The HSRU Postdoctoral Cohort Program is a flagship initiative of the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities (HSRU). The program aims to advance the careers of scholars who bring critical perspectives to serve Hispanic students and communities, particularly in fields where Hispanics are underrepresented. Through tailored postdoctoral opportunities, mentorship, teaching practices education, professional development, and multi-institutional networking, our cohort-based program empowers scholars to excel in both research and teaching. This comprehensive support accelerates their path towards professional success and tenure, ultimately moving the professorate towards demographics more representative of our nation.
About the Program
Our Postdoctoral Fellowship Cohort Program builds bridges across institutions, creating a powerful network that advances Hispanic representation in research and academia while fostering the next generation of scholars.
Postdoctoral scholars benefit from both their host institution's resources and the broader HSRU network, gaining access to advanced mentorship, professional development opportunities, and connections to potential future faculty positions across all participating Hispanic Serving Institutions. Meanwhile, participating institutions gain access to a network of exceptional postdocs as potential faculty recruits.
Our Approach
The Alliance leverages a network of HSRU institutions to identify and prepare future faculty through four core pillars that guide our programming and professional development activities:
- Hispanic-serving framework for future faculty
- Strategic approaches to securing research funding at R1 HSIs
- Inclusive and culturally responsive teaching methodologies
- Community engagement and public scholarship
Fellows engage in a year-long cohort experience featuring:
- Professional development across four core pillars designed to prepare fellows for faculty careers
- Cross-institutional visits designed to facilitate faculty conversion opportunities at HSRU institutions
- Monthly virtual cohort meetings focused on shared experiences, and mentorship
- An annual gathering that brings together fellows, faculty mentors, and institutional leaders to strengthen the HSRU network
Fellow Selection
Our inaugural cohort of postdoctoral fellows consists of nominated scholars from HSRU member institutions. These postdoctoral scholars represent diverse backgrounds and share a commitment to pursuing faculty careers at research-intensive Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs).
The selection and review process for our inaugural cohort is actively underway across HSRU member institutions. We look forward to announcing our first cohort of fellows in Spring 2025, with the program formally launching in Summer 2025.
For more information about the HSRU Postdoctoral Fellowship Cohort Program, please contact hsru@utep.edu.
Eligibility
Nominated postdocs must meet the following criteria:
- Demonstrate a strong interest in pursuing a faculty career at a research-intensive Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI)
- Provide evidence of a promising trajectory toward a successful tenure-track faculty career
- Have at least one year remaining in their current postdoctoral position at a member institution as of August 2025
- Commit to adequately participate in all components of the program
- Scholars from all disciplines and research backgrounds are eligible to apply
As this is a nomination-based fellowship, interested candidates should consult with their HSRU institution for nomination procedures.
Application Process
Candidates must be nominated by a participating HSRU institution to be considered for the program. Interested candidates should first connect with their institutions to learn about the nomination process. Each participating institution has its own internal selection procedures for identifying and nominating candidates. Detailed application instructions and requirements will be provided to nominated candidates through their institutions.
Application Process
Candidates must be nominated by a participating HSRU institution to be considered for the program. Interested candidates should first connect with their institutions to learn about the nomination process. Each participating institution has its own internal selection procedures for identifying and nominating candidates. Detailed application instructions and requirements will be provided to nominated candidates through their institutions.
Program Timeline
- Institutional Nomination and Application Period - February 2025
HSRU participating institutionsidentify and submit nominations for potential fellows. Nominated candidates then receive invitations and complete their formal applications for the program. - Selection Process - March 2025
The HSRU selection committee evaluates applications, considering candidates' research potential, teaching capabilities, and alignment with the program's mission to advance Hispanic representation in academia. - Cohort Announcement - April 2025
Selected fellows are announced in April 2025, allowing time for both the fellows and their host institutions to prepare for the upcoming academic year. - Orientation - May 2025
Fellows participate in an orientation introducing them to the HSRU network, program expectations, and available resources. - Program Starts - August 2025
Fellows begin their postdoctoral appointments and commence participation in HSRU program activities.
Participating Institutions
Arizona State University (ASU)
City University of New York (CUNY) Graduate Center
Florida International University (FIU)
New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT)
Texas A&M University
Texas Tech University
The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)
The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP)
The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA)
University of Arizona (U of A)
University of California, Irvine (UCI)
University of California, Riverside (UC Riverside)
University of California, Santa Cruz (UC Santa Cruz)
University of Central Florida (UCF)
University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver)
University of Houston (UH)
University of Illinois Chicago (UIC)
University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV)
University of New Mexico (UNM)
Steering Committee
James Holloway – Postdoctoral Program Chair
University of New Mexico
Brenda Barrio
University of North Texas
Assata Zerai
University of New Mexico
Maggy Tomova
University of Central Florida
Ambika Mathur
The University of Texas at San Antonio
Steve Crites
The University of Texas at El Paso
Robin Macaluso
The University of Texas at Arlington
Jade A. Laderwarg
University of Central Florida
Amalia Pallares
Arizona State University
Mariam Lam
University of California, Riverside
Lidia Kos
University of California, Riverside
Peter Biehl
University of California, Santa Cruz
Miquel Gonzalez-Meler
University Illinois Chicago
Brian R. Gibney
The City University of New York Graduate Center
Andreea Trache
Texas A&M University
Maureen Pelham
Florida International University
Jesus Cisneros
The University of Texas at El Paso
