Professorships

The School of Kinesiology honors distinguished faculty with Endowed Chair/Professorship and Collegiate Professorship appointments. These designations are among the highest awards a faculty member can receive and, in the case of endowment, serve as a tribute to the donor. The positions are awarded at the discretion of the Dean to recognize sustained excellence in research, teaching, and service to the School of Kinesiology, University of Michigan, and the broader community.

Collegiate Professorship Appointments and Renewals

Initial appointment of a Collegiate Professorship is made using the criteria below. Appointments may be up to 5 years and may be renewed. These are school funded Collegiate Professorships, and depending on the appointment and funding availability, holders may receive an annual stipend and/or research and travel support. Collegiate Professors, with School funding support for the position, will submit an annual report and update to the Executive Committee (EC) of the School of Kinesiology summarizing their activities related to the position. The report will be due by September 30th of each year.

In the last year of a faculty member’s Collegiate Professorship term, the faculty member will be reviewed by the Executive Committee (EC) of the School of Kinesiology for reappointment. The EC will base their discussion and renewal recommendation on the following materials:

• Faculty Annual Review (FAR) submissions (for the appointment period)

• Submitted Collegiate Professorship annual reports for the appointment period (for those receiving School funding)

• A 2 page (maximum) renewal letter from the faculty member attesting to how they met each of the specific criteria expectations – due at the time of FAR report submission in the year of reappointment.

Collegiate Professorship initial appointments are at the Dean’s discretion. All reappointments require approval of the Executive Committee of the School of Kinesiology.

The EC will discuss the contributions and criteria for reappointment below. Criteria for appointments and renewals as a Collegiate Professor in the SOK require contributions in all of the following areas:

1. Scholarly excellence: Evidenced by publication of research articles in reputable journals, presentations at conferences, books or book chapters, grants or awards received, and other scholarly activities that contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field.

2. Excellence in teaching: Evidenced by consistently high student evaluations, positive feedback from colleagues and administration, development of innovative teaching strategies, and a commitment to student learning and success.

3. Leadership and service to the School of Kinesiology and University of Michigan: Evidenced by participation in program, school, or university committees, leadership roles in academic programs or initiatives, mentoring of junior faculty or students, and other activities that contribute to the success and well-being of the School of Kinesiology community.

4. Contributions to the community: This may include outreach activities, media interviews, public lectures, collaborations with industry or non-profit organizations, and / or other ways in which the professor has demonstrated engagement with the broader community and contributed to the public good.

5. Alignment with the Core Values of the School of Kinesiology: The SOK approved core values include: collaboration, creativity, inclusion, integrity, and respect. Any faculty member holding a Collegiate Professorship position must exhibit personal and professional conduct aligned with the core values of the School.

If a Collegiate Professorship is renewed, the EC will recommend a term length (up to 5 years) and a reappointment letter will be provided to the individual holding the Professorship. If a Collegiate Professorship is not renewed, a notice of non-reappointment will be provided from the Dean within 60 days of renewal report submission to the individual holding the Professorship.

In the case of unprofessional conduct, see SPG 201.96, a Collegiate Professorship title may be removed from a faculty member at any time.

Reference document: Provost Office - Collegiate Professorships  provost.umich.edu/resources-policies/faculty-resources/honors-awards/collegiate-professorships

Endowed Chair Appointments and Renewals

Endowed Chairs/Professorship appointments may be up to 5 years and may be renewed. Selection of Endowed Chairs/Professors is based on the criteria described below. These are donor funded honorary positions, and faculty holding Endowed Chair / Professorship titles are required to engage and align with donor expectations and criteria. Funding support will cover a portion of the position and provide the appointee with discretionary funds. Endowed Chairs will submit an annual report and update to the Executive Committee (EC) of the School of Kinesiology summarizing their activities related to the position (e.g., how discretionary funds were utilized and how their work aligns with the goals of the Chair /donor legacy). The report will be due by September 30th of each year. Endowed Chair initial appointments are at the discretion of the Dean. All reappointments require approval of the Executive Committee of the School of Kinesiology.

In the last year of a faculty member’s Endowed Chair/Professorship term, the faculty member will be reviewed by the EC for reappointment. The EC will base their discussion and renewal recommendation on the following materials:

• Faculty Annual Review (FAR) submissions (for the appointment period)

• Endowed Chair/Professorship appointment letter (for any specific expectations)

• Endowed Chair/Professorship annual reports for the appointment period

• A 2-page (maximum) renewal letter from the faculty member attesting to how they met each of the specific criteria expectations – due at the time of FAR report submission in the year of reappointment.

Criteria for appointments and renewals as an Endowed Chair/Professorship in the SOK require contributions in all of the following areas:

1. Alignment with the intentions / spirit / legacy of the donors / endowment: The appointee will be required to provide an annual report evidencing the proper use of the discretionary funds provided by the donor. The report should illustrate the impact of the discretionary funds used during the reporting period.

2. Scholarly excellence: Evidenced by publication of research articles in reputable journals, presentations at conferences, books or book chapters, grants or awards received, and other scholarly activities that contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field.

3. Excellence in teaching: Evidenced by consistently high student evaluations, positive feedback from colleagues and administration, development of innovative teaching strategies, and a commitment to student learning and success.

4. Leadership and service to the School of Kinesiology and University of Michigan: Evidenced by participation in program, school, or university committees, leadership roles in academic programs or initiatives, mentoring of junior faculty or students, and other activities that contribute to the success and well-being of the School of Kinesiology community.

5. Contributions to the community: This may include outreach activities, media interviews, public lectures, collaborations with industry or non-profit organizations, and / or other ways in which the professor has demonstrated engagement with the broader community and contributed to the public good.

6. Alignment with the Core Values of the School of Kinesiology: The SOK approved core values include: collaboration, creativity, inclusion, integrity, and respect. Any faculty member holding an Endowed Chair / Professorship position must exhibit personal and professional conduct aligned with the core values of the School.

If an Endowed Chair/Professorship is renewed, the EC will recommend a term length (up to 5 years) and a reappointment letter will be provided to the individual holding the Chair/Professorship. If an Endowed Chair/Professorship is not renewed, a notice of non-reappointment will be provided from the Dean within 60 days of the renewal report submission to the individual holding the Chair/Professorship position.

In the case of unprofessional conduct, see SPG 201.96, an Endowed Chair/Professorship title may be removed from a faculty member at any time.