Igniting Success in the Engineering New Faculty Orientation Workshop
North Carolina State University’s College of Engineering hosted its annual New Faculty Orientation Workshop that offered new faculty members practical tools, actionable strategies, and a strong support network to help them succeed in their academic careers.
The College of Engineering at North Carolina State University welcomed new faculty members from all nine departments and the three associated departments in other colleges during its annual New Faculty Orientation Workshop (NFOW) this past August. Led by the College of Engineering’s Office of Faculty Development and Success (OFDS) and hosted at Hunt Library, the four-day workshop provided 37 incoming faculty members with a range of active professional development sessions, including effective teaching, research management, and campus integration.
The workshop also focused on the challenges faced by new faculty, such as planning research programs, obtaining funding, and managing graduate students and postdocs. “We wanted to ensure this workshop provided impactful experiences,” said Joel Ducoste, Associate Dean for Faculty Development and Success. He added, “Our goal was to give new faculty the opportunity to create practical products they can use immediately in their roles.” Participants also learned how to design effective course syllabi, create engaging activities, and balance the competing demands of research, teaching, and personal life.
The new faculty participants came with a range of experiences that required different preparations and levels of expertise, which OFDS strategically designed to individualize for each participant. This didn’t necessarily mean that the faculty were new to academia.
The first two days emphasized effective teaching and student engagement that featured sessions on active learning techniques, inclusive teaching practices, and student advising. Faculty members left with tangible outcomes for immediate implementation. Aimee Allard, Communications Coordinator for the Senior Design Center in the Department of Computer Science, shared, “The workshop was an unforgettable experience — a chance to build friendships and collaborate on our teaching practices while feeling welcomed into a supportive community.”
The latter half of the workshop shifted focus to managing research labs and understanding essential institutional resources. Topics included setting up research programs, proposal writing, and navigating the tenure process. A highlight was a keynote address by Dean Jim Pfaendtner, who emphasized work-life balance and mental well-being, reinforcing the College’s commitment to faculty wellness. Raoul Farer, a newly appointed professor at the Wilson College of Textiles, remarked, “The workshop was extremely beneficial. It immediately made me feel welcome and part of a larger engineering community. Hearing about the importance of interdisciplinary engagement was inspiring, and I left feeling confident about the resources available to support my journey.”
The final day featured a panel discussion with department heads, offering new faculty valuable insights and advice. There were additional opportunities to meet with department heads and college leadership to further support the new faculty as they began their time at NC State. Since it began in 2000, more than 500 new faculty members have participated in the NFOW. With practical tools, actionable strategies, and new support networks, NC State’s newest faculty members are prepared to tackle the challenges and opportunities of the upcoming academic year.
