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.
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:
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:
Participation in the New Faculty Program is required throughout the year for all tenure track and instructor faculty.
The New Faculty Program offers the following support during your visiting year at Wofford:
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.
The New Faculty Program offers the following support during your semester at Wofford:
For adjunct faculty, participation in the New Faculty Program is fully optional
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.
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 |
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.
Dr. Tim Schmitz, Provost of Wofford College, hosts an informal welcome social before orientation for all new faculty.
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.
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.