Events, Workshops, and Communities

The Office of Faculty Development is excited to offer a free, two-day, virtual Future Faculty Academy on June 17 to 18, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This interactive professional development opportunity will help graduate students develop strategies and distinguish themselves in the academic job market.  Learn more and apply here as a “student scholar” or “distinguished participant” by June 1, 2026, and please direct questions to Dr. Meghann Meeusen, Faculty Fellow for GTA Success, Office of Faculty Development.  Student scholars and distinguished participants must be able to attend both days, and all WMU graduate students are welcome to apply.  We hope to see you there!

New Faculty Orientation welcomes new, full-time faculty and provides essential information as they begin the academic year. The interactive program introduces faculty to key campus resources, services, and supports that will help them succeed in their roles and support student success. Fall 2026 NFO is held Monday, Aug. 17, to Wednesday, Aug.19. New faculty receive invitations via email. Please contact the Office of Faculty Development with any questions.

Profession (PIO) instructors will have their own orientation program offering; contact the PIO Fellow for questions.

Each fall, the Office of Faculty Development offers a New Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) Training (GTA) session as part of the required Graduate College GA Orientation. The training supports new GTAs in planning initial interactions in their classrooms or other learning spaces, engaging effectively with their lead faculty instructors, and connecting with experienced teachers and graduate students on campus. The virtual session is held on Monday, Aug. 31, from 9 a.m. to noon. Contact the Graduate College for more information.

Thursday, May 14

2 to 3 p.m.

Virtual

Do you start the summer with big writing goals—only to feel disappointed by what you actually accomplish? Do you need to write a lot this summer?And also want to enjoy your life?

This planning webinar is designed to help you do both.

Tuesday, June 2

1 to 2 p.m.

Virtual

Revising a scholarly book can feel overwhelming—especially if you’re not sure what to prioritize, when to revise, or how to approach the process.

In this one-hour webinar, Laura Portwood-Stacer shares a time-tested method for revising scholarly work so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.

Tuesday, June 9

2 to 3 p.m.

Virtual

This webinar will explore strategies for building and sustaining a successful research laboratory that fosters both scientific excellence and a strong sense of community. Participants will learn how to create an environment that supports collaboration, mentorship and productivity while working toward a long-term research vision. Key elements will include establishing a clear research agenda, establishing simple workflows, developing partnerships and creating a culture where students and staff feel supported.

Thursday, June 11

2 to 3 p.m.

Virtual

In this webinar, you will learn:

• What resistance is and why academic writers experience it in pursuit of work we want and need to complete.
• How to identify what's holding you back from writing and completing your ___________ (article, dissertation, book manuscript, grant proposal, etc...).
• The three most common types of writing funk and how to move around them.
• How to create the types community, support and accountability for your writing that will help you to ride through whatever type of writing funk you are currently experiencing.

Thursday, July 9

2 to 3 p.m.

Virtual

In this webinar, you will learn:

• The biggest mistakes faculty make in responding to requests
• How to identify and disrupt problematic patterns
• Our favorite strategies that you can implement immediately so you can add "no" to your vocabulary

Thursday, July 23

1 to 2 p.m.

Virtual

The peer review process upholds academic standards by relying on faculty volunteers to provide expert guidance and assessment. Many faculty feel overwhelmed by the time reviewing takes, though, and struggle to fit requests in around their other responsibilities. Join us for a webinar to learn how to peer review a journal article in no time. You'll identify your current method for reviewing, refine and streamline your process, and learn time-saving mindset shifts and technical tips to help you produce excellent reviews in less time, without using AI.

Tuesday, August 11

2 to 3 p.m.

Virtual

New junior faculty shouldn’t have to “figure it out” alone. This webinar, hosted by the ADVANCE Program at the University of Michigan, presents Launch Committees as a constellation mentorship model to accelerate onboarding, expand networks, and boost early-career belonging and success for newly hired tenure-track assistant professors.

Thursday, August 13

2 to 3 p.m.

Virtual

Join NCFDD for a webinar that will help you:

• Map your current mentoring network
• Identify your unmet needs
• Plan how to expand your existing network to meet your current needs