Our new faculty orientation, now called Welcome and Connect, is a thoughtfully designed session to introduce new faculty members to the Eberly College of Science community and its teaching culture. It is a half-day interactive, informative session that combines presentations, activities, and networking opportunities.

Each Welcome and Connect session does the following:

• Introduces new faculty to community members and resources
• Provides practical tools and strategies for effective teaching
• Showcases various communities of practice and professional development opportunities
• Offers insights into student experiences and expectations

Reasons to Attend

There are good reasons for new faculty to attend Welcome and Connect:

• Immediate Integration: From the moment faculty arrive, they're welcomed personally and engaged in activities, helping them feel part of the community right away.
• Networking Opportunities: The session encourages faculty to meet and interact with each other and existing community members, laying the groundwork for future collaborations and support networks.
• Shared Learning Experience: Activities like the syllabus review create a sense of shared purpose and collaborative learning among new faculty.
• Introduction to Support Systems: By introducing various resources, communities of practice, and events, the session helps new faculty understand the extensive support network available to them.
• Insight into the Eberly College of Science Culture: The session communicates the college’s commitment to teaching excellence and student-centered approaches, helping new faculty align with the college's values.
• Practical Tools: Providing resources like infographics and syllabus templates gives new faculty immediate, practical ways to engage with the community's best practices.
• Future Connections: By introducing ongoing events and communities of practice, the session sets the stage for continued engagement and belonging beyond the orientation.

Over the years, our vision for this session has evolved from what used to be a more informational session. Our goal is to host a welcoming, informative, and interactive event that not only prepares new faculty for their teaching responsibilities but also immediately begins integrating them into the supportive, collaborative community of educators within the Eberly College of Science.

New Instructor Community Series

Starting this year, Grove Team member Ana Matkovic will host a Faculty Connections series. This series is an extension of Welcome and Connect and consists of biweekly discussion sessions and tours aimed at introducing faculty to facilities and resources. The sessions will include tours of teaching and learning support facilities and classroom spaces to help faculty build their network of colleagues and become acquainted with resources that support instructors and students in teaching and learning.