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Conway Institute

The Conway Fellowship for Jesuit Education 2025-26

Application and Information - DEADLINE November 3, 2025 at 9:00 am

Xavier University's Ruth J. and Robert A. Conway* Institute for Jesuit Education is a center of distinction, unique to the Jesuit colleges and universities, that assists educators in transforming students intellectually, morally and spiritually in the Jesuit Catholic tradition, while appropriating Ignatian pedagogy and spirituality in today's world. Moreover, a significant function of The Conway Institute is reaching beyond the Xavier campus with pedagogical innovations communicated locally, nationally, and internationally throughout the network of Jesuit schools, colleges and universities.

One of a number of major initiatives within the Conway Institute is the Faculty Fellow opportunity which expands participation of faculty in advancing Ignatian pedagogy and the Jesuit educational experience. The Conway Fellow for Jesuit Education will undertake a project focused on significant issues impacting the University and the field of higher education.

Faculty Fellow Program

(Summer 2026 and Fall 2026 or Spring 2027)

Through generous funding from the Ruth J. and Robert A. Conway Foundation, the Institute supports one faculty member each year to serve as the Conway Faculty Fellow for Jesuit Education. Faculty members applying for this position will propose projects that make a significant mission-related impact on the educational endeavor at Xavier and beyond.

The selected recipient will receive a summer stipend and released from all teaching responsibilities during one semester of the following year (fall or spring). It will be expected that the Faculty Fellow will disseminate results of the project internally, across faculty and academic departments at Xavier, as well as to other universities and schools, both Jesuit and non-Jesuit, as appropriate to the project. The fellowship cannot be divided between multiple faculty members.

Fellowship projects will support Xavier's Vision and Mission such that graduates are ever more inspired and prepared to:

  • Take their place as leaders in our rapidly changing global world,
  • Promote peace and social and environmental justice,
  • Use the process of attention, reflection and discernment when making decisions,
  • Care for others, especially the poor and marginalized,
  • Be introspective, self-aware, and seek to find the Divine in all things,
  • Do good deeds for the greater glory of God.
       See past Conway Fellowship projects

 

Outcome/Expectations

The Conway Fellow agrees to complete:

  • A pedagogical project that intentionally advances Jesuit Catholic education, including the Universal Apostolic Preferences, at Xavier and that has relevance to other educational institutions.
  • An end-of-project report, that may be shared with the Conway Foundation, which includes a description of the final project, the outcome, and dissemination efforts.

Support

The Conway Fellow will receive:

  • A summer stipend of $10,000. It is expected that the Conway Fellow will be working full-time on the project during the summer months (stipend paid in September).
  • Release from all teaching responsibilities during one semester of the following year, either Fall 2026 or Spring 2027, to be determined by applicant. (Funding will be available to the department to hire a replacement person for the semester to cover the recipient’s teaching load, which will be determined by the dean of the recipient’s college and the VP of Mission and Ministry.)
  • Expenses up to $5,000, as appropriate to the project, to be used within the time-frame of the project (all expenses must be submitted by the end of the project timeframe). Recipient should provide budget updates throughout the project to Director of Faculty Programs.
  • Consultation and assistance from the staff of the Center for Mission and Identity, including the Director of Faculty Programs as well as from the Center for Teaching Excellence.

Application

All full-time tenured or tenure-track faculty from all disciplines are eligible to apply. Applicants must submit proposals following the format outlined below.

Applications will be reviewed and the recipient determined by a panel comprised of relevant campus representatives, such as Vice President for Mission and Ministry, the Director of Faculty Programs for Mission and Identity, a Jesuit scholar, and a representative from the Center for Teaching Excellence.

The following must be sent electronically to the Center for Teaching Excellence (cte@xavier.edu) with the subject line "Conway Fellowship Application" by 9 am, November 3, 2025:

 

The application in the form outlined below

  1. Curriculum vitae (abbreviated, no more than three pages)
  2. A supporting letter from the Department Chair
  3. A supporting letter from the College Dean

Applicants should submit a copy of the final proposal to their Department Chair and Dean.

For questions, contact Dr. Teresa Young, youngt3@xavier.edu, Director of Faculty Programs in the Center for Mission and Identity.  

APPLICATION FORMAT - not to exceed 6 pages

Cover Page

  1. Name of applicant
  2. Rank
  3. Department
  4. Semester requested (Fall 2025 or Spring 2026, in addition to Summer 2025)
  5. Title of project
  6. Abstract (150 words or less)
  1. Project Description (1-3 pages single spaced)

Describe, in detail, your pedagogical/educational project including the impact it will have at Xavier - for your students, course/curriculum, College, and/or University - as well as other educational communities and networks, such as Jesuit, Catholic, faith-based, secondary, discipline-specific, etc. The narrative should address the following questions:

  • Why is this project needed?
  • What is your interest and experience with the proposed pedagogical issue?
  • How does this project, explicitly, relate to Jesuit Catholic education and the Ignatian tradition?
  • What is the short- and long-term impacts of the project?
  • How is the project 'success/innovation' defined?

Dissemination Plan
Describe plans for communicating your findings/outcome within the Xavier campus and externally.

Preliminary Schedule
Describe the anticipated sequence of project activity and responsibilities within the 2025 summer and following semester timeline.

Project Expenses (up to $5,000)
Describe the need for project expenses within the time-frame of the project (with consideration to the dissemination plan as well).

** Follow current University travel restrictions

Other (if appropriate)
If the project is successful, would continuation funds be necessary to sustain the impact? If so, please explain.