Early Career Faculty Learning Community

The ECFLC will meet four times during the academic year, with two meetings in the Fall and two in the Spring. The first meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 3, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. (location TBA). Based on feedback received in the sign-up form, we will determine whether this initial meeting will be held in person or virtually. Future meeting dates and modalities will be decided based on the group’s preferences at the first meeting.

The ECFLC is designed to support your professional advancement and growth. All activities are focused on enhancing your professional skills. As a participant in this learning community, you will be expected to engage in meaningful dialogue with your peers on session topics. Agendas and discussion topics will be shared ahead of each session, allowing you to prepare. At the end of each session, participants will set mini-goals for their continued development.

Our aim is to help you develop a roadmap for success and connect you with essential resources, units, and individuals both within and outside WMU. The four sessions will include a blend of content delivery and faculty discussions, covering the following focus areas:

• Adapting to faculty life and maintaining personal well-being
• Understanding and navigating the tenure and promotion process at WMU, including preparing your tenure and promotion dossier
• Goal setting, time management, handling unexpected challenges, and planning for each semester
• Developing your research, scholarship, and/or creative activities pipeline
• Enhancing your teaching and professional competence
• Balancing professional service responsibilities with professional goals and institutional needs
• Identifying professional enhancement and development opportunities
• Leveraging available resources as a faculty member