This year, the FDP program will have four distinct programming tracks: Orientation, Junior Faculty, Mid-Career Faculty and Faculty of Color. Although the individual sessions are designed for a target audience, college faculty
are welcome to attend any session that might be of interest.
Participants who complete at least five FDP sessions throughout the year will be given
priority for a small number of fellowships to be awarded by the College for the NCFDD Faculty Success Program (FSP). Associate professors will also be given priority for either a fellowship to the
NCFDD Post-tenure Pathfinders Program or a “service sabbatical” (i.e., one academic year with no service commitments) plus
a $5000 research fund. More details on these incentives will be announced later
in the year.
ORIENTATION TRACK (NEW)
The new Orientation program track targets faculty who are new to the university or
would like a refresher on the range of college resources available to support faculty.
Faculty participating in any track are invited to attend the introductory session.
Fall 2021 Sessions
- Dean's Welcome
- Faculty Panel: "Everything I Wish I'd Known in My First Semester"
- Department Chair Panel: Building a Successful Relationship with Your Chair
- Associate Dean Panel: Office of the Dean Overview
- Introduction to the American Association of University Professors (AAUP)
Questions or Suggestions? Please contact Associate Dean Qiana Whitted (whittedq@mailbox.sc.edu).
JUNIOR FACULTY TRACK
Now in its third year, the Junior Faculty program track will introduce participants
to the resources of the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (NCFDD),
as well as other practical tips and information needed to be successful in their research,
teaching, and service endeavors. Participants will cover a range of topics focused
on strategic planning, productivity, work-life balance, and building healthy and supportive
relationships.
While all junior faculty in the College are welcomed to participate, CAS tenure-track
faculty in their second year or after are strongly encouraged to attend.
Fall 2021 Sessions
How do academics find time for research and writing given their teaching, service, and personal obligations? Using resources from the National Center for Faculty Diversity and Development, we will focus on identifying your personal and professional goals, creating a strategic plan to accomplish those goals, and identifying the types of community, support, and accountability you need to reach to have a productive semester.
What are the written and unwritten aspects of the tenure and promotion process? We will discuss the general timeline for the process, the basic components of the tenure file, and the importance of your unit’s tenure and promotion criteria for research, teaching, and service. We will also offer general advice, such as obtaining guidance from mentors in your unit, maintaining healthy relationships with colleagues and students, and managing your service commitments.
Questions or Suggestions? Please contact Dr. Tammi Richardson (richardson@biol.sc.edu) or Dr. Elaine Chun (chune@mailbox.sc.edu).
MID-CAREER FACULTY TRACK
To help associate professors prepare for promotion to full, the Mid-career Faculty
program track will draw on the resources of the National Center for Faculty Development
and Diversity (NCFDD) in order to provide practical advice and resources for post-tenure
faculty who are planning the next phase of their careers.
Sessions will cover a range of topics, including productivity, work-life balance,
strategic planning, networking, assessment of promotion criteria, and identifying
good mentors. While all associate professors in the College are welcomed to participate,
post-tenure faculty who are beginning to work towards promotion to full are especially
encouraged to attend.
Fall 2021 Sessions
Congratulations on your promotion to Associate Professor. Whether you have just celebrated your promotion or are a couple years in, it’s important to stop and reflect on your amazing accomplishments. The next stage requires some thoughtful planning to navigate the transition, understand new rules (written and unwritten), and approach new challenges. Creating a new mentoring network can help. Please come prepared to introduce yourself and your area. Be prepared to share your challenges and concerns as an associate professor. We will talk about networking and finding allies among our cohorts as well as mentors on campus and in the wider academic community.
How are expectations for going up for associate different from going up for full professor? Understanding one’s specific unit promotion guidelines, unit culture and the expectations of the professional field will help craft realistic recommendations for building a strong promotion file. We will discuss these expectations, gain a view of the promotion process, and enable thoughtful analysis as you develop a course of action.
Questions/Suggestions? Please contact Dr. Linda Shimizu (shimizls@mailbox.sc.edu) or Dr. Marius Valdez (valdesm@mailbox.sc.edu).
FACULTY OF COLOR PROGRAM TRACK (NEW)
This new initiative is designed to facilitate a dialogue and a series of sessions
geared toward meeting the needs of faculty of color across a range of retention and
career advancement topics. While all FDP tracks and sessions are inclusive of the
needs and perspectives of faculty of color, this track provides a dedicated space
for self-identified, under-represented faculty members to share information with each
other and share their thoughts and concerns with the Associate Dean of Diversity,
Equity, as to what the college should do to better meet their needs.
The first session will be a dialogue between faculty participants and Interim Associate
Dean Todd Shaw at the best time for most.
Register to attend this session.