The New Faculty Transition Program is a sign of the commitment FSU has made to help new to Ferris faculty make a smooth and positive transition to Ferris State and the Big Rapids community. Its main purpose is to assist faculty in the further development of their teaching and advising skills and give them access to across-campus professional peer support as they adjust to the Ferris academic community.

 The program is conducted by the Center for Teaching, Learning and Faculty Development. The program receives the full support of the Academic Vice President, Deans, Department Heads and Program Directors of the university. This group advocates and expects the full participation of all new faculty. The strong recommendation for participation is based on a belief that all professionals new to an academic community and a teaching institution can greatly benefit from engaging in an exploration of teaching and learning in an environment of care and support which is offered by this program.

The Center for Teaching, Learning and Faculty Development has three goals for this program:

1. To assist faculty in the development and refinement of their teaching skills and strategies.

2. To assist faculty in developing the background and skills necessary
   to become excellent student advisors.

3. To assist faculty in developing peer relationships that can support their professional growth and development.

The program will begins every Thursday of Kick-Off Week with a one-day orientation session focused on preparing faculty for the first week of classes.

The remainder of the year-long program will be an ongoing series of 14 gatherings that will occur throughout the academic year. There will be seven sessions scheduled in the fall and seven in the winter semester.  Session are held usually on Thursdays from 11:00 a.m. to 12:50 p.m.

The topics to be covered in the sessions are focused on the most important aspect of Ferris State’s mission – that being teaching.  New faculty will receive a complete portfolio of all materials that will be covered during these orientation sessions. Areas to be explored include classroom management, instructional methodology, learning theories and students advising.

New Ferris faculty will also have the opportunity to meet many outstanding colleagues from across campus that will be sharing their expertise in these transition sessions. Full-time participants in this program also receive full travel support to attend an International Association of Teaching Scholars LILLY conference in the spring of 2004

The Transition Program also offers faculty the opportunity for one-to-one consultation on teaching and advising issues, plus confidential informal course assessments using the Small Group Instructional Diagnosis method, and video taping of class instruction with one-to-one review of the instructional process.

For questions about this transition program please contact the Terry Doyle in the Center for Teaching, Learning and Faculty Development at ext. 2808 or by e-mail at doylet@Ferris.edu.

Faculty wanting further information about any of these topics are encouraged to contact Terry Doyle at doylet@ferris.edu



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