Teaching Assistant Fellows
MEET OUR CURRENT SPRING 2026 TAF MEMBERS
TheÌý³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ BiologyÌýTeaching Assistant FellowsÌý(TAF)ÌýprogramÌýprovidesÌýan alternative instructional constructÌýfor undergraduateÌýbiologyÌýcourses.Ìý The program aims to provide graduate students enrolled in the MS in Integrative Biological Diversity program with opportunities to receive pedagogical and biological training and toÌýbuild communityÌýwithin the department.Ìý Each fellow will assist with instruction of BIO100 Concepts of Biology laboratory for non-majors, with guidance and support from the TAF program coordinator (a designated biology faculty member who is also the Instructor of Record for the course). Fellows will be expected to:
- Attend pre-semester and weekly trainings.
- Teach oneÌýor twoÌýsections ofÌýBIO100 Lab, closely following the curriculum set by the Instructor of Record, including, but not limited to, the syllabus, texts and materials, and other class activities.ÌýÌý
- Contact the Instructor of Record well in advance concerningÌýany absences or latenessÌýdue to emergencies, illness, and other extenuating circumstances, andÌýexplain the arrangements made to cover the class.Ìý
- HaveÌýat least two full classes visitedÌýby the Instructor of Record, who will evaluate theÌýTAF’s teaching usingÌýthe approved evaluation criteriaÌýandÌýmake recommendations to the Department Chair for renewal.ÌýÌý
- Address comments/concerns raised by Instructor of Record after in-person class evaluations.Ìý
- Communicate promptly and clearly with students, the Lead Instructor, the Department Secretary, and the Department Chair.Ìý
- Provide feedback about TAF experience to Dept. Chairperson via theÌýTAF Experience Evaluation Form.ÌýÌý
Each TAF will receive $2,400 per section of BIO100 lab taught (up to $4800 per semester), per the graduate assistant university guidelines.Ìý
In addition to a stipend award, full-time graduate students (enrolled in nine credits or more per semester) have the following fees waived:
- State University Fee
- University General Fee except for that portion attributable to student accident insurance
- Student Activity Fee
If you are interested in applying for the TAF program, complete the Graduate TAF ApplicationÌýand submit it to the Program Coordinator(s), at ibdcoordinator@wcsu.edu, no later than March 15 (for Fall fellowships) or October 15 (for Spring fellowships).
If you have not received a Teaching Assistant Fellowship before:ÌýApplication_NEW_TAFÌý
If you are a returning Teaching Assistant Fellow:Ìý Application_RETURNING_TAF
TAF TIMELINE
ÌýTAF applications & GA Assistantship applications are due
Mar 15 (Fall Awards) and Oct 15 (Spring Awards)
SPRING APPLICATIONS FORÌýFALL AWARDS:
March 15:ÌýTAF and GA applications for Fall dueÌýto grad program chair.Ìý ÌýÌý
April 1 – 30: Grad program/TAFÌýreviewÌýand discussion of applications.ÌýÌýDecideÌýon awardees.
May 15 (or by last day of spring semester):ÌýDeadline by which we notify TAF/GA awardeesÌýof their fellowship opportunities (accepted or denied) with official letter or email (see TAF letter attached; suggest we consider modeling a similar GA letter after this?)
May 31:ÌýDue date for awardee students to submit commitmentÌýto accept or deny fellowship offer (Can be submitted by student via MS Forms)
June 30:ÌýDue date for grad program to notify Provost’s officeÌýabout Fall GA and TAF awardees.
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FALL APPLICATIONS FORÌýSPRING AWARDS:
August 21-25 (or week before classes begin):Ìý All fellows/GAs are required to be on campus for orientation/paperwork/training/etc.
Oct 15:ÌýÌýTAF and GA applicationsÌýfor Spring due to grad program chair.
Oct 16-30:Ìý Grad program/TAFÌýreviewÌýand discussion of applications.ÌýÌýDecideÌýon awardees.
Nov 1:ÌýDeadline by which we notify TAF/GA awardeesÌýof their fellowship opportunities (accepted or denied) with official letter or email.
Nov 20:ÌýDue date for awardee students to submit commitmentÌýto accept or deny fellowship offer (Can be submitted by student via MS Forms).
Dec 1:ÌýDue date for grad program to notify Provost’s officeÌýabout Spring GA and TAF awardees.