Adapted from the work of Walker, G. E., Golde, C. M., Jones, L., Bueschel, A. C., & Hutchings, P. (2009). The formation of scholars: Rethinking doctoral education for the twenty-first century (Vol. 11). John Wiley & Sons.
Leading Engineering as Agents of Change and Equity (LEGACY)
Founded by Ohio State College of Engineering Dean Ayanna Howard, the LEGACY Postdoctoral Scholars Program was established to prepare and diversify the next generation of engineering leaders in academia.
Why Ohio State
A unique feature of the LEGACY Postdoctoral Scholars Program at Ohio State is its focus on intersectional mentorship. Scholars and mentors will engage in authentic conversations that promote a culture of inclusivity.
Additional program features include:
Engagement with professional and personal mentors
Participation in a two-year cohort with other LEGACY postdocs
Establishment of a community co-created by scholars
Professional development in areas of need for success as a tenure-track faculty
Formative and summative professional feedback about progress
Transition to a faculty position in the College of Engineering
Our Goals
Diversity
Increase the number of underrepresented minority postdocs who transition to faculty positions in the college
Mentoring
Establish quality mentoring relationships that advance the careers of scholars
Research
Enhance the research, teaching and service portfolios of scholars
Community
Build and enhance scholarly communities in their fields, the college and the university
Message from our Dean
Co-developed, personalized postdoc mentoring plan with targeted goals
Inclusion in daily aspects of engineering department cultures
Training in grants creation and management, research program development, and career mapping
Internal and external networking opportunities to advance scholarship and professional brand
One-on-one coaching throughout experience
Formative feedback and updates in biweekly meetings
Annual mentor team evaluations
Each scholar should identify 2-4 potential Ohio State mentors in the following categories:
Primary: research area
Secondary: teaching or service area
Intersectional: aligned with your identity(ies)
Suggestions for Contacting Faculty
Co-creating an effective and inclusive mentoring program begins with establishing quality mentoring relationships from the beginning. To identify potential mentors, scholars should email 2-4 Ohio State faculty and express your interest in the LEGACY Postdoctoral Scholar Program. Be sure to submit your CV and at least one sample publication. View this guide for some helpful insights on intersectional mentoring in the college.
When a faculty mentor contacts you, schedule a phone call, in-person meeting or Zoom meeting to engage in a conversation about mentor/mentee alignment. If there is not a match, ask for a recommendation for another faculty mentor at Ohio State who might not have been on your initial list. Remember, as part of the application process, you must list primary, secondary and intersectional mentors. Please contact Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Lisa Barclayif your web search does not lead you to a mentor with whom you visibly identify.
Salary: $65,000 + benefits
Stipends: $4,000 for research; $500 for professional development
Moving expenses: reimbursement up to $2,500
To view the LEGACY Scholars position description or to apply, visit the application website.You will be asked to submit the following materials:
Cover letter addressing your research interests and qualifications;
Current curriculum vita;
Two professional references (contact information only);
2-4 names of possible primary, secondary, and intersectional Ohio State mentors (see Mentoring section above); and
Please direct questions about the LEGACY program to Dr. Monica Cox (cox.1192@osu.edu), director of the LEGACY Postdoctoral Scholar Program, with the subject line, “LEGACY Postdoctoral Application.”
The first round of application screenings will begin immediately and will continue until all LEGACY Postdoctoral Scholars are selected. LEGACY Postdoctoral Scholars for the 2021-2022 academic year cohort are expected to join Ohio State in fall 2021, but no later than January 2022.
