Scholarship & Teaching Excellence Program (STEP)
New assistant professors at Texas State University are expected to participate in the Scholarship and Teaching Excellence Program. The program consists of sessions dedicated to ensuring a solid foundation for research productivity, strengthening teaching and scholarship, creating an awareness of various university resources, and addressing the tenure and promotion process. The goals of the program are to inspire strong performance as well as to instill a sense of community among the new faculty on campus.
Program Details
All interested faculty members need to first sign the STEP agreement to participate in the program. Upon satisfactory completion, participants receive a certificate and $600 that can be used solely for scholarly activity that contributes to your career growth at Texas State during the next academic year.
Please note that postdoctoral scholars are welcome to join the STEP program but are not required to, and are not eligible for the stipend at the end of the program.
Schedule of Sessions
The sessions take place on Fridays and typically begin at noon and last until approximately 3:00 p.m. To complete the program, you must attend all five STEP sessions. If needed, you may substitute an approved makeup activity for one STEP session by requesting an exception. You will not be eligible to receive the stipend or a certificate of completion if you do not fulfill this minimal requirement.
Please contact our office at facultydevelopment@txstate.edu or 512.245.2112 if you have any questions about the program.
- STEP 1 - September 13, 2024
- STEP 2 - October 18, 2024
- STEP 3 - November 15, 2024
- STEP 4 - February 7, 2025
- STEP 5 - March 21, 2024
STEP Agreement
STEP Exception
Stipend Policy and Expenditure
Objective
The Scholarship & Teaching Excellence Program stipend for STEP graduates* who completed all eligibility requirements to support scholarly activity that will contribute to their career growth at Texas State. The funds awarded for completing STEP are different from funds awarded by your department or school. This application does not take the place of travel or purchase approval requests through your department, college, or the university.
*Postdoctoral Scholars are welcome to join the STEP program but are not required and are not eligible for the STEP funds at the end of the program.
Policies
- All applications should be completed a minimum of two weeks in advance of the upcoming event or scholarly activity. These funds cannot be used for reimbursements after the fact and must be applied for in advance.
- Submission of the application does not constitute approval.
- You must wait for the response approving the activity or purchase before using the funds.
- All scholarly activity must occur between September 1 of the year the program is completed and August 31 of the following year.
Expenditure of Funds
Once you know how you would like to use the funds, fill out the application with specific details on how the funds will be used and how it will benefit your scholarly work or creative activities. The STEP funding will arrive in your departmental account around October 1, 2024, once the transaction is completed, we will send a confirmation email to you and your department administrative assistant and/or budget specialist. Please work work with your department administrative assistant is using your funds towards your scholarly activities.
