The First-Year Faculty Experience (FYFE) Program includes a series of workshops grounded in providing new faculty members with an understanding of their roles and responsibilities, faculty evaluation and elevation processes, and rank progression at UVM. Using an equity-centered model for providing new faculty support, each session considers the diversity of faculty experiences, the impact on access to timely professional information, and to resources that bridge the gaps of information which can sometimes impede faculty success.

The FYFE Program is comprised of six to eight sessions scheduled over the academic year targeting first year faculty, Henderson-Harris Fellows, and other post-doctoral fellows. It is a part of the UVM‘s comprehensive faculty mentoring program, alongside the Mid-Career Faculty Experience (MCFE) and the Demystifying the RPT Process programs at UVM.

For questions, please contact Jennifer Diaz at Jennifer.Diaz@uvm.edu.

Academic Year 2023-2024

  • Session Six - Friday, March 15, 2024, 11:00 AM-1:00 PM: "The First-Year Faculty Experience of Preparing for the First Reappointment Review Process at UVM" (in conjunction with the "Demystifying the RPT Process I - All Faculty: Preparation for First Reappointment" workshop)
    Session Description: This workshop will focus on discussions and sharing of resources to support the new faculty member’s experience of preparing their Blue Sheets for the First Formal Reappointment Review process. Discussions include the importance of knowing your unit's RPT/RP guidelines, the CBA guidelines, needs, and requirements for both tenure-track and non-tenure-track faculty preparing for their First Unit Level Reappointment Review process. Presenters will also review the Blue Sheet form, structure, instructions, and requirements. They will offer recommendations for submitting a strong and well-developed portfolio for a faculty member’s First Reappointment Review.
    Panelists:
    - Colby Kervick, Associate Professor, Department of Education, College of Education and Social Services (CESS)
    - Nicole Conroy, Assistant Professor, Department of Counseling, Human Development, and Family Science, College of Education and Social Services (CESS)
    Moderator:
    - Jane E. Okech, Professor of Counselor Education & Supervision; Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
    Location: Microsoft Teams
    (Materials - PDF)
     
  • Session Five - February 23, 2024, 11:00 AM-1:00 PM: "The First-Year Faculty Experience of Academic Advising at UVM"
    Session Description: This workshop will focus on discussions and sharing of resources to support the new faculty member’s experience of developing a successful student academic advising practice at UVM. Panelists will share strategies for effective student advising that have worked for them and offer recommendations for new faculty members. Panelists will also address differences between strategies that work with both undergraduate and graduate students and provide suggestions for effective thesis and dissertation advising.
    Panelists:
    - Alison Brody, Professor, Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)
    - Joan Marie (Rosi) Rosebush, Senior Lecturer, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences (CEMS)
    - Luis Vivanco, Professor and Chair, Department of Anthropology, College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)
    - Sarah Heath, Director, UVM Career Center
    Moderator:
    - Kelly Clark/Keefe, Professor, Department of Education, Interim Associate Dean of Academic and Faculty Affairs, College of Education and Social Services
    Location: Microsoft Teams
     
  • Session Four - January 19, 2024, 11:00 AM-1:00 PM: "The First-Year Faculty Experience of Grant Writing at UVM"
    Session Description: This workshop will examine strategies for developing grant applications and funding your research.  Presenters will address identifying funding sources and the writing and editing support UVM Research Development provides. The workshop will also address what makes a good Research Impacts Plan – or, more generally, how to enhance the impact of your research through collaborating with community organizations and other partners. The workshop will enable you to learn about systems and structures at UVM to help support your research and faculty support systems to facilitate your success.
    Panelists:
    - Ingrid Barcelo, Grant Proposal Developer, Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR)
    - Brady Liss, Grant Proposal Developer - CAS, Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR)
    Moderator:
    - Jane E. Okech, Professor of Counselor Education & Supervision; Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
    Location: Microsoft Teams
    (Materials - PDF)
    ​
  • Session Three - December 8, 2023, 11:00 AM-1:00 PM: "The First-Year Faculty Experience of Research and Scholarship at UVM"
    Session Description: This workshop will focus on discussions and sharing of resources to support the new faculty member’s experience of developing a successful research and scholarship strategic plan at UVM.
    Panelists:
    - Heidi Malaby, Grant Proposal Developer, Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR)
    - Erin McConnell, Grant Proposal Developer - CEMS/CAS, Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR)
    Moderator:
    - Jane E. Okech, Professor of Counselor Education & Supervision; Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
    Location: Microsoft Teams
    (Materials - PDF)
     
  • Session Two - November 3, 2023, 11:00 AM-1:00 PM: "The First-Year Faculty Experience of Teaching at UVM"
    Session Description: This workshop provides foundational guidance for new faculty on teaching preparation, competency development, evaluations, and developing effective strategies for the classroom.
    Panelists:
    - Holly Buckland Parker, Educational Developer, Graduate Teaching Program Coordinator, Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), Division of Faculty Affairs (DOFA)
    - Laura Hill, Senior Lecturer, Department of Plant Biology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS)
    - Dianna (Annie) Murray-Close, Professor, Department of Psychological Science, College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)
    - Pramodita (Dita) Sharma, Professor and Schlessinger-Grossman Chair of Family Business, Grossman School of Business (GSB)
    Moderator:
    - Jane E. Okech, Professor of Counselor Education & Supervision; Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
    Location: Microsoft Teams
     
  • Session One - September 29, 2023, 11:00 AM-1:00 PM: "The First-Year Faculty Experience of Belonging at UVM"
    Session Description: The objective of this workshop is to support new faculty in understanding and negotiating their multiple identities and their intersections with their faculty role, professional and personal, and having productive engagement with UVM students, staff, and faculty colleagues. The session serves as a foundational workshop on: (a) Contextualizing faculty’s experience of UVM’s “Our Common Ground” and evolving dynamics related to cultural diversity, equity, belonging, and justice; (b) Exploring strategies for bridging experiences of difference and similarity (domestic and international); (c) Finding and establishing their voice; (d) Generating options for further resources.
    Panelist:
    - Sherwood Smith, Senior Executive Director for Inclusive Excellence and Faculty Engagement, Division of Diversity. Equity and Inclusion
    Moderator:
    - Jane E. Okech, Professor of Counselor Education & Supervision; Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
    Location: Microsoft Teams


Academic Year 2022-2023

  • Session Six - Friday, April 21, 2023, 11:00 AM-1:00 PM: “The First-Year Faculty Experience of Preparing for the First Reappointment Review Process at UVM”
    This workshop will focus on discussions and sharing of resources that can support the new faculty member’s experience of preparing their Blue Sheets for the First Formal Reappointment Review process. Discussions include the importance of knowing your units RPT/RP guidelines, the CBA guidelines, needs and requirements for both tenure-track and non-tenure track faculty preparing for their First Unit Level Reappointment Review process. Presenters will also review the “Blue Sheet” form, its structure, instructions, and requirements and will offer recommendations for submitting a strong and well-developed portfolio for a faculty member’s First Reappointment Review.
    Panelists:
    - Tracy Arámbula Turner, Associate Professor and Program Coordinator, Higher Education and Student Affairs, Department of Education, College of Education and Social Services
    - Jane Okech, Professor and former Chair, Department of Leadership & Development Sciences (now Department of Counseling, Human Development & Family Science), CESS, and Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
    Location: Microsoft Teams
     
  • Session Five - Friday, March 24, 2023, 11:30 AM-1:00 PM: "The First-Year Faculty Experience of Academic Advising at UVM"
    This workshop will focus on discussions and sharing of resources that can support the new faculty member’s experience of developing a successful student academic advising practice at UVM. Panelists will share strategies for effective students advising that have worked for them, and offer recommendations for new faculty members. Panelists will also address differences between strategies that work with Undergraduate and Graduate students and will offer recommendations for effective thesis and dissertation advising.
    Panelists:
    - Eleanor M. Miller, Professor, Department of Sociology, CAS
    - Joan Marie Rosebush (Rosi), Senior Lecturer, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, CEMS
    - Alison K Brody, Professor, Department of Biology, CAS
    - Cynthia Forehand, Professor, Department of Neurological Sciences, Dean of the Graduate College
    - Sarah Health, Director, UVM Career Center
    - Moderator: Jane Okech, Professor and Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
    Location: Microsoft Teams
     
  • Session Four - Friday, February 24, 2023, 11:00 AM-1:00 PM: "The First-Year Faculty Experience of Grant Writing at UVM"
    This workshop will focus on examining strategies for development grant applications and funding your research.  Presenters will address how you can identify funding sources and the writing and editing support UVM Research Development provides. The workshop will also address what makes a good Research Impacts Plan – or more generally, how to enhance the impact of your research through collaborating with community organizations and other partners. The workshop will enable you to learn about systems and structures at UVM to help support your research, as well as faculty support systems to facilitate your success.
    Panelists:
    - Jeralyn Haraldsen, Director or Research Development, Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR)
    - Ingrid Barcelo, Grant Proposal Developer, Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR)
    Location: Microsoft Teams
    (Materials - PDF)
     
  • Session Three - Friday, January 20, 2023, 11:00 AM-1:00 PM: "The First-Year Faculty Experience of Research and Scholarship at UVM"
    This workshop will focus on discussions and sharing of resources that can support the new faculty member’s experience of developing a successful research and scholarship strategic plan at UVM.
    Panelists:
    - Jeralyn Haraldsen, Director or Research Development, Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR)
    - Ingrid Barcelo, Grant Proposal Developer, Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR)
    Location: Microsoft Teams
     
  • Session Two - Friday, November 11, 2022, 11:00 AM-1:00 PM: "The Faculty Experience of Teaching at UVM"
    The objective of this workshop is to provide a foundational workshop experience for new faculty on teaching at UVM. The workshop will include discussions on: (a) How to prepare for your teaching experience; (b) How to approach competency development in inclusive pedagogy; (c) How to evaluate your teaching and recommended documentation; (d) How to prepare for/and respond to student, peer and chair evaluations of your teaching; (e) How to prepare and develop effective strategies for negotiating challenging experiences in the classroom; and (f) Generating options for further resources.
    Panelists:
    - Annie Murray-Close, Professor, Department of Psychological Science, College of Arts & Sciences
    - Laura Hill, Senior Lecturer, Department of Plant Biology, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
    - Holly Buckland Parker, Educational Developer and Graduate Teaching Program Coordinator, Center for Teaching & Learning
    - Cynthia Reyes, Associate Professor, Department of Education, Associate Dean for Academis & Faculty Affairs, College of Education & Social Services
    - Jane Okech, Professor and former Chair, Department of Leadership & Development Sciences (now Department of Counseling, Human Development & Family Science), College of Education & Social Services, and Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
    Location: Microsoft Teams
     
  • Session One - Friday, October 14, 2022, 11:00 AM-1:00 PM: "The Faculty Experience of Belonging at UVM"
    The objective of this workshop is to support new faculty in understanding and negotiating their multiple identities and their intersections with their faculty role, professional and personal, and having  productive engagement with UVM students, staff and  faculty colleagues. The session serves as a foundational workshop on: (a) Contextualizing faculty’s  experience of UVM’s “our common ground”, and evolving dynamics related to cultural diversity, equity, belonging, and justice; (b) Exploring strategies on bridging experiences of difference and similarity (domestic & international); (c) Finding and establishing their voice; (d) Generating options for further resources.
    Moderator:
    - Sherwood Smith, Senior Executive Director for Inclusive Excellence and Faculty Engagement, Division of Diversity. Equity & Inclusion
    Location: Jost Foundation Room, Davis Center 422
    (Materials - PDF)
     

AY 2021-2022 Brown Bag Sessions:

  • Session One - September 8, 2021: "New to the Faculty Meet and Greet", Patricia Prelock, Provost and Senior Vice President, and Jim Vigoreaux, Vice Provost for Faculty Affiars (Location: Memorial Lounge, Waterman 338)
  • Session Two - October 13, 2021: "Inclusive Pedagogy and the Pursuit of Inclusive Excellence", Amer Ahmed, Vice Provost for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (Slides - PDF) (Location: Frank Livak Room, Davis Center 417)
  • Session Three - November 10, 2021: "How Are You Doing? – Connecting with Colleagues", sponsored by the Writing in the Disciplines Program (Location: Microsoft Teams)
  • Session Four - February 9, 2022: "The Power of Transparent Assignment Design", sponsored by the Center for Teaching and Learning (Location: Microsoft Teams)
  • Session Five - March 9, 2022: "Contemplative Teaching and Learning: Theory, Research, and Practice" Laura Hill, Senior Lecturer, Department of Plant Biology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (Slides - PDF) (Location: Microsoft Teams)
  • Session Six - April 13, 2022: "A New Vision for Disseminating  Scholarship", Bryn Geffert, Dean, University Libraries (Slides - PDF) (Location: Microsoft Teams)

​

AY 2020-2021 Brown Bag Sessions:

  • Session One - September 29, 2020: New to the Faculty Meet and Greet with Provost Prelock and Vice Provost Vigoreaux
  • Session Two - October 8, 2020: Engaging the Elephant: Addressing Religion and Other Worldviews in the Classroom
  • Session Three - November 12, 2020: Developing a Strategic Plan to Achieve Your Research Goals (Slides - PDF)
  • Session Four - January 28, 2021: Self-Plagiarism and How It Could Affect Your Career (Session Recording; Slides - PDF)
  • Session Five - February 11, 2021: Unpacking Difficult Classroom Situations
    (Slides - PDF; Reading Materials - PDF; References - PDF)
  • Session Six - March 11, 2021: Professional Development & Training - Connecting to Our Common Ground (Session Recording; Slides - PDF)
  • Session Seven - April 8, 2021: Contemplative Teaching and Learning: Theory, Research, and Practice (Blog Post; Web page; Slides - PDF)

*All sessions held Noon-1:30 PM via Microsoft Teams.
 

AY 2019-2020 Brown Bag Sessions:

*All sessions held Noon-1:30 PM in the Jost Foundation Room 422 (unless indicated with an asterisk), located on the fourth floor of the Dudley H. Davis Center. 

AY 2018-2019 Brown Bag Sessions: