Dear Faculty,
While you are in the transition period between spring classes and your summer activities, we want to share exciting news about two new faculty development programs we will be launching this fall to promote faculty growth and success as part of our new strategic plan, Change Starts Here.
For our tenured faculty members, we are thrilled to announce the establishment of a new Faculty Development Leave Program, which will provide tenured faculty members with paid leave from teaching and service responsibilities to allow them to focus on research, scholarship, and creative endeavors. At other universities, this type of leave is commonly called a sabbatical. And for our professional-track faculty members, we will be launching a new Faculty Development Award Program, which will provide up to $10,000 to support the professional development opportunities and activities of each awardee.
These programs are just two of the many initiatives we hope to design and implement during the years ahead as we realize the faculty-related aspirations outlined in the strategic plan. We continue to collaborate with deans and leaders in the colleges and schools as we finalize details and implementation plans, and we look forward to sharing more information with you about both new programs in August.
In the meantime, we hope you have a healthy, safe, productive, and restful summer. Thank you, once again, for everything you do to shape the lives of our students and advance our university’s mission. Your flexibility, compassion, and continued excellence throughout the year have helped make possible a world-class learning experience for our students.
Hook ’em!
Jay Hartzell
President
Sharon L. Wood
Executive Vice President and Provost