Faculty Externships: Connecting Classroom Expertise with Industry Experience
Strong partnerships create stronger graduates. The faculty externship program brings together Miami University Regionals faculty and regional employers to learn from one another through immersive workplace experiences. Faculty return to the classroom with current industry knowledge, while employers help inform curriculum, build relationships with educators, and strengthen the future talent pipeline.
What is a Faculty Externship?
The world of work, technology, and industry is constantly evolving. Faculty externships help bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry by allowing faculty to experience current workplace practices, emerging technologies, and employer expectations firsthand.
Each externship is approximately 40 hours during the summer (May - August) and is customized around both the faculty member's goals and the employer's schedule.
Every externship is different because every industry is different.
Experiences may include:
Workplace tours
Meetings with leadership and employees
Observing day-to-day operations
Learning about current technologies and processes
Discussing hiring trends, certifications, and future workforce needs
Faculty Benefits
Faculty participants will:
- Receive $2,000 professional development stipend
- Experience emerging technologies
- Gain real-world insight to bring back to the classroom
The impact doesn't end with the externship.
- Faculty bring what they learn back into the classroom, creating more relevant and engaging experiences for students.
How to Apply
Each of the six academic departments will have one representative each year. Applicants should discuss their interest with their department heads before applying.
September - November:
Attend an info session
December - February:
Submit application and (other app documents)
March:
Externships announced
June - August:
Complete 40 externship hours
Fall Semester:
Presentation
Faculty Externship Presentations
Faculty will translate industry engagement into practice by sharing the externship experience and proposed action steps with their department or college through a capstone-style presentation during the following fall semester.
Presentations will demonstrate:
- The host organization and industry sector
- Overview of experience
- Applied skills, tools, and practices observed during the externship
- Recommended curriculum updates, course modifications, and skill integration informed by industry engagement
Host Employer Information
Host Employer Benefits
Hosting a faculty member allows your organization to:
- Build relationships with Miami University Regionals faculty
- Share current industry practices and emerging trends
- Help inform curriculum and classroom learning
- Create pathways for internships, student projects, and future hiring
- Increase engagement with the regional education community
There is no cost to participate.
Host Employer Expectations
Participating organizations can create an experience that fits their schedule and goals. Faculty should spend around 40 hours between June and August working with your organization.
A typical experience might include:
- Facility tours
- Job shadowing
- Meetings with employees and leadership
- Exposure to projects, technologies, or processes
- Conversations about industry challenges, hiring trends, and workforce needs
Interested?
All Miami University Regionals full-time faculty are eligible to apply for the faculty externship program.
Externships are completed during the summer (June to August) and consist of approximately 40 hours.
No. There is no cost for faculty participants or employer hosts.
Faculty receive a $2,000 professional development stipend.
Yes. Organizations interested in hosting multiple faculty members are encouraged to contact the program coordinator.
Further Questions?
Career Services and Professional Development
Hamilton Campus Mosler Hall 105
Middletown Campus Johnston Hall 105
