Brigham Young University

Search BYU

Faculty Center

Faculty CenterNew FacultyBYU Faculty Development Series

BYU Faculty Development Series for New Faculty

Introduction

The BYU Faculty Development Series (FDS) is designed to assist new BYU faculty in building a strong foundation for quality teaching, scholarship, and citizenship. Participation in the Series helps faculty members: (1) increase their understanding of the university's mission and its role in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; (2) explore faculty opportunities and responsibilities; (3) strengthen their ability to make significant contributions through their professional service; and (4) find greater joy and satisfaction in their professional lives.

The BYU Faculty Development Series is specifically designed for all newly-hired, full-time faculty in tenure-track positions, regardless of previous experience in other universities or work settings. In addition, the Fall Seminar component of this Series is open to all new full-time hires—including faculty on temporary, visiting, or even one-semester appointments.

The full Series includes a number of components (over an 18-month period): Fall Seminar, FDS Mentoring, Spring Seminar, FDS Projects, and a concluding banquet. These experiences are designed to assist faculty as they:

• Investigate the body of knowledge and practice which facilitates student learning;
  
• Carefully examine the role of scholarship and the work needed to establish a strong program of scholarly activity;
  
• Explore faculty citizenship and the many opportunities for faculty to contribute to the university community;
  
• Develop skills to improve time management and increase productivity;
  
• Form a mentoring relationship with an accomplished colleague for the purpose of professional development; and
  
• Prepare for the third-year "continuing status" review process.

The BYU Faculty Development Series is administered by the Faculty Center. Jane Birch is the program administrator. Contact her for more information at 422-4008 or jane_birch@byu.edu.

Components of the BYU Faculty Development Series

Fall Seminar

The Fall Seminar consists of seven sessions every other week during fall semester. These sessions provide an opportunity for faculty to become better acquainted with the university and the resources that support them in their professional work. Each session includes a catered lunch and a discussion of topics that have proven valuable to faculty who have new appointments at BYU. In order to accommodate various teaching schedules, two separate sections are offered: a Wednesday section and a Thursday section. The Seminar begins the second week in September and continues through the first week of December.

All new full-time BYU faculty members—those in tenure-track positions, 1-3 year appointments, and visiting faculty—are welcome and encouraged to participate in the Fall Seminar.

FDS Mentoring (Beginning Winter Semester)

Eligible new faculty who choose to participate in the full BYU Faculty Development Series are invited to select a faculty colleague to serve as a FDS professional development mentor. The mentor assists the participant with his or her Faculty Development Plan, the FDS Projects, and related faculty development activities leading toward the third-year review. This mutually beneficial relationship serves as a prototype for collaboration in a Latter-day Saint learning community.

New faculty are invited to consult with their chairs in the selection of a FDS mentor during their first fall semester. A decision on the mentor is made by January.

Spring Seminar (The First Full Two Weeks in May)

The purposes of the Spring Seminar are to help faculty explore the mission of the university and the contributions they hope to make, to refine their goals, and to develop their ability to achieve these goals.

The Spring Seminar is an all-day (8:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.), two-week learning experience. Participants meet together in the mornings and for lunch daily. During the morning sessions, experienced BYU faculty lead discussions on various topics, including:

• BYU as a religious university
  • Teaching with the Spirit
  • The importance of personal example
  • Combining religious faith and academic excellence
• Scholar-teachers as citizens in an academic community
  • Balancing teaching and scholarship
  • Career planning and time management
  • Developing skills of increasing scholarly productivity
• Quality teaching and learning in a university environment
  • Effective course design and instructional strategies
  • Using instructional technology to enhance learning
  • Assessing student outcomes

In the afternoons during the Spring Seminar, participants read and prepare seminar assignments and work on related faculty development projects, including their faculty development plans. Participants work with their department chairs and mentors in developing these projects and plans.

The time commitment for the Spring Seminar is intensive; it is designed to help faculty accomplish their professional work in ways that save them time in the long run.

FDS (Faculty Development Series) Projects (Beginning Spring Term)

During the Spring Seminar, each participant reviews their professional goals for the coming year and proposes a Course Development Project, a Scholarship Project, and a Citizenship Project for the remainder of the BYU Faculty Development Series (non-teaching or non-researching faculty may propose alternative projects). These projects are designed to provide additional structure and resources for faculty to accomplish their own goals.

Participants are encouraged to share their work-in-progress with their mentors and chairs. At the conclusion of the Series, participants prepare a final report about their work. These reports serve as valuable additions to participants' dossiers for continuing status.

Banquet (March)

A concluding banquet celebrates the accomplishments of the FDS participants (and their mentors).

Department Chair/Director Involvement

As the key faculty development resource for each new faculty member, the department chair (or director) is an important part of the BYU Faculty Development Series. Participants should counsel with their chairs about their participation in the Series, selection of mentors, Faculty Development Plans, and FDS Projects. Chairs also review the final reports for these projects. These discussions and reports keep the chair informed and provide opportunities for the chair to discuss department expectations and give constructive feedback to the new faculty member.

Compensation

To help compensate for the time commitment required by the BYU Faculty Development Series, new faculty who choose to participate fully in the Series receive a stipend. A teaching grant is also available to assist faculty in enhancing learning through their Course Development Project.

top