Postdocs expand skills and networks with HSRU Postdoc Fellowship Program
Introduction
Postdoctoral researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have the opportunity to participate in the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities (HSRU) Postdoctoral Fellowship Cohort Program. The HSRU Postdoc Program offers professional development and networking for postdocs interested in pursuing tenure-track positions at research-intensive Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), like UIC.
A postdoc position gives researchers time to hone their skills and determine their research interests. While beneficial for their careers, it can also be an isolating experience, as many postdocs are the only ones in their labs and are on a different timeline than students and faculty. The HSRU Program helps mitigate this through networking, coffee chats and site visits to other participating HSIs.
“Part of the benefit is that you're able to have a cohort of people who are all different come together and reflect on what we're learning, what we're going through,” said Michelle Villegas-Downs, a UIC postdoc who visited the University of Arizona on a site visit. “I think just being a part of a group who values having a lot of diversity in a school system is encouraging.”
The HSRU shares resources and best practices, allowing member institutions to expand their impact beyond what they could do alone. This is reflected by the postdocs involved in the program, who can grow their academic leadership, find community and kickstart their next chapters.
“I have gotten to delve deeper into the Hispanic Servingness Framework and learn the language to better articulate the type of institution I am committed to pursuing a career in,” said Sabrina Jamal-Eddine, a UIC postdoc who visited Arizona State University. “Having a support network of mentors and peers similarly committed to belongingness in academia, particularly throughout the tenure track job search, has been invaluable.”
UIC hosted a site visit for Liliana Bravo from Texas A&M University. While on campus, Bravo met with faculty members who had participated in the Bridge to Faculty Program, other postdocs and researchers in fields of interest. She was also brought on a tour of campus and a networking lunch.
“Everyone I met took time from their very busy work schedules to host me, to listen to me and to encourage me,” said Bravo. “This visit reminded me that there is no single path to becoming faculty. It also reminded me that I am not alone in figuring it out. And maybe most importantly, it helped me start to see my own journey in a more positive light.”
The HSRU Postdoc Program expands and strengthens the research community. By providing postdocs with the resources they need to be successful at HSIs, the program is shaping future researchers, teachers and mentors, ultimately leading to greater innovation and discovery.
“The work that the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities does is important,” said Villegas-Downs. “They're giving us the tools that we didn't know we needed.”
Two UIC postdocs are participating in the second HSRU Program cohort, which will kick off in August. To learn more about postdoc opportunities at UIC, please visit the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs website.