Lead Graduate Student Fellowship

Graduate Student

The Lead Graduate Student Fellowship Program supports discipline-specific teacher training in over 45 graduate programs across seven schools and colleges at CU Boulder. With over 1,000 alumni worldwide, the Lead Network fosters leadership and innovation in teaching both within and beyond higher education. 

Graduate students participating in the Lead Network receive a stipend and engage in five aspects of improving graduate student support in their disciplines and across campus.

Find Your Department's Lead 

How to Apply

  • Applications are sent to department chairs and graduate directors in early January.
  • Each department conducts its own selection process.
  • Self-nominations are not accepted.

Program Benefits

Graduate student participants receive a stipend and engage in five key areas of professional development:

1. Academic Management
  • Balance roles as researchers, teachers, students, and leaders.
  • Add a service component that benefits their department, CTL, and the campus community.
2. Academic Leadership
  • Design and implement a project to improve teaching and learning (e.g., resource banks, seminars, mentoring programs).
  • Facilitate discipline-specific workshops with CTL support.
3. Consultation
  • Conduct up to four Video Teacher Consultations (VTCs) for peers.
  • Train in non-evaluative, peer observation techniques for scaffolded self-reflection.
  • Two VTCs are required for anyone pursuing the Certificate in College Teaching.
4. College Teaching
  • Participate in CTL training, workshops, and discipline-specific teaching activities.
  • Hone teaching skills and bring best practices back to their departments to enhance undergraduate education.
5. Collaboration
  • Work in interdisciplinary teams to design and lead CTL workshops.
  • Past workshops include Transitioning from TA to Instructor and Creating an Inclusive Classroom Culture.

Find Your Department's Lead

Want to learn more? Contact your department’s current Lead or reach out to:
Preston Cumming (Professional Development Lead, CTL)
Email: preston.cumming@colorado.edu