CTL is currently undergoing changes, and some tools on this page are under maintenance. We appreciate your patience during this transition. If you need immediate support, please submit a consult request here.
New Faculty Orientation
Join us for new faculty orientation. More details to be announced for the Fall 25 semester.
Date: 18-19 August, 2025
Main Location: O’Neil, Room 201, or via Zoom
Monday, August 18th: All New Faculty
| Time (AKT) | Activity |
|---|---|
| 8:00am – 8:30am | Check-in: coffee/tea & snacks |
| 8:30am – 9:00am | Welcome to UAF! Ice breaker activity |
| 9:00am – 9:30am | UAF Mission, Vision, & History An introduction to UAF’s mission, vision, and institutional history, highlighting the university’s values, identity, and role in serving Alaska (and beyond). Session Panelist: Carla Browning, Onboarding and Engagement Manager |
| 9:30 – 10:00am | Welcome from UAF Executive Leadership Meet members of UAF’s executive leadership to hear about their roles in supporting the university’s mission and your success as faculty. Session Panelists: Interim Chancellor Mike Sfraga Interim Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Charlene Stern Other core cabinet members |
| 10:00 – 10:15 am | Break |
| 10:15am – noon | Academic and Administrative Affairs Overview Includes guidance on promotion and tenure, workload expectations (bipartite/tripartite), sabbaticals, unit criteria, CBA policies, college/unit onboarding, and key HR contacts. Session Panelists: Jennifer Hoppough, Chief of Faculty Affairs and Services Lisa Yancey, Director of Operations, CIS Heather Moreira, Systems Interface Designer – Book Time Kim Washburn, Senior HR Business Partner |
| Noon – 1:30pm | Catered Lunch & Learn Optional Airtable hands-on practice with Jen Hoppough and Heather Moreira |
| 1:30 – 2:00pm | Conversation with Deans & Director An informal Q&A with academic leadership about workloads, annual evaluations, and faculty mentoring. Session Panel includes deans, directors, or their designees. |
| 2:00 – 3:00pm | Student Support Session 1 Learn how key student support offices partner with faculty to ensure student success. Gain insights into the resources available to help you navigate student needs, policies, and processes. Session Panelists: Holly McDonald, Registrar Jessica Skipper, Office of the Registrar – Nanook Navigator early alerts Kaydee Van Flein, Director, Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability Amber Cagwin,Director Disability Support Services Ashley Munro, Director, Financial Aid & Admissions |
| 3:00 – 3:15pm | Break |
| 3:15pm – 4:30pm | Visit the Center for Teaching & Learning and the Making is Learning Lab (MILL) Learn about UAF’s student population and the teaching resources available through the CTL. Meet instructional designers, explore opportunities to record instructor introductions in the Teaching and Learning Studio, and discover how the MILL supports instructional innovation. Session Panelists: Christen Booth, Creative Director Zach Cureton-Hazard, Instructional Designer Sean Holland, Associate Director of Learning Innovation Kendell Newman Sadiik, Associate Director of Transformative Teaching Jenn Pedersen, Executive Director, Center for Teaching & Learning |
Tuesday, August 19th: All New Faculty
| Time (AKT) | Activity |
|---|---|
| 8:30am – 9:00am | Check-in: Coffee/Tea & Snacks |
| 9:00am – 10:00am | Research Support Resources Get an overview of the research support services available to faculty, including funding opportunities, compliance guidelines, proposal development, and institutional resources. Panelists will highlight how their offices can assist you in advancing your research and creative activities at UAF Session Panelists: Michelle Bunch Interim Director, OGCA Tara Borland, Alaska NSF EPSCoR Denise Thorsen, Alaska NASA EPSCoR Peter Webley, Alaska Center ICE/ OIPC URSA Julie Benson, INBRE |
| 10:00am – 3:00pm | Drop-in headshot station at the Wood Center begins |
| 10:00am – 10:30am | Governance, and other faculty responsibilities Learn about the role of Faculty Senate in shaping academic policy and shared governance at UAF. Faculty Senate leadership will share insights into faculty responsibilities beyond the classroom and information on how to get involved in university decision-making. Session Panelists: Leah Berman, Faculty Senate President Debu Misra, Faculty Senate President-elect |
| 10:30 – 10:45am | Break |
| 10:45am – noon | Graduate Student Voices: Mentoring for Success Hear directly from UAF graduate Students about their diverse research interests, academic experiences, and what they need to thrive. This panel offers valuable insight into effective mentoring practices and practical advice. Session Panelists: Emeline Jones, Graduate School Director Bill Schnable, Dean CEM Carissa Pienkowski: MS Biology and Wildlife Kevin Huo: MA Arctic and Northern Studies Morakinyo Labiran: PhD in Engineering Yuquing Wang: PhD in Natural Resource and Sustainability |
| Noon – 1:30pm | Catered Lunch & Learn Special guests Trent Sutton, Vice Provost and Accreditation Liaison Officer and members of Nanook Technology Services |
| 1:30pm – 2:00pm | Faculty Representation: Discussion with United Academics Hear from representatives of United Academics about the role of the faculty union at UAF. This session offers an overview of collective bargaining, faculty rights, and how the union supports its members. Panelists will also be available to answer questions. Session Panelists: Ingrid Johnson, Vice President, United Academics Melanie Arthur, Contract Manager, United Academic |
| 2:00 – 2:15pm | Break *Regroup at the Student Success Center, 6th floor of the Rasmuson Library |
| 3:00 pm | Drop-in Headshot Station at the Wood Center Ends |
| 2:15 – 3:30pm | Student Support Session II Explore the range of student services housed in the Student Success Center and learn how these areas support academic achievement. This interactive session includes a guided tour with each panelist introducing their area and highlighting how faculty can connect students with support. Featured services include advising, tutoring, library support, testing, and academic skill-building resources. Session panelists: Jen Tilbury, Associate Vice Provost, Student Success Tim Schere, Director of Advising Drake Jesse & Genova Boyd, Library Holly Cervin, Testing Services, Testing Center Manager Latrice Bowman, Math Tutors, Associate Professor of Mathematics |
| 3:30 – 4:30pm | Faculty-to-Faculty: Advice for Your First Year A relaxed conversation where experienced faculty will share their perspectives on starting out at UAF. Panelists from across the university will offer practical tips, reflections, and advice to help you navigate your first year with confidence. Session Panelists: Jericho Williams, CLA Kristen Gorman, CFOS Jessica Glass, CFOS Arghya Kusum Das, CEM Melissa Ward Jones, CEM Robyn Henry, CIS Carol Gray, CLA Ingrid Johnson, CLA |
| 4:30pm | Wrap up! |