2007 New Faculty Seminar Eases Transition to The University
The 2007 New Faculty Teaching, Learning, and Orientation Seminar featured the theme “Helping you succeed at UT.” Participants had an opportunity to hear and meet President Powers, Provost Steven Leslie, and other UT administrators who are dedicated to quality instruction at UT Austin. The Seminar offered a broad array of presentations, discussion, and networking activities to help ease the transition as a new faculty member.
left to right: Keffrelyn Brown (Education), Jemel Aguilar (Social Work), Anthony Brown (Education), David Mohrig (Geosciences)
Second year faculty share their experiences as new instructors with incoming new faculty at the 2007 New Faculty Teaching, Learning, and Orientation Seminar
Experienced faculty, many of them members of the Academy of Distinguished Teachers, and second-year faculty members shared their teaching philosophies and experiences as a new instructor at UT Austin. In addition to pedagogical and class-related issues, new faculty was introduced to campus-wide services, administrative expectations and responsibilities, and community activities.
Sponsored by the Offices of the President and the Provost, the annual seminar is also supported by various UT offices and community organizations such as the Blanton Museum, which features a Faculty Family Night to welcome new instructors.
“The fact that many new faculty remained after sessions to talk with the presenters speaks to the quality of our speakers and panelists, and the interactive aspect of the program,” says Dr. Lynn Jones Eaton, who coordinates the event each year. Jones Eaton acknowledges the support of the Texas Exes Alumni, the University Federal Credit Union, the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, the University of Texas Club, the Office of the Vice President for Research, and the Optional Retirement Program vendors for providing refreshments and lunches that allowed participants to spend quality time networking.
New faculty members Richard Reddick (Educational Administration) and Brad Love (Advertising) at the 2007 New Faculty Teaching, Learning, and Orientation Seminar
In an anonymous evaluation, one of last year’s participants related that “Having taught at other institutions, I can honestly say that the new faculty seminar at UT is truly remarkable.”