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About DFI 
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WHAT IS DFI |
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The Diversifying Higher Education Faculty in Illinois Program (DFI) was established by the Illinois General Assembly and signed as Public Act 093-0862 on August 4, 2004.This act combined the Illinois Minority Graduate Incentive Program (IMGIP) and the Illinois Consortium For Educational Opportunity Program (ICEOP).This program provides annual stipends (up to four years) to degree-seeking underrepresented graduate students interested in pursuing a career in higher education. Upon graduation, fellowship recipients are obligated to actively seek and accept, when offered, a teaching or non-teaching fulltime appointment at an Illinois post-secondary educational institution for the same amount of time as funded. |
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MISSION |
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The purpose of DFI is to increase the number of underrepresented faculty and staff in Illinois institutions of higher education and higher education governing boards.The goal of DFI is to increase the number of minority full-time tenure track faculty and staff at Illinois post-secondary institutions (two- and four-year colleges and universities). It is expected that upon graduation, the DFI award recipient actively seek and when offered accept a teaching or non-teaching full-time appointment at an Illinois post-secondary educational institution. |
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WHY DFI |
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African-American faculty constitute five percent and Latino faculty two percent of all faculty at Illinois colleges and universities. This level of representation is much lower than the diversity found in Illinois’ student enrollment and state population. A diverse faculty and student enrollment enhances the education of all students and better prepares students to work and live in an increasingly diverse world. Faculty diversity is especially critical for students from underrepresented groups. An IBHE study found that the presence of students and faculty/staff from various ethnic groups was “very important” in the decision of underrepresented students to stay in school. However, the current status of minority representation at the faculty level finds that the average student attending a public college or university outside the City of Chicago is unlikely to have more than one course with an African-American faculty member and unlikely to have even one course with a Latino faculty member during his or her college years.
The DFI Initiative proposes to increase the number of minorities with master’s and doctoral degrees by providing financial assistance, based on demonstrated financial need, for students to pursue and complete master’s and doctoral degrees. In addition, the program administrators are working closely with higher education institutions, offering workshops and seeking other outreach opportunities that will help meet the goals and objectives of the Initiative.
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TARGETED GROUP |
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An Illinois resident and U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident alien who is a member of an Underrepresented Group. Black/African American, Hispanic American, Asian American, American Indian or Alaskan Native. "Traditionally underrepresented minority group" means any of the minority groups designated in the Public Act which are represented in Illinois post-baccalaureate enrollment at a percentage rate less than the percentage of the minority group's representation in the total Illinois population. Please note: To be classified as an Illinois resident, an applicant must possess a high school diploma or post-secondary degree from an accredited educational institution in Illinois or has lived in Illinois for a period of at least three years.
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