New Faculty Program

New Faculty Program (NFP) Overview

New Faculty Orientation

New Faculty Community Building

New Faculty Program Coordinators

The New Faculty Program (NFP) is coordinated by Dr. Katherine Steinmetz (Psychology) and Dr. Jessica Tomkins (History). Feel free to contact them any time with questions you may have about the New Faculty Program, moving to Wofford/Spartanburg, or anything else you need help with. The NFP is overseen by Dr. Dan Mathewson, associate provost for faculty development.

New Faculty Program Purpose

The purpose of the New Faculty Program (NFP) is to guide and support new faculty as they transition to their new institutional home. While much of the NFP focuses on new tenure-track faculty, it also includes support opportunities for contingent faculty and pre-tenured faculty in their second year and beyond. The NFP has a just-in-time structure that delivers information, programming, and support in rhythm with the most urgent needs of new faculty as they adjust to life at Wofford. The NFP provides support for your transition to Wofford, small liberal arts colleges and Spartanburg, including:

  • Orientation to the small liberal arts college within the context of the broader landscape of higher education
  • Orientation to the broader Spartanburg community
  • Basic institutional logistics (i.e., photo IDs, parking, classroom spaces, etc.)
  • Faculty life at Wofford
  • Teaching support
  • Mentorship
  • Cohort Community Building

New Faculty Program for Tenure-Track Faculty & Instructors

The college expects new faculty to attend all New Faculty Program events throughout their first year at Wofford. The New Faculty Program offers the following support to tenure-track faculty and instructors:

  • Delivery of information throughout the summer before your first fall semester
  • Orientation in August before your first semester of teaching
  • Monthly lunches on different topics related to life at Wofford
  • Specific programming for first year faculty by the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning
  • Mentorship program throughout your first year
  • Community-building opportunities

Participation in the New Faculty Program is required throughout the year for all tenure track and instructor faculty.

New Faculty Program for Visiting Assistant Professors

The New Faculty Program offers the following support during your visiting year at Wofford:

  • Delivery of information throughout the summer before your first Fall semester
  • Orientation in August before your first semester of teaching
  • Monthly lunches on different topics related to life at Wofford
  • Community-building opportunities
  • Job application support

For visiting faculty, attendance at orientation in August is mandatory. Attendance at all other events throughout the year is highly encouraged and welcomed, but optional.

New Faculty Program for Adjunct Faculty

The New Faculty Program offers the following support during your semester at Wofford:

  • Access to all information
  • Opt-in access to all appropriate and permissible (as per HR direction) sessions and activities

For adjunct faculty, participation in the New Faculty Program is fully optional

Orientation and Community Building

Tenure-track faculty, Instructors, and Visiting Assistant Professors are required to attend new faculty orientation in August. Adjunct instructors are welcome to attend but attendance is not required.

Orientation Schedule, Aug. 15-20, 2025

Friday, August 15
4.00pm Welcome Social hosted by Provost Tim Schmitz at The Hub Taproom
 
Monday, August 18
9.00-9.45 Breakfast and Introductions
9.45-10.30 The Small Liberal Arts College & New Faculty Program Overview
10:30-10.40  Break
10.40-11.00  Student Demographics
11.00-11.30 FERPA
11.30-12.30 Lunch
12.30-1.00 Inclusion and Opportunity at Wofford
1.00-1.30 Title IX
1.30-2.30

Optional: We can use this time to help you with the following things:

  • Parking Passes
  • ID Cards
  • Finding your office
  • IT will be available at this time
 
Tuesday, August 19
9.00-9.30 Breakfast and Faculty pictures
9.30-10.00 Library Tour
10.00-10.45 Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) Introduction
10.45-11.00 Break
11.00-11.30 Accommodations
11.30-12.00 HR Benefits Q&A
12.00-1.00 Lunch with President Samhat
1.00-2.00 Navigating the First Week: What you need to know
Wednesday, August 20
Only required for tenure-track
10.00-11.00 Tenure and Promotion roundtable with Rank and Tenure Committee 
11.00-11.45 Break
11.15-11.45 Introduction to Spartanburg & the Northside
11.45-12.45 Lunch with Mentors
Open to all
1.30-3.30 CETL Drop-in hours for help with course preparation and Moodle design

Monthly New Faculty Program Lunches

The New Faculty Program organizes monthly lunches that faculty are expected to attend for their first year at Wofford. These lunches discuss topics that require a more in-depth conversation and are organized in a ‘just in time’ model, so information is discussed at relevant points throughout the year. These lunches are informal and serve to create community among the first-year cohort and to provide the opportunity to meet more faculty and staff in different campus offices throughout the year.

Monthly Lunches: 2025 cohort
September 11, 2025 What's Going On At Wofford: Hot Topics of the Year
October 2, 2025 The Honor Code
October 23, 2025 Grants and Funding
November 13, 2025 Work-Life Balance
February 12, 2026 Interim
March 19, 2026 Faculty Governance & 2nd Year Committee Service
April 16, 2026 Adivising in the Fall

Monthly Teaching Workshops

The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning organizes monthly teaching and pedagogy workshops for new faculty. Attendance is expected for tenure-track faculty and instructors, and is optional for visiting faculty.

New Faculty Community Building

Provost’s Welcome Social

Dr. Tim Schmitz, Provost of Wofford College, hosts an informal welcome social before orientation for all new faculty.

Wofford Football Game

President Dr. Nayef Samhat extends an invitation to new faculty to attend the first home game of the academic year and join him for a reception in the President’s Box. Look out for an invitation in your campus mailbox the first week of the semester and RSVP promptly.

Thirsty Thursday

Once a month, Nayef and Prema Samhat organize Thirsty Thursday, a social hour for faculty and staff on campus. Look out for details in your email.