New Full-Time Faculty Orientation includes a one-day orientation event on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 followed by an extended orientation program that meets monthly throughout 2023-2024.
Goals for the New Faculty Orientation and Extended Orientation:
- Foster development of active and engaged learning
- Introduce and reinforce connections with campus partners to support new faculty as you begin your work at UMSL
- Create a rich network across the disciplines and across campus as part of a cohort
Tentative Agenda for Tuesday, August 15, 2023
Our day together begins in the Millennium Student Center (MSC) Century Room C on the 3rd floor where you’ll enjoy meeting a variety of campus and student partners.
In MSC Century Room C
8:00 Morning Refreshments
Meet campus partners from UMSL’s Marketing and Communication Office, Office of Academic Affairs, and Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) colleagues eager to support your transition to UMSL.
8:30 Welcome to the University of Missouri - St. Louis
Meet and be welcomed by UMSL’s Chancellor and Provost who will highlight the amazing community you are joining. This session addresses Goals #2 and #3.
- Kristin Sobolik, Chancellor
- Steven Beberich, Provost and Interim Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
- Alice Hall, Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs and Professor, Communication and Media
9:15 - 10:30 Building Relationships through Inquiry
Facilitator, Erin Whitteck, CTL Assistant Director and Assistant Teaching Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry
As professionals in our disciplines, it is easy to get caught up in the importance of content in our courses, and we sometimes gloss over the importance of relationships in effective teaching. In this session, you will employ inquiry to connect with your peers and give you a broader appreciation of what makes learning meaningful. This session addresses Goals #1, #2 and #3.
10:30 - 10:45 - Break
Use this time to refresh your coffee, connect with peers, or explore the MSC to find restrooms, Triton ID card office, and more.
10:45 Meeting UMSL Students
Facilitator, Keeta Holmes, CTL Director and Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Innovation
After a brief presentation about the overall and student major profiles, students will join you at your round tables to introduce you to campus, themselves, and their expectations of their professors. This session addresses Goals #1, #2, and #3.
12:00 Lunch
Join distinguished and talented table hosts for a catered lunch to learn more about campus partners eager to support and promote your good work. This session addresses Goals #2 and #3.
- Steven Berberich, Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs
- Liane Constantine, Executive Director of UMSL Global
- Chris Dames, Dean of Libraries
- Colette Dixon, Associate Provost for Student Success
- Jessica Long-Pease, Interim Vice Provost for Student Affairs
- Natissia Small, Vice Provost for Access, Academic Support, and Workforce Integration
- Chris Spilling, Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic and Community Development and Professor of Chemistry
1:15 Partners in Learning: Supporting Students
Facilitator, Jen McKanry, CTL Assistant Director
Campus colleagues share insights and details about student success topics you’ll experience in the first weeks of the semester as well as resources for who to contact when. Examples will be provided of how to handle disability access accommodation letters, enrollment verifications, and submitting flags for student concerns. This session addresses Goals #1, #2, and #3.
- Tara Cramer, Manager, Student Support Services
- Maya Scruggs Hicks, Director, Student Enrichment and Achievement
- Robin Kimberlin, Associate Director, Student Advocacy & Care and UMSL Veterans Center
2:30 Closing Remarks
2:30 - 4:00 (Optional)
Individual Consultations in CTL Suite (Lucas 589): This session provides quiet work time for you to ask questions as you work on your syllabus, assignments, or other semester preparation materials.
6:00PM Chancellor’s Welcome Reception for New Faculty
Chancellor Kristin Sobolik invites you to join your Deans for campus introductions and a celebratory welcoming reception.
New Faculty Orientation continues throughout your first year to continue to connect you with each other and campus partners. Our tentative program is described below but is subject to change based on your requests so we are responsive to your needs. In-person events will include refreshments.
Goals:
- Foster development of active and engaged learning
- Introduce and reinforce connections with campus partners to support new faculty as you begin your work at UMSL
- Create a rich network across the disciplines and across campus as part of a cohort
Please plan to attend the following sessions:
- Session 1: September
Join a panel of returning new faculty from the 2022-2023 cohort to share wisdom and insights. This session addresses Goals #1, #2 and #3.
- Session 2: October
Learn more about how the UM-System faculty accomplishment system MyVita houses and supports the development of your dossier and activities used in faculty annual evaluations and promotion. This session addresses Goals #2 and #3.
- Session 3: November
Promoting Student Well-Being, Academic Integrity & Addressing Student Conduct Challenges: Representatives from key UMSL offices lead a discussion about supporting successful learning environments around academic and classroom issues as well as how to support student well-being and success: student counseling, student conduct supports, classroom security, and academic integrity resources and campus experts. Examples and resource contacts will be provided. This session addresses Goals #1, #2 and #3.
- Session 4: February
Professional Development in Teaching: Meet UMSL faculty to learn a teaching strategy from your colleagues and to learn more about the impact and benefits of joining in Faculty Learning Communities and other cohort-based faculty programs focused on teaching. This session addresses Goals #1, #2 and #3.
- Session 5: March
Discuss resources and opportunities related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts at UMSL that support faculty and students. This session addresses Goals #1, #2 and #3.
- Session 6: April
Join us to learn more about setting short-term and long-term goals for teaching improvements and ways to reflect on your teaching practice and goals. This session addresses Goals #1, #2 and #3.
- Celebration of Your First Year : May
Join invited guests including faculty from the 2020-2021, 2021-2022, 2023-2024 cohorts to celebrate the successful wrap-up of your first academic year at UMSL. This session addresses Goals #2 and #3.