The Center for Faculty Development & Advancement (CFDA) orients all new CU Denver faculty through its New Faculty Orientation programming. We welcome new faculty and help them to build their professional practice through a year-long cycle of programming and mentoring.
Since the majority of faculty members are hired on an "August start" timeline, our Welcome Day takes place in mid-August each year. We encourage faculty members who are hired for Spring, Summer, or mid-semester starts to contact us at cfda@ucdenver.edu. We're glad to welcome you to a Mentoring Circle, to provide access to Online New Faculty Orientation, and to provide any individual support that you need.
We're glad that you're here!
August Welcome Day
Each August, we welcome all new faculty members to campus. "August Welcome Day" focuses on introducing new faculty members to CU Denver's leadership & culture. It provides new faculty members with opportunities to connect and ask questions.
Welcome Day Agenda: August 14, 2023
- 7:30-8:00AM: Breakfast burritos! New Faculty gather at 2500 Student Commons Building.
- 8:00: Welcome from the CFDA. Introduction to CU Denver.
- 8:10: Welcome from Chancellor Michelle Marks, Provost Constancio Nakuma, and Faculty Assembly representative Vivian Shyu
- 8:50: "We Are CU Denver!" Student Panel
- 9:15: Round tables with campus leaders.
- 9:45: Coffee break. Shift over to the third floor of the Learning Commons Building.
- 10:00: Visit from Center for Excellence in Teaching & Learning (CETL)
- 10:10: Classroom Technology Tour (hosted by the Classroom Technology Support Team)
- 10:50: Break
- 11:00: Your choice: campus tour or conversation with new colleagues.
- 12:00: Lunch at the CFDA
- 12:30: One-minute presentation on Writing Affinity Groups (Faculty Fellow Rachel Stein)
- 12:31: Three Ways Faculty Can Create a Thriving Educational Culture of Belonging at CU Denver, with Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Antonio Farias
- 1:00: Mentoring Circles: meet your mentor and connect with new colleagues. Begin to plan your professional development for the year ahead.
- 2:00-3:00: Optional: Salsa party with the Campus Deans! (hosted by Los Molinos restaurant)
- You will be invited to join in two workshops just for new faculty:
- Aug. 29th, 2:30-3:00: Five Things All New Faculty Should Know
- Date/time TBD: Affinity Groups Mixer
- You will be asked to complete online, asynchronous learning on faculty policies from University of Colorado Human Resources (forthcoming).
- We encourage you to register for a "Canvas Basics" workshop via the
Office of Digital Education to learn more about the Canvas learning management system.
During Your First Month at CU Denver
Throughout Your First Year at CU Denver
Participate in monthly meetings with an Early-Career Faculty Mentoring Program "Mentoring Circle."
Beginning in August 2023, the CFDA will offer a cycle of six to eight workshops focused on building your professional practice throughout the academic year. New faculty who complete the cycle will receive a certificate from the CFDA.
Questions? Contact the CFDA at cfda@ucdenver.edu.
Online NFO
Faculty members who are hired for Spring, Summer, or mid-semester starts are invited to participate in the CFDA's Online New Faculty Orientation. Faculty members who are hired for an August start and who are unable to attend New Faculty Orientation in person may also request access.
Online New Faculty Orientation is offered through CU Denver's Canvas learning management system. Please email the CFDA at cfda@ucdenver.edu to request an enrollment link.
Looking Ahead
The CFDA has big plans for new faculty in the coming year. Some of the things we're working on are:
- Mentoring Circles for faculty hired during the covid-19 pandemic (primarily 2020 and 2021)
- Expanded Mentoring Circles for second- and third-year faculty members, focused on having fun & getting to know Colorado
