This information contains the answers to the most commonly asked questions from university administrators, news and information, and tools and templates to help keep you efficient and compliant with the current LEO agreement. There is also detailed information about the LEO Professional Development Fund.
Academic Human Resources is in the process of updating information for this page to accurately reflect the 2024-2028 collective bargaining agreement. Please check back soon for the most current information.
This information is for the LEO Inclusive Teaching Professional Development Fund on the Ann Arbor Campus only.
For the Flint Lecturer's Inclusive Teaching Professional Development application, deadlines and other information, please see this PDF.
For the Dearborn Lecturer's Inclusive Teaching Professional Development application, deadlines and other information, please see this PDF.
The 2024-2028 collective bargaining agreement between the University and the Lecturers’ Employee Organization (LEO) provides for a designated fund called the Inclusive Teaching Professional Development Fund (the “Fund”) for LEO Lecturers on the Ann Arbor campus. This program will offer awards of up to $1,500 to eligible Lecturers each academic year, beginning Winter 2025*. The purpose of the Fund is to provide professional development funds for lecturers seeking to develop and enhance skills to better engage in inclusive teaching practices at the University of Michigan. It is funded by the Provost’s Office and applications are due May 15 of each year.
Sally Clegg, Stamps School of Art & Design
In the summer of 2023, I was awarded funding to attend a workshop for women and non-binary individuals at the SamBeauford Woodworking Institute in Adrian Michigan. As a LEO lecturer in the Stamps School of Art & Design, I have the privilege of guiding diverse groups of students through their first experiences in our woodshop. Unfortunately, bias and access challenges have resulted in unequal representation in many shop spaces, something that I experienced in my own education, and something I want to contribute to correcting. This professional development opportunity allowed me to deepen my own skill set for the benefit of all my future students.
Diane Aretz, Marsal Family School of Education
As a two-time LEO Inclusive Teaching Grant recipient, I am extremely grateful for the ways in which this grant impacted my teaching, and my students’ experiences in my classroom. With these funds, I was able to receive training in restorative justice practices in the classroom, and to develop a workshop on restorative classroom practices to my first-year interns, who are learning about (and learning to problematize) the notion of classroom management.
The beauty of what this award facilitated is that it helped me in my own work with students (I use restorative practices in my work as a teacher educator) and it gave my interns tools for building relationships and creating just and equitable classrooms in their work with students all over the world. Many of my students shared that the workshop of restorative justice was one of the most impactful experiences at UM, and it wouldn’t have been possible for me to provide this opportunity without the LEO Inclusive Teaching Grant.
What knowledge or skills will the Lecturer gain and bring to their teaching as a result of these funds?
What specific research, training, activities, or other resources will be accomplished with the funding?
How will the Lecturer utilize the knowledge, skills and other resources provided by the funding in their pedagogy to support a more inclusive learning environment?
What, if any, specific deliverables or results will the Lecturer be able to share regarding the enhanced inclusive teaching practices with a broader scholarly community?
Note: For the Ann Arbor campus, up to half of the Lecturer Inclusive Teaching Professional Development Fund money can be used to pay stipends to Ann Arbor Lecturers participating in the ODEI-CRLT Lecturer Inclusive teaching Fellows Program.
Online application, including signed statement from Chair/Director or Dean
Brief (1-2 page) description of the proposed inclusive teaching professional development activity that demonstrates how it will develop and enhance a Lecturer’s skills to better engage in inclusive teaching practices and specifically addresses each of the criteria above as well as demonstrate an understanding of the basic principles and goals of inclusive teaching. Applicants are encouraged to review CRLT’s inclusive teaching resources and strategies and CRLT's overview of inclusive teaching to aid in developing their application.
Itemized budget (including verification and allocation of any additional grants or funds also applied for and/or approved and/or received relevant to the content explored in this application). Approved budget items may include salary paid to the Lecturer in compensation for additional preparation and research required to meet the objectives of the proposed activity; salary paid to graduate or undergraduate students to provide project support; equipment; workshops, conferences, and training and related travel. Items not eligible for funding include but are not limited to community service, volunteer work.
Brief curriculum vitae
Applications must be completed, and submitted using the following link: Application. If a hard copy application is necessary, please contact Academic Human Resources at [email protected] or (734) 763-8938 to make necessary arrangements.
The applicant must provide the required materials listed above, and must obtain the signed statement from the Chair/Director or Dean.
Applications received by the May 15 deadline will be evaluated, and Applicants will be informed of decisions. Please contact Academic Human Resources at 734-763-8938 with questions about the application procedure.
Proposals will be reviewed by a committee consisting of faculty, Lecturers, and academic administrators.
Preference will be given to Lecturers who have been appointed for at least two semesters at the time the proposal is submitted.
The awards will be announced after timely review by the Committee.
This information is for the LEO Professional Development Fund on the Ann Arbor Campus only. Information for the Dearborn and Flint campuses is below:
Dearborn Campus Lecturer's Professional Development application, deadlines and other information
Flint Campus Lecturer's Professional Development application, deadlines and other information
Professional Development Fund for LEO Lecturers
The Professional Development Fund for LEO Lecturers began in September 2008. It is funded by the Provost’s office and calls for applications to be submitted four times per academic year, provided that all available funding has not yet been disbursed. Additional committee meetings will be scheduled if necessary. This program is separate and distinct from the CRLT program. Download a Word document of the application cover page.
The 2024-2028 collective bargaining agreement between the University and the Lecturers’ Employee Organization (LEO) provides a Professional Development Fund (the “Fund”) for LEO Lecturers on the Ann Arbor campus. Awards of up to $2,500 are available to eligible Lecturers each academic year. Eligible Lecturers may apply more than once per year if they initially apply for less than $2,500, and until they reach the $2,500 ceiling.
The purpose of the Fund is to promote teaching excellence and creativity through the support of Lecturer professional development. The Fund provides funding in support of activities that enhance Lecturers’ teaching at the University of Michigan. The Fund is not intended to provide a salary supplement to the Lecturer.
Any Lecturer who has an active appointment or who is on an approved leave of absence at the time a proposal is submitted may apply for an award from the Fund.
A successful applicant must also demonstrate that they have a reasonable belief they will hold an appointment beyond the time the award is disbursed.
The applicant must demonstrate that they have applied for any other professional development funding available within their academic unit(s) prior to submitting a proposal to the Fund.
Does the proposal offer a way for the Lecturer to enhance his or her command of his or her subject matter, provide for growth in the Lecturer’s teaching methods, or assist the Lecturer in developing, organizing and conveying course content?
Does the proposal offer enhancements for the development or implementation of innovative teaching and learning activities in the Lecturer’s academic unit?
Does the proposal offer a way for the Lecturer to share results of his or her work with a broader scholarly community?
Please ensure your proposal adequately addresses these criteria and is tied directly to the courses you teach.
Salary (for the Lecturer or employment of students or staff)
Membership in professional organizations
Subscriptions
Computers
Degree program tuition
Books
Architectural model making
Printing and printing materials
Fabrication costs
Facility rental
Course preparation materials and/or costs
Please note that the committee will consider funding material transportation costs and exhibition-related expenses if the proposal adequately demonstrates how these items conform to the selection criteria described above.
Application cover page (.docx), including signed statement from Chair/Director or Dean
Brief (1-2 page) description of the proposed professional development activity that demonstrates how it will contribute to successful teaching.
Itemized budget
Brief curriculum vitae
Applications must be submitted via e-mail (Microsoft Word or PDF format) to [email protected].
The applicant must provide the required materials listed above, and must obtain the signature of the Chair/Director or Dean.
Fall 2024 semester application deadlines*: September 27, November 15.
Applications for Fall 2024 semester awards must be submitted by no later than 5 pm on September 27, 2024 and/or November 15, 2024* for activities taking place between September 1, 2024 and August 30, 2025. Please contact Academic Human Resources or call 734-763-8938 with questions about the procedure. Please submit applications electronically as a single PDF.
Winter 2025 semester application deadlines*: January 24 and March 14.
Applications for Winter 2025 semester awards must be submitted no later than 5 pm on January 24, 2025 and March 14, 2025* for activities taking place between February 1, 2025 and September 30, 2025. Please contact Academic Human Resources at 734-763-8938 with questions about the application procedure. Please submit applications electronically as a single PDF.
Applications received after 5pm on the deadline dates will not be considered.
Proposals will be reviewed by a committee consisting of tenure-track faculty, lecturers and academic administrators.
Eligible Lecturers may apply more than once until the $2,500 ceiling is reached. However, depending on the volume of proposals, preference may be given to proposals submitted by applicants who have not previously received awards from the Fund.
The awards will be announced on or about:
Fall 2024 Semester: October 18 and December 13
Winter 2025 Semester: February 14 and April 4
*Due to the increased frequency of funding, funds may be exhausted prior to the deadline dates listed above.