OFDA The Office of Faculty Development and Advancement
Who We Are
Our Vision:
to cultivate and support a vibrant campus culture where faculty members feel supported, valued, and challenged to grow both personally and professionally from hire to retire.
Our Mission:
to provide programming that help faculty create dynamic learning experiences for tomorrow’s leaders, to create active networks of faculty that help them reach their creative potential, and to celebrate the unique talents and achievements of faculty members.
Our Goals:
- to recognize and celebrate faculty expertise.
- to build communities of faculty across campus.
- to provide resources and development programs to meet the needs of faculty.
- to support faculty in becoming agents of their own career development from hire to retire.
Our Core Values:
Value & Respect: OFDA recognizes that members of the faculty are scholars and lifelong learners. Faculty time is valuable, and time spent in OFDA programming is an investment in career advancement. OFDA programming recognizes that:
- Development programming should be responsive to the needs of the faculty.
- Time spent in OFDA programming should be active and productive rather than passive.
Collaboration: Networks of diverse faculty can create innovative solutions. OFDA values collaboration across ranks and disciplines and between campus departments to create networks, expand opportunities, and improve communication.
Inclusion: Faculty members bring unique skills and talents in support of the institutional mission. Programming is rooted in the idea that not all faculty will pursue the same career paths and that inclusion requires an open-mindedness and willingness to listen to and learn from others.
Recognition: Both Faculty and the institution benefit by being aware of, building on, and celebrating faculty achievements in teaching, scholarly activities, and service.
Scholarship: The scholarship of teaching and learning provides the basis for programming. Innovative pedagogical approaches will not only be shared but will be employed in OFDA workshops.
Upcoming Programming:
- Mutual Mentoring and Faculty Learning Community Information Sessions - In Person: Tuesday, Sign Up For Summer Writing Groups
- Reducing Your Grading Load: Online Course in D2L - Coming July 15, 2023 to D2L
SUMMER 2023 - Faculty Writing Groups
Join a faculty writing group can significantly increase your productivity and proficiency in writing. Find out more about how a writing group can improve your publication and tips for academic writing here by clicking the link above.
Doing research or teaching over the summer? Join a summer 2023 writing group! Groups will meet once a week alternating between side-by-side writing and peer review.
Sign up here
All-Campus Mentoring Circles
Mentoring circles provide an opportunity to share concerns, strategies and successes with your peers on campus.
Peer Mentoring Circles
Early Career Faculty (ECF) Programs
A number of programs have been developed for early career faculty to get a jump start on their careers.
Individual Teaching, Syllabus & Course Reviews and D2L Support
We're here to review your syllabus, help review your course design, set up mid-term course evaluations - anything to help you with an unbiased review of your teaching. We can also help you create a teaching philosophy or outline narratives for annual evaluation or P&T dossiers. Just email us to set up a time to meet. Adrian Vopnford is available for individual appointments to help with D2L.
Online resources: