The University of Georgia welcomed new faculty members to campus during New Faculty Orientation in August and connected them with resources designed to help them succeed in teaching, research and service.
Hosted by the Office of Faculty Affairs at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel, the annual event introduced participants to UGA’s academic mission, research enterprise, public service and outreach efforts, student support initiatives and campus traditions. Since last year’s orientation, 435 new faculty members have joined the university.
“I want you to understand that we couldn’t accomplish any of our institutional successes without our dedicated faculty,” UGA President Jere W. Morehead said at the orientation. “Our goal for new faculty is not only for you to excel in instruction but also to achieve recognition for your teaching, research and service on the national and international level.”
During the event, new faculty had the opportunity to hear the perspectives of UGA’s award-winning faculty members and a select group of students. Other sessions focused on support for faculty research, opportunities to connect scholarship to communities across Georgia and additional professional development programming. The “UGA Traditions, Legends, and Lingo” session introduced new faculty to campus icons including the Arch and the university’s beloved bulldog mascot, Uga XI.
“Whether this is your first position in higher education or you’re joining us from another institution, we’re delighted that you’re here at UGA,” said Ron R. Walcott, interim senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. “You’ve come to Athens from different parts of Georgia, the nation and the world. Our sincere hope is that you will join our world-class faculty with a strong foundation for success.”
New Faculty Orientation serves as an introduction to Keys to UGA, a series of workshops geared toward incoming faculty but open to all faculty regardless of their time at the institution. Future sessions include topics such as utilizing UGA Libraries, partnering with the Office of Global Engagement and documenting faculty productivity.
“New Faculty Orientation aims to provide incoming faculty with both a warm welcome and tools to succeed at the highest levels,” said Paula Lemons, associate provost for faculty affairs. “Our goal is to help them become part of the UGA community so that they can hit the ground running to serve our students, state, the nation and the world.”