Early Career Faculty
Early Career Faculty
Office of Faculty Development
The Office of Faculty Development supports early career faculty as they get established at WMU and grow in their faculty roles. We can help connect you with resources, professional development opportunities, and colleagues across campus. Opportunities include the Early Career Faculty Seminar, workshops, career consultations, confidential peer teaching observations, instructional support through the Center for Teaching, Learning and Development (CTLD), and curated resources to help you navigate teaching, professional growth, and life at WMU!
Explore the resources, events, and opportunities below, or contact the Office of Faculty Development.
Early Career Faculty Seminar
The Early Career Faculty Seminar (ECFS), hosted by the Office of Faculty Development, is a year-long program designed to equip new and early-career faculty with the support and tools needed to thrive at Western Michigan University. Through monthly sessions, participants engage with university leaders, senior faculty, and campus partners through interactive sessions tailored to the unique needs of early-career faculty. This seminar is ideal for new and pre-tenure faculty. The seminar begins each fall in September, but faculty are welcome to join at any time during the academic year. Explore the Early Career Faculty Seminar.
Early Career Faculty Resources
New Faculty Orientation
Western Michigan University's New Faculty Orientation (NFO) offered each Fall, is a three-day program designed to welcome new faculty, provide essential information about their roles, and foster a sense of belonging within the WMU community. 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 connect with colleagues and learn about resources available to support their success.
New Employee Orientation (NEO) is a separate offering by Human Resources.
Faculty hired after orientation or beginning in the spring are encouraged to contact the Office of Faculty Development for access to orientation resources and assistance connecting with campus resources. Faculty may also schedule a brief meeting with an OFD team member for additional guidance.
NCFDD
NCFDD
WMU has an institutional membership with NCFDD, the leading provider of professional development in higher education. As part of our membership, we can offer all faculty, academic staff and graduate students access to NCFDD. Visit the WMU NCFDD page for information on how to activate your membership and links to special WMU NCFDD events!
Tenure and Promotion Information
Tenure and Promotion Information
Faculty should also regularly consult their department policy statement and the WMU-AAUP Agreement for requirements and guidance. Information can be found on the following sites: Academic Labor Relations tenure and promotion information, Department Policy Statements, WMU AAUP Chapter Tenure and Promotion Information. Every semester, the WMU-AAUP holds a tenure and promotion workshop.
OFD offers confidential, one-on-one professional consultations with experienced faculty members to support faculty preparing for tenure and promotion, including guidance on teaching and research agendas.
New faculty members are encouraged to participate in the Early Career Faculty Seminar (ECFS), an annual offering.
Consultations, Facilitations & Supports
Consultations, Facilitations & Supports
The Teaching and Learning Team offers consultations, facilitations, and support on teaching, tenure and promotion, and professional development. Contact us for more information about what is available to you.
Supports for WMU Instructors
CTLD Instructional Supports
Partner with the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTLD) Instructional Support to design and build learner-centered courses grounded in evidence-based practice. From instructional design and Elearning development to course accessibility, we connect you to the right expertise and resources at every step. Coordinated, people-first support across every modality.
- Explore Teaching Resources, including semester checklists and teaching guides.
- Find upcoming workshops and programs on the Events and Opportunities page.
- Access Elearning and Instructional Technology Guides and Course Accessibility Support.
- Connect with CTLD for 1:1 consultations on course design and learner-centered teaching.