Springfield College Supports Faculty Members During New Faculty Orientation
The Springfield College Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship recently hosted its 2021 New Faculty Orientation Program, welcoming new faculty to our campus community.
The Springfield College Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship recently hosted its 2021 New Faculty Orientation Program, welcoming new faculty to our campus community. The program is designed to provide new faculty with all of the knowledge and resources they need to hit the ground running at the start of the 2021-22 academic year.
New Faculty Orientation Day 1 Photos
New Faculty Orientation Day 2 Photos
New Faculty Orientation Group Photo
The orientation program commenced with Springfield College Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Martha Potvin, and Senior Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Mary Ann Coughlin officially welcoming new faculty to the College going over what the two-day orientation will include.
“We designed a two-day orientation because we wanted to provide our incoming faculty with enough time to receive all of the info and resources they will need, and we found hosting just a one-day orientation isn’t enough time,” said Springfield College Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship Director Chris Hakala.
During day two of the program, attendees were greeted by Springfield College President Mary-Beth Cooper, and members of the President’s Leadership Team (PLT). Cooper and her team assisted in showcasing all of the support systems Springfield College has to offer in assisting faculty and their students.
“What makes our program unique is, we really allow for the faculty to gain a broad understanding of the campus community, and show faculty all of the resources they have available to them at Springfield College, whether that’s getting to know the staff in the registrar’s office, meeting colleagues in the academic advising office, or the academic success center, we really allow for the faculty to meet the staff in all areas.”
In addition to receiving their technology for the semester, and going through sessions where new faculty were able to get to know each other, the orientation program also introduced returning faculty with new faculty as part of a “mentor program.”
“New faculty will be able to learn from faculty mentors not only in their concentrated area, but through our mentor program, new faculty members also have the opportunity to work with returning faculty in other departments and programs on campus,” added Hakala. “This allows for faculty to receive the full perspective of campus, and allows for the beginning of collaborations with different academic programs on campus.”
Springfield College is an independent, nonprofit, coeducational institution founded in 1885. Approximately 4,100 students, including 2,500 full-time undergraduate students, study at its main campus in Springfield, Mass., and at its regional campuses across the country. Springfield College inspires students through the guiding principles of its Humanics philosophy – educating in spirit, mind, and body for leadership in service to others.
