Thank you for your willingness to provide a letter of recommendation for an applicant to the Nyswander–Blanchard Pre-Dissertation Fellowship program at the American Indian College Fund!
The program was established in partnership with supporters to increase the number of tribal college/university (TCU) faculty members with a doctorate, thereby supporting faculty members’ own educational attainment and strengthening tribal colleges’ academic programs and leadership pipeline. The fellowships provide $3,000 to $10,000 in funding over one year to TCU faculty members admitted to or enrolled in a doctoral degree program. Applicants must be in the coursework phase of their doctoral studies (i.e., pre-dissertation).
We ask each applicant to submit letters of recommendation from (1) a faculty member in their doctoral program or another academic mentor and (2) a tribal college administrator (president, dean, or department chair).
We are seeking your candid evaluation of the applicant’s range of abilities and accomplishments, creative and intellectual promise, and ability to complete their doctoral degree.
Instructions for TCU administrator (president, dean, department chair)
In your 1-2 page letter, please address the following questions:
- How long have you known the applicant? What is your evaluation of the applicant’s abilities, accomplishments, and scholarly promise?
- Which courses does the applicant teach for your college/university? If there are plans to expand their faculty responsibilities after being conferred a doctoral degree, please explain in the letter.
- In what ways will the applicant's doctoral study strengthen teaching, research, curriculum and program development, community service, and/or leadership at your tribal college/university?
- How would you characterize the applicant’s commitment and ability to contribute to the tribal college community?
Please write your letter on letterhead, add your signature at the bottom, and save the document as a PDF.
Instructions for graduate program faculty member or academic mentor
In your 1-2 page letter, please address the following questions:
- What is your evaluation of the applicant's abilities and accomplishments, especially in comparison to other doctoral candidates (if known)? Does the applicant have noteworthy abilities, accomplishments, and qualities that may not appear on a transcript or CV?
- Please discuss the applicant's ability to finish their doctorate.
- What is the value of the applicant's research and scholarship to their field of study? What contributions do you anticipate the applicant will make in their field and to their tribal college?
Please write your letter on letterhead, add your signature at the bottom, and save the document as a PDF.
Deadline for letter of recommendation: Friday, November 4, 2022
You have two options to submit your letter of recommendation:
- Upload your signed letter using the form below; or
- Email your letter to Heidi Normandin (hnormandin@collegefund.org).
Heidi Normandin
Faculty Development Program Officer
American Indian College Fund
8333 Greenwood Blvd.
Denver, CO 80221
