Lunches for First Year Tenure Track Facuty
Throughout each academic year, the Dean of Academic Affairs, Ivy Broder, assisted by CTE, hosts monthly luncheons for first year tenure-track faculty members. These luncheons provide opportunities for new faculty to become acquainted with colleagues from other departments. Dean Broder, AU’s Academic Officer most responsible for faculty development and well-being, is given an opportunity to check in with her new colleagues and personally acquaint them with challenges they are likely to encounter in their first year. A ‘safe space’ is provided for discussing the sensitive issues of teaching evaluations and tenure. New faculty are personally introduced to staff members in important support organizations including the Counseling Center, the Academic Support Center, the Office of Sponsored Programs and the Career Center.
These monthly luncheons, instituted by Dean Broder nearly a decade ago, have become an important AU tradition, emphasizing the University’s commitment to fully support all newly hired faculty in meeting the very high standards required for tenure and promotion. The bi annual luncheons for second year tenure track faculty, however, mark the beginning of a new tradition. Dean Broder initiated these luncheons in 2001, responding to requests from faculty who missed the monthly gatherings of their first year and sought some way for them to continue.
“Reunion lunches” has they are colloquially called, have become a forum for candid discussions between second year faculty and outstanding senior colleagues, who are typically completing seven or eight years of service. Participants are chosen who have, with distinction, successfully met challenges that the second year cohort will soon be facing. In the fall, prior to the time new faculty will be seeking outside funding for their third year junior faculty teaching release, some of AU’s most successfully fund raisers share their experiences and offer tips. In the spring, second year cohort members are introduced to three colleagues who were recently awarded tenure and who share their experiences of passing this important professional milestone.
Overall the goal of these two luncheon programs is to build community across departments, to introduce important university resources and to nurture collegial dialogue within faculty peer-groups. They affirm the message first communicated to new faculty at the fall orientation and welcome: that AU’s administration is committed to having every one of them succeed as teachers, scholars and engaged colleagues who serve the institution. |
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Office
Director's Office
Location
Hurst Hall, Room 206-D
Hours
Mon - Fri: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Contact
Phone: (202) 885-2117
Email: ctegeneral@american.edu
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Related Links
-Faculty Lunches |
