New Faculty Orientation
Western Michigan University's New Faculty Orientation (NFO) is a 2 and a half day program designed to provide essential information for new full-time, board-appointed faculty as they begin the academic year.
NFO focuses on increasing awareness of key resources and supports for faculty and students, and on fostering a sense of belonging within the WMU community.
Note: New Faculty Orientation complements the New Employee Orientation; contact Human Resources for information about that program.
Hosted by the Office of Faculty Development in collaboration with the Office of the Provost and with support from the Office of the President, NFO offers new faculty members the opportunity to:
- Provide an overview of resources for teaching, research, and professional growth
- Facilitate connections with colleagues and campus leaders
- Increase awareness of services and strategies to support student success
- Prepare faculty to begin teaching with an understanding of WMU students, course design, and academic policies
- Develop familiarity with WMU's institutional culture, governance, and community
Following orientation, the Office of Faculty Development, the Teaching and Learning team, and numerous campus partners offer additional workshops and opportunities for faculty to connect, learn, and grow throughout the year. Some colleges and departments may also offer their own orientation programs.
In particular, the Office of Faculty Development invites new and early-career faculty to explore programs designed for them.
Details: New Faculty Orientation is typically held each year during the first three days of the fall faculty contract (Monday through Wednesday) before classes begin. Invitations are sent to new faculty and to faculty who have changed roles at WMU.