At Trinity, we believe that excellence in teaching, research, and service is the result of intentional planning, self-reflective practice, and learning from others. As a result, the University encourages faculty members to avail themselves of the many resources on campus and across the country to support their learning and growth.
New Faculty Orientation
Newly hired faculty members will be contacted regarding New Faculty Orientation, a series of programs designed to help new colleagues familiarize themselves with Trinity’s policies, resources, and our organizational culture.
Orientation is typically held the week before classes begin each August. Questions can be referred to Dr. Duane Coltharp, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs: Curriculum and Faculty Development.
Mentorship Program
In recognition of the challenges associated with transitioning to a new campus, upon arriving on campus, each early career faculty member is paired with a faculty mentor to offer advice, support, and mentorship.
Additional Development Funds
The VPAA for Budget and Research disburses funds to support short-term, one-time projects and opportunities for faculty development. As described in Chapter 4 of the Faculty Handbook, the funds will be used to support activities that are not provided for through your department and/or other available funds.
These awards are considered on a rolling basis and faculty who seek development support must first consult with their Department Chair to initiate a request.
Early Career Faculty Lunches
These take place in The Collaborative for Learning and Teaching and often focus on a shared interest topic, i.e., Research Group, Writing Group. These are opportunities to share research- or writing-in-progress and strategies with peer colleagues and promote a new generation of scholarship.
The Collaborative also holds periodic lunches on the issues most pressing for early career faculty, including those on work-life balance, teaching, promotion and tenure, grant opportunities, and research.
ACS Summer Teaching Workshop
Trinity regularly sponsors an early career faculty member to attend this Associated Colleges of the South annual event, which is designed to strengthen teaching performance, expand instruction techniques, and explore pedagogical issues within small private liberal arts colleges.
Department Chairs are invited to nominate a colleague in their area to participate.
Current and Aspiring Leaders
Trinity is committed to developing a community of faculty, staff, and student leaders. Faculty members who are interested in developing their acumen for academic leadership can discuss the following opportunities with AVPAA Duane Coltharp:
American Council on Education (ACE) Fellows Program
A customized learning experience that enables vice presidents, deans, department chairs, faculty, and other emerging leaders to spend a year in residence at another institution.
Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) Workshops for Department Chairs
Trinity regularly sponsors the participation of Department Chairs in workshops to help them develop their skills as academic leaders.
In addition, Trinity recognizes that individual faculty may be best served by engaging in other forms of faculty development beyond the examples named above. Faculty members are encouraged to consult with their department chair and Academic Affairs staff to discuss individualized personal and professional development plans.