Missouri S&T’s Commitment to New Faculty Robert Schwartz Vice Provost for Academic Affairs August 19, 2008
Welcome! l We’re glad to have you with us l You have joined a fine institution of higher learning! »Focus on student success »Strong links between teaching and research »Close relationships between students and faculty »Opportunities for professional growth and achievement of career goals
Resources You Should Use l Freshman Faculty Orientation »The nuts and bolts you need to get you off the ground from day one l Freshman Faculty Forum »More detailed information on how to succeed and achieve your professional goals –First Wednesday each month –A great use of an hour! l New Faculty Teaching Scholars (NFTS)
Third Year Review l Occurs in April of your third year l Committee includes VPAA, chair, department, area, and campus P/T committee members l A formal review and counseling session to »Assess your progress toward P/T »Identify any areas that require attention l Provide formal feedback to faculty member l Review process based on dossier binder similar to that used for P/T in penultimate year
Other Resources on Campus to Help You Succeed l Workshops »Advising »Effective teaching »Teaching and technology l Seminars l Websites with information »Freshman Faculty Forum »CERTI (Center for Educational Research and Teaching »VPAA ( –Effective teaching resources –Faculty Accomplishments System –P/T Information
After FFF/NFTS l Most departments mentor new faculty »Talk to your chair »Develop relationships with senior colleagues »Look for folks you can go to for advice l Additional campus mentoring »Lunches with the VPAA and other special guests
Other Resources l Your academic support system: »Chair, senior colleagues, peers, FFF and FFF Director, VPAA l Mentor in a Manual by Clay Schoenfeld and Robert MagnanClay Schoenfeld Robert Magnan l Mentornet (
Biggest Challenges (?) l Balance in: »Teaching, research and service »Professional vs. personal life »Consistently finding time to write (proposals and scholarship) l Time management and using time wisely l Pedagogical and teaching philosophy development for student engagement
Some Advice l Discuss expectations with chair: »Scholarship and publications »Teaching – load and course development »Grantsmanship l Be a good department citizen l Be active in your technical societies l Serve as proposal reviewer when invited l Write a UMRB proposal – seed $ l Submitting one good proposal is better than sending out two average ones
Still More Advice l Balance in collaborative opportunities (e.g., working with centers or as Co-PI) and making a name for yourself l Use FAS as you complete things to document your contributions l Read the CRR regarding criteria for P/T l Feel free to speak up with suggestions, requests for assistance, concerns l Get out of your office sometimes!
Questions?