Project NExT (New Experiences in Teaching) is the MAA's professional development program for new and recent Ph.D.s in the mathematical sciences. Each year, about sixty new faculty are selected as Project NExT Fellows; application materials for 2005 and 2006 are available at the Project NExT booth in the exhibit area. In addition, Project NExT has organized several sessions to which it invites all meeting participants.

The following sessions were organized by the 1994 to 2001 Project NExT Fellows to address issues of concern to faculty who have four to ten years of teaching experience.

Firefighting, Paper Trailing, and Cat Herding: Everything You Need to Know to Be an Administrator but Were Afraid to Ask, Thursday, 2:15 p.m. to 3:45 p.m., organized by Linda Braddy, East Central University, and Rebekah Dupont, Augsburg College. This session focuses on issues of interest to faculty at all points of their careers who are interested in serving in administrative positions. It seeks to answer questions such as: Is it possible to be department chair and still have time for research? How does one respond to student grievances? What are some tips for dealing with conflicts among faculty? What best supports a colleague going up for tenure or promotion? What are some strategies a department chair can use to deal with the difficulties of being "caught in the middle" between the dean (and higher administration) and the faculty members in his/her department? What communication skills, political savvy, and management skills are beneficial, and how can one acquire them? We will discuss the associated challenges and rewards and provide encouragement and resources for faculty taking on these administrative roles. Panelists include Charlotte J. Chell, Carthage College; Amy Cohen, Rutgers University; Susan C. Geller, Texas A&M University; Dennis M. Luciano, Western New England College; Mickey McDonald, Occidental College; and Jack Narayan, SUNY Oswego.

The Mathematics Profession in 2016: Where Are We Going?, Friday, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., organized by John F. Bukowski, Juniata College; Dale R. Buske, St. Cloud State University; and Kenneth L. Price, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. This session is intended to help relatively new faculty members prepare for their post-tenure careers by identifying some of the biggest upcoming changes and opportunities to the mathematics teaching profession. This may include topics currently receiving a lot of attention: assessment, course management systems and/or online courses, curriculum (college and high school), interdisciplinary programs, quantitative literacy courses, and use of temporary faculty. Panelists include David M. Bressoud, Macalester College; Michael Starbird, University of Texas at Austin; Tina H. Straley, Mathematical Association of America; and Paul Zorn, St. Olaf College.

Making the Most of your Sabbatical, Saturday,9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., organized by Blair F. Madore, SUNY at Potsdam, and Pamela B. Pierce, College of Wooster. A good sabbatical involves careful planning, a productive period of work, and an appropriate follow up. Our panelists will share their diverse experiences with sabbaticals and answer your questions. Panelists include Jennifer R. Galovich, St. John's University; Charles R. Hampton, College of Wooster; Judy A. Holdener, Kenyon College; William A. Marion, Valparaiso University; and Thomas Q. Sibley, St. John's University.

See also these sessions/events cosponsored by Project NExT under "MAA Other Sessions" or "Social Events".

*Getting Started in Mathematical Biology, Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.,

*Young Mathematicians' Network/Project NExT Poster Session, Friday, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.,

*Reception, Saturday, 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.