leadership while addressing a range of skills from effective communication to work-life balance as you connect with other like-minded peers from across the nation. You will also have the opportunity to develop a capstone project, revolving around the development and execution of a strategic plan to address a critical issue in your context. 

There will be pre-workshop literature and discussions as well as mentoring before the one-day in-person portion of the institute to be followed by online sessions which will provide a regular cadence of mentorship to support you in implementing your capstone project. 

A few quotes from former participants: 

"I'm interested in starting a research program on our campus that allows for interdisciplinary collaboration between and within different departments. The culture of research currently does not exist at our college, and I'd like to do something to change that."

"I would like to walk away with at least one strategy for overcoming institutional and administrative inertia to continue the changes that are underway at my institution. We have energetic and innovative faculty, but are sometimes held hostage to perceived administrative policies..."

"I would like to be able to give physical science a stronger voice at our college. The main emphasis seems to be on biology and the physical sciences seems to losing ground on enrollment as well as new equipment purchases or professional development opportunities. I am not one to try to "rock the boat", but I would like to learn some strategies to improve the role of the physical sciences on our campus."

Apply here! 

Application Deadline: October 9th

For more information, contact us: OPTYCs @ AAPT.org

OPTYCs is the national Organization for Physics at Two-Year Colleges with a mission to provide a single venue to improve opportunities for networking, mentoring, professional development, educational research, and educational transformation at TYCs.