Image of reflected light inside Chapel of St Ignatius at Seattle University

New Faculty Institute

We're delighted that you are joining Seattle University! These webpages are designed to help you with your orientation as a new faculty member, or as a current SU faculty member stepping into a new role. NFI is organized by a planning team made up of representatives from the colleges and schools on behalf of the Provost.

Save the date

Monday, September 8, 2025

NFI Goals

A group picture of the NFI 2023 participants

Community

To build community across campus through cross-disciplinary professional development.

An image of light filtering through a leafy tree

Mission

To engage the Jesuit and Catholic mission of the university from our own identities and perspectives.

An image of a teacher working with a diverse group of graduate students.

Teaching

To model effective teaching practices in the Jesuit tradition.

NFI Goals continued

Sculpture by Dale Chihuly in Pigott Atrium

Inclusion

To ground the roles of faculty in an inclusive framework.

Labyrinth on the SU campus

Balance

To explore the art of balancing teaching, scholarship, and service.

IF YOU ARE NEW TO SU...

Click the heading below that best describes your role this academic year to see which sessions to attend.

Read on if you are new to SU and joining us in either:

  • a tenure-track (or tenured) faculty role (Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor), or
  • a Clinical or Teaching term faculty role (Assistant, Associate, or Full Clinical/Teaching Professor)

1. New Faculty Institute (NFI)

Your attendance is required.

  • We welcome and orient new members to our faculty through an annual New Faculty Institute (NFI), a contractual requirement for new full-time faculty. NFI provides a wonderful opportunity for you to meet new colleagues from across campus, learn about resources and support for faculty, and engage in discussions around teaching, scholarship, and Seattle University's mission. Each year, the NFI program receives positive reviews from faculty participants.

2. An ounce of prevention: Advice from the Office of the University Counsel

Your attendance is required.

  • In this follow-up session you will work with the Office of the University Counsel to gain an awareness of the ethical and applied legal context of working in higher education.

3. Thriving at SU as a term faculty member

This optional session is only open to term faculty members (i.e., those on the Clinical or Teaching Professor tracks, Librarians, Instructors, and Visiting Professors). Tenure-track or tenured faculty are not eligible to attend.

  • A discussion specific to the term faculty experience.

4. University rank and tenure panel

All full-time faculty are welcome to attend this event. Attendance is optional.

  • A panel discussion regarding University-level rank and tenure process. Be sure to check your college/school processes first.

Read on if you are new to SU and joining us in either:

  • an Instructor role, or
  • a Visiting Professor role (Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor)

1. New Faculty Institute (NFI)

Your attendance is optional, but encouraged.

  • We welcome and orient new members to our faculty through an annual New Faculty Institute (NFI). NFI provides a wonderful opportunity for you to meet new colleagues from across campus, learn about resources and support for faculty, and engage in discussions around teaching, scholarship, and Seattle University's mission. Each year, the NFI program receives positive reviews from faculty participants.

2. An ounce of prevention: Advice from the Office of the University Counsel

Your attendance is optional, but encouraged.

  • In this follow-up session you will work with the Office of the University Counsel to gain an awareness of the ethical and applied legal context of working in higher education.

3. Thriving at SU as a term faculty member

This optional session is only open to term faculty members (i.e., Instructors, Visiting Professors, Librarians, and those on the Clinical or Teaching Professor tracks). Tenure-track or tenured faculty are not eligible to attend.

  • A discussion specific to the term faculty experience.

4. University rank and tenure panel

All full-time faculty are welcome to attend this event. Attendance is optional.

  • A panel discussion regarding University-level rank and tenure process. Be sure to check your college/school processes first.

Read on if you are new to SU and joining us in either:

  • a librarian role in the Lemieux Library (Assistant, Associate, or Full Librarian), or
  • a librarian role in the Law School Library (Assistant, Associate, or Full Librarian)

1. New Faculty Institute (NFI)

Your attendance is required.

  • We welcome and orient new members to our faculty through an annual New Faculty Institute (NFI), a contractual requirement for new full-time faculty. NFI provides a wonderful opportunity for you to meet new colleagues from across campus, learn about resources and support for faculty, and engage in discussions around teaching, scholarship, and Seattle University's mission. Each year, the NFI program receives positive reviews from faculty participants.

2. An ounce of prevention: Advice from the Office of the University Counsel

Your attendance is required.

  • In this follow-up session you will work with the Office of the University Counsel to gain an awareness of the ethical and applied legal context of working in higher education.

3. Thriving at SU as a term faculty member

This optional session is only open to term faculty members (i.e., Librarians, those on the Clinical or Teaching Professor tracks, Instructors, and Visiting Professors). Tenure-track or tenured faculty are not eligible to attend.

  • A discussion specific to the term faculty experience.

4. University rank and tenure panel

All full-time faculty are welcome to attend this event. Attendance is optional.

  • A panel discussion regarding University-level rank and tenure process. Be sure to check your college/school processes first.

Read on if you are new to SU and joining us as a:

  • a newly appointed academic administrator (e.g., Dean, Vice President, Vice Provost, etc.)

1. New Faculty Institute (NFI)

Your attendance is optional, but encouraged.

  • We welcome and orient new members to our faculty through an annual New Faculty Institute (NFI). NFI provides a wonderful opportunity for you to meet new colleagues from across campus, learn about resources and support for faculty, and engage in discussions around teaching, scholarship, and Seattle University's mission. Each year, the NFI program receives positive reviews from faculty participants.

2. An ounce of prevention: Advice from the Office of the University Counsel

Your attendance is optional, but encouraged.

  • In this follow-up session you will work with the Office of the University Counsel to gain an awareness of the ethical and applied legal context of working in higher education.

3. Thriving at SU as a term faculty member

This optional session is only open to term faculty members. Tenure-track or tenured faculty are not eligible to attend.

  • A discussion specific to the term faculty experience.

4. University rank and tenure panel

All full-time faculty are welcome to attend this event. Attendance is optional.

  • A panel discussion regarding University-level rank and tenure process. Be sure to check your college/school processes first.

If you are a new part-time faculty member, please contact your college or school to find out about college- or school-specific orientation services available to you. The New Faculty Institute is specifically designed for full-time colleagues. We are currently investigating the possibility of providing a university-level asynchronous orientation to the university for part-time faculty.

IF YOU ARE NOT NEW TO SU, BUT STEPPING INTO A NEW ROLE...

Click the heading below that best describes your role this academic year to see which sessions to attend.

Read on if you are a current SU employee who is:

  • Transitioning from a term faculty (including part-time) role to a new tenure-track role

1. New Faculty Institute (NFI)

Your attendance is optional, but encouraged.

  • We welcome and orient new members to our faculty through an annual New Faculty Institute (NFI). NFI provides a wonderful opportunity for you to meet new colleagues from across campus, learn about resources and support for faculty, and engage in discussions around teaching, scholarship, and Seattle University's mission. Each year, the NFI program receives positive reviews from faculty participants.

2. An ounce of prevention: Advice from the Office of the University Counsel

Your attendance is optional.

  • In this follow-up session you will work with the Office of the University Counsel to gain an awareness of the ethical and applied legal context of working in higher education.

3. Thriving at SU as a term faculty member

This optional session is only open to term faculty members. Tenure-track or tenured faculty are not eligible to attend.

  • A discussion specific to the term faculty experience.

4. University rank and tenure panel

All full-time faculty are welcome to attend this event. Attendance is optional.

  • A panel discussion regarding University-level rank and tenure process. Be sure to check your college/school processes first.

Read on if you are a current SU employee who is:

  • Transitioning from a part-time role into a full-time term faculty role (e.g., Clinical or Teaching Professor track, Instructor, Librarian, or Visiting Professor)

1. New Faculty Institute (NFI)

Your attendance is optional, but encouraged.

  • We welcome and orient new members to our faculty through an annual New Faculty Institute (NFI). NFI provides a wonderful opportunity for you to meet new colleagues from across campus, learn about resources and support for faculty, and engage in discussions around teaching, scholarship, and Seattle University's mission. Each year, the NFI program receives positive reviews from faculty participants.

2. An ounce of prevention: Advice from the Office of the University Counsel

Your attendance is optional, but encouraged.

  • In this follow-up session you will work with the Office of the University Counsel to gain an awareness of the ethical and applied legal context of working in higher education.

3. Thriving at SU as a term faculty member

This optional session is only open to term faculty members. Tenure-track or tenured faculty are not eligible to attend.

  • A discussion specific to the term faculty experience.

4. University rank and tenure panel

All full-time faculty are welcome to attend this event. Attendance is optional.

  • A panel discussion regarding University-level rank and tenure process. Be sure to check your college/school processes first.

Read on if you are a current SU employee who is:

  • a newly appointed academic administrator (e.g., Dean, Vice President, Vice Provost, etc.)

1. New Faculty Institute (NFI)

Your attendance is optional, but encouraged.

  • We welcome and orient new members to our faculty through an annual New Faculty Institute (NFI). NFI provides a wonderful opportunity for you to meet new colleagues from across campus, learn about resources and support for faculty, and engage in discussions around teaching, scholarship, and Seattle University's mission. Each year, the NFI program receives positive reviews from faculty participants.

2. An ounce of prevention: Advice from the Office of the University Counsel

Your attendance is optional, but encouraged.

  • In this follow-up session you will work with the Office of the University Counsel to gain an awareness of the ethical and applied legal context of working in higher education.

3. Thriving at SU as a term faculty member

This optional session is only open to term faculty members. Tenure-track or tenured faculty are not eligible to attend.

  • A discussion specific to the term faculty experience.

4. University rank and tenure panel

All full-time faculty are welcome to attend this event. Attendance is optional.

  • A panel discussion regarding University-level rank and tenure process. Be sure to check your college/school processes first.

NFI 2025

Information on NFI 2025 will appear here in Spring

In the meantime, you can scroll down to learn more about last year's NFI

Overview2024 Calendar

Three NFI participants in table conversation

Two in-person days

on campus

balanced scale icon

One legal session

via Zoom

NFI Planning Team members in conversation

Two optional follow-up sessions

via Zoom

2024 in detail

9:45 Refreshments 

10:00 Welcome and introductions

Welcome from the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs, Jodi O’Brien, PhD 

About NFI 

Teaching in the Jesuit Tradition, part 1 (workshop)

Structured stretch break 

Teaching in the Jesuit Tradition, part 2 (workshop) 

12:30–1:15 Lunch 

Inclusive teaching, part 1 (workshop)

Break – coffee, tea, light snacks  

Inclusive teaching, part 2 (workshop)

Break 

We are a community, part 1 (workshop)

Preview of Day 2 

Group photo 

5:00 End

9:45 Refreshments 

10:00 Welcome back and re-introductions

Enhancing students’ academic success, part 1 (workshop)

Stretch break 

Enhancing students’ academic success, part 2 (workshop)

Break – coffee, tea 

We are a community, part 2 (workshop)

12:30–1:15 Lunch 

Holding space for the faculty member, part 1 (workshop)

Stretch break 

Holding space for the faculty member, part 2 (workshop)

Break – coffee, tea, light snacks  

We are a community, part 3 (workshop)

Closing comments from the Provost, Shane P. Martin, PhD 

Evaluation and close 

Reception (open until 6:00)

5:00 End

An ounce of prevention: Advice from the Office of the University Counsel 

Tue, Sep 17 | 11:00–12:30 | Zoom meeting

  • In this follow-up session you will work with the Office of the University Counsel to gain an awareness of the ethical and applied legal context of working in higher education.
Thriving at SU as a term faculty member

Thu, Oct 17 | 12:30–1:30 | Zoom meeting

  • This session focuses on the term faculty experience, and you'll be meeting existing SU term faculty to have your questions answered and hear examples of the many ways to thrive as an SU faculty member.
University rank and tenure panel 

Fri, Oct 25 | 3:30–5:00 | Zoom meeting

  • This session includes a panel discussion regarding University-level rank and tenure process. Be sure to check your college/school processes first so you can get the most out of the experience.

RSVP

by 9:00 am Pacific on Wednesday, August 28

Other sessions for new faculty

Click the links below to explore other sessions available to you via our colleagues in Human Resources and the Center for Digital Learning and Innovation.

HR Benefits Orientation:

The HR Benefits Orientation is completely optional. This session is a chance for you to learn about your benefit options and how to enroll as a newly eligible faculty member.

Please email brierles@seattleu.edu to choose one of the following HR Benefit Orientations, conducted virtually via Zoom. For an overview of benefit offerings, please view the HR Benefits webpage.

  • Wed, Aug 28, 2024 | 1:00–2:30 pm PST | Zoom
  • Tue, Sept 10, 2024 | 10:00–11:30 am PST | Zoom

Canvas Basics Training:

The Canvas Basics training, facilitated by the Center for Digital Learning & Innovation (CDLI), is completely optional. This session introduces the core Canvas tools to upload, organize, and distribute course content, communications, as well as collect student papers and distribute grades and feedback. We encourage you to attend if you haven't had much experience working with Canvas in the past. Pick a Canvas Basics training date here.

RSVP for NFI 2024

Please register by 9:00 am on Wednesday, August 28 so that we can include you in this year's NFI. If your contract comes through later, then please don't worry - we'll add you to the list for next year's program instead.

RSVP (opens in a new tab)
Image of colorful light filtered through a stained glass window

NFI Planning Team

NFI is organized by a planning team of faculty, led by the Center for Faculty Development.

Contact Us NFI Office

For NFI program-related inquiries. All other college- or department-specific inquiries should be directed to your program's administrative assistant, chair/director, or dean.

Rachel Olson

NFI Program Coordinator

Contact Us HR Academic Operations

For contract or employment inquiries. All other college- or department-specific inquiries should be directed to your program's administrative assistant, chair/director, or dean.

Sandra Brierley

HR Manager, Academic Operations