Skip to main content

New and Early Career Faculty Institute

The New and Early Career Faculty Institute aims to equip new and early career faculty with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive at Northwestern. Through discussion-based small-group workshops with various Northwestern offices, participants will get the chance to network with colleagues and learn about campus resources.

Program goals include:

  1. Increased awareness of campus resources and offices
  2. Increased knowledge and confidence about navigating promotion and tenure to foster overall success
  3. Building community and interdisciplinary networking

Registration and contact: New and early career faculty will receive emails to register for each session. If you have questions, please contact Kayla Atkins, Faculty Project Coordinator, Office of the Provost, at faculty@northwestern.edu.

2024-25 Schedule

Workshop schedule
Event Date/Time Details
Oct. 16
11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Looking 101 with The Block Museum of Art 

Art can provide the opportunity to pause and reflect or to stimulate and surprise. There are no wrong answers in this interactive session for faculty with The Block staff. Join us for lunch, an introduction to The Block Museum as a teaching resource, and a special “close-looking” activity to improve your ability to look deeply, analyze carefully, and express ideas about works of art and the world around you.
Nov. 18
Noon-1:30 p.m.
The Northwestern Research Infrastructure

Join us for a special session in the New & Early Career Faculty Institute series, titled The Northwestern Research Infrastructure. This program is designed to expand upon the resources introduced at the New Faculty Welcome and provide new and early career faculty with a unique opportunity to hear from university leaders and faculty experts.
Feb. 26
Noon-1:30 p.m.
Communication Strategies for New Mentors

Join Sarah Klaper, University Ombudsperson, for an interactive workshop designed for new and early career faculty looking to strengthen their communication skills as mentors. This session will provide essential strategies to build effective and positive mentoring relationships with graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. The program will cover techniques for clear and constructive communication, active listening, setting expectations, and providing feedback that fosters growth. Whether you're stepping into mentorship for the first time or seeking to refine your approach, this program offers valuable insights and tools for impactful mentorship.

Register
April 2
Noon-1:30 p.m.
Navigating Tenure

Join The Office of the Provost for an engaging and informative panel discussion on navigating the tenure process. Moderated by Associate Provost for Faculty Sumit Dhar, this event brings together faculty from diverse disciplines and schools to share their insights, strategies, and key resources. Gain valuable perspectives on understanding tenure expectations, accessing essential information, and positioning yourself for success at every stage of the process. This discussion is designed to provide practical guidance and foster deeper connections within the academic community.

Topics of discussion likely will include:

  • General expectations, advice and tips for navigating the tenure process of a top-tier research university
  • How to find information about general and school-specific expectations for tenure and obtain feedback
  • How to find department, school or central resources that are available to help junior faculty members with research, teaching, service, well-being and personal challenges
  • Advice on identifying and cultivating mentoring relationships

Register
April 16
Noon-1:30 p.m.
Navigating the Promotion Process for NTE Faculty