LIFT Fellowship Program

Provost Office > Teach > Programs > LIFT Fellowship Program

Learn. Inspire. Foster. Transform.

Since 1890, the faculty at Washington State University have demonstrated a strong commitment to educating students. Our faculty are passionate about their work in classrooms, research settings, and one-on-one with WSU students. This commitment to and passion for education are what drive us to continuously improve the WSU student experience.

The LIFT Fellowship (Learn.Inspire.Foster.Transform.) is designed to support instructors in this work. We use teaching methods that have been shown to improve students’ engagement, connection, and learning, to decrease course withdrawal and fail rates, and to increase retention.

2026 LIFT Fellows Application

Apply to LIFT

Next training is May 21 and 22 on Spokane campus

Applications due April 10, 2026

I learned so much from the LIFT program. The information was not only useful but also created an excitement about teaching! I want to be part of this more often, if only for the “LIFT” it gave me!! It was a wonderful experience that I would love to spread!

LIFT Participant

Learning Outcomes

After participating in LIFT Faculty Fellows will be able to transform their courses using methods that have been shown to increase student engagement, belonging, academic resilience, and learning. Through participation in LIFT, faculty will:

  • Develop knowledge of theory and research related to active learning approaches and brief behavioral interventions.
  • Apply active learning techniques and brief behavioral interventions in their classes.
  • Support and be supported by colleagues who share their commitment to student success.

Apply

The application includes the following questions, which we recommend applicants prepare in advance in a Word document to cut and paste into the online application.

  • What does success look like for your students?
  • What have you done, or what would you like to try, to create an environment that supports success for your students?
  • How do you hope that participation in LIFT will help you as an instructor?
  • LIFT Fellows are required to integrate a LIFT teaching practice in academic year 2025-26. Will you be able to meet this requirement? Why or why not?

Once accepted, LIFT Faculty Fellows experience a two-day intensive program to explore evidence-based active learning and behavioral interventions that they will eventually integrating into their own teaching.

Program Expectations

The LIFT program begins with a two-day intensive training after which LIFT Fellows will be assigned peer mentors as they experiment with new teaching approaches. Participants must complete all of the following by May 15, 2027.

  • Attend the entire two-day training on the WSU Spokane Campus May 21 and 22, 2026.
  • Complete readings and pre-reflections in preparation for in-person training.
  • Complete all LIFT evaluations
  • Attend at least two of the pedagogical professional development opportunities
  • Complete a Classroom Implementation plan detailing how you will use active learning approaches to incorporate at least one LIFT teaching practice in your classroom (e.g., resilience, social belonging, mindfulness, self-compassion, growth mind-set).
  • Meet monthly with your Peer Mentoring Pod.
  • Attend a peer observation and/or co-mentoring training session.
  • Participate in a peer observation of teaching.
  • Complete a final progress report.


Additional information about these requirements will be offered by the LIFT team via email, during the training, and at subsequent times throughout the year. We work diligently to make sure you are on track and successful.

Upon program completion

We recognize that LIFT involves a substantial time commitment which will be recognized with a $2,000 PAP for completing all LIFT Faculty Fellow requirements, a framed certificate of completion, and a letter of thanks which can be shared with your chair/director and dean.