About the Faculty Track Program

The Compass Faculty Track is open to all faculty and lab leaders across research disciplines in the United States. A career in academia requires researchers to mentor trainees and lead teams to conduct excellent science while juggling the demands of supervising people, managing projects, writing papers and grants, and so much more – all while trying to build and maintain a satisfying career and a fulfilling life. Compass offers essential knowledge, skills, and tools to navigate these challenges.

The Compass Faculty Track is delivered remotely, allowing for flexibility and removing the need for travel. Because learning and mentoring occur over several weeks, Scholars can practice and apply learning on the job, leading to real impact. Faculty learn with peers at institutions across the United States and receive advice from Compass Mentors in conversations facilitated by Compass leadership called “Fireside Chats”. We seek people from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and disciplines to join our community.

We believe that the essential skills and resources needed for career success should be available to all – not left to guesswork.

The biggest impact of participating in Compass has been the growth in my self-awareness and ability to recognize and strengthen my leadership skills. I’ve also seen meaningful improvements in my communication—especially in navigating difficult conversations.
– Faeq Quadri, Texas Tech University of Health Sciences – El Paso

I loved seeing this leadership and management scholarship and guidance clearly laid out in a digestible way and straightforward to apply. It took…the mystery out of this aspect of the academic job that few seem able to articulate. It gives me confidence and assurance to have a library of resources…and a peer mentoring team to discuss concerns and questions.
– Safiyyah Okoye, Drexel University

The managing conflict/difficult conversations content was helpful. I looked it up for a conversation that I needed to have. I also changed my lab meeting structure; in addition to our team meetings, I have 30-minute weekly meetings with my PhD students. I’ve noticed that I have been able to identify potential issues sooner and…hear more about what is going on.
– Kendra Kamp, University of Washington

The lab manual has been an invaluable resource…to help new and prospective lab members get acquainted with the lab and understand our mission, goals, expectations, and policies. I have received great feedback about my lab manual and continue to update and share it. This was one of the most fantastic resources…from this program.
– Rebekah Huber, Oregon Health & Science University

Having dedicated time to think about lab management, something not traditionally taught, and to work through the lab manual helped me clarify how I want to build my [future] lab.
– Katherine Mifflin, Ohio State University College of Medicine

Apply to Faculty Track

What Faculty Learn

Faculty learn and practice skills for leading and managing research, mentoring trainees, and building a high-functioning team. These practices are presented in 3 units, each 3 weeks in duration.

Unit 1: Leading Others focuses on the difference between leadership and management, how to cultivate trust and psychological safety, creating a productive work environment, and implementing interpersonal skills such as active listening and assertive communication.

Unit 2: Managing Scientific Work focuses on managing people, creating shared expectations, hiring and interviewing, onboarding and training, handling performance problems, and implementing skills such as giving feedback and having difficult conversations.

Unit 3: Leading Self focuses on understanding oneself, interacting with mentors, building a network, minding institutional politics, defining boundaries, how to say “no”, managing stress and well-being, and employing a strategic decision-making process amid uncertainty.

What Faculty Get

Our three-volume Faculty Compass Coursebook with Toolkits containing comprehensive learning material and practical advice spanning leading others, managing scientific work, and leading self. Written in an approachable style and designed to be visually appealing, the Coursebook offers a guide and toolkits for faculty to consult again in the future.
A customizable Lab Manual Template to communicate the guiding values, expectations, policies, and procedures for the research lab or team. This tool assists faculty with defining the kind of research environment they want to create and conveying this vision to create a shared understanding.
Live Fireside Chats with experienced mentors at universities across the U.S. to engage and ask questions in an informal, welcoming environment facilitated by Compass leadership. Topics span leading, managing, mentoring, a career in research, wellness, and more. Scholars also gain access to a library of past Fireside Chat recordings.
A Peer Mentoring Team of other faculty in varied disciplines from throughout the U.S. Teams receive a comprehensive guidebook that offers suggestions for structured activities and discussions, while also encouraging flexibility so Scholars can get input and support as needed.
Access to the online learning platform containing forums to communicate with all other Scholars in the cohort, exercises for practicing skills, instructional videos, mentor advice videos, and additional tools and resources that support leadership and mentoring.
Upon completion of requirements, Scholars receive a Certificate of Completion, digital badge, and suggested language on how to describe Compass on their CV.

Download Sample 7-Week Summer Syllabus

Download Sample 10-Week Fall/Spring Syllabus

Eligibility

All faculty in the U.S. are eligible to participate. Typically, Faculty Track Scholars hold academic titles such as assistant professor, instructor, or associate professor. Scholars are not required to be on a tenure track. Staff scientists and other leaders of research teams have also found Compass valuable. Researchers within one year of completing their postdoctoral training are welcome to enroll in the Faculty Track.

The Compass curriculum and tools are designed for researchers in varied disciplines, including but not limited to basic and translational sciences, public health, behavioral/social research medicine, engineering, and agriculture.

How the Faculty Track Works

The Compass Faculty Track is a remote, collaborative 10-week program (7 weeks for summer cohorts) emphasizing practical learning, application, and mentoring. Each week, Scholars meet with their Peer Mentoring Team (PMT), and every three weeks, Scholars join the full cohort for “Fireside Chats” with experienced mentors. Faculty Scholars develop a personalized Lab Manual that serves as a tool to articulate goals, set expectations, convey procedures, and onboard new team members.

Scholars should plan to dedicate 3 – 4 hours weekly to Peer Mentoring Team meetings, working on their Lab Manual, and completing learning activities. This commitment is a valuable investment in your professional development and career.

After the Training Program

Compass Scholars remain part of the Compass community after completing the program. This includes access to online resources, new and updated materials, and our LinkedIn group. Although not required, many peer mentoring teams continue to meet semi-regularly or on an as-needed basis. We believe that by creating a community we can elevate individuals, teams, and contribute to positive cultures in academia.

Cost

Enrollment in the Compass Faculty Track training program provides faculty with access to all Compass materials: Coursebooks, peer mentoring, Fireside Chats with experienced mentors, lab manual template, communication toolkits, other practical lab resources and tools, as well as continued access to the Compass community after the program concludes.

The cost of the program is $2,000 and upon admission, payment is due 3 weeks before the start of the program.

Please see the How to Pay for Compass page for advice for faculty on potential sources of funds that can be used to pay for Compass.