Faculty Well-being: 360 Degrees of Faculty Support
Start Date
November 2025
End Date
November 2025
Keywords
faculty support, new faculty transition, onboarding faculty, faculty development, sense of belonging in academia, CARES model, faculty engagement, reducing faculty isolation, comprehensive faculty support, 360-degree faculty support, supporting new faculty, academic community building, faculty success strategies, higher education faculty care, teaching and learning excellence, faculty well-being, resilience
Abstract
Starting in a new organization can be challenging. No matter how much experience one brings, those first days often feel unfamiliar and even overwhelming. We remember those feelings well, which is why we are committed to ensuring that our faculty—our community under our care—never feel isolated or unsupported. While we may not be able to eliminate every difficulty, we strive to ease the transition and foster a strong sense of belonging.
The good news is that we are well-positioned to do so. Drawing on our experiences both as newcomers and as administrators who have successfully provided comprehensive, 360-degree faculty support, we have seen firsthand the positive impact of thoughtful guidance and connection. To structure these efforts, we apply the CARES model—Connection, Awareness, Resources, Engagement, and Support—as a framework to guide our initiatives. CARES helps us ensure that faculty feel welcomed and connected, that they are aware of opportunities and expectations, that they can access the right resources, that they remain actively engaged in their academic community, and that ongoing support sustains their success.
By blending personal experience with this practical model, we are able to address the common challenges of transition while cultivating an environment where faculty thrive.
Objective of the Session: We aim to inspire and provide actionable ideas that empower faculty to engage within their colleges while advancing teaching and learning excellence university-wide.
Intended Audience: All
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcome(s): KSAs
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Participants will be able to list proven strategies to create a culture of belonging
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Participants will be able to design faculty support initiatives in their respective colleges/units
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Participants will develop an enhanced awareness of challenges that new faculty face when entering a new institution
Track
Health and Wellbeing
Session Type
25-Minute Session
Faculty Well-being: 360 Degrees of Faculty Support
Starting in a new organization can be challenging. No matter how much experience one brings, those first days often feel unfamiliar and even overwhelming. We remember those feelings well, which is why we are committed to ensuring that our faculty—our community under our care—never feel isolated or unsupported. While we may not be able to eliminate every difficulty, we strive to ease the transition and foster a strong sense of belonging.
The good news is that we are well-positioned to do so. Drawing on our experiences both as newcomers and as administrators who have successfully provided comprehensive, 360-degree faculty support, we have seen firsthand the positive impact of thoughtful guidance and connection. To structure these efforts, we apply the CARES model—Connection, Awareness, Resources, Engagement, and Support—as a framework to guide our initiatives. CARES helps us ensure that faculty feel welcomed and connected, that they are aware of opportunities and expectations, that they can access the right resources, that they remain actively engaged in their academic community, and that ongoing support sustains their success.
By blending personal experience with this practical model, we are able to address the common challenges of transition while cultivating an environment where faculty thrive.
Objective of the Session: We aim to inspire and provide actionable ideas that empower faculty to engage within their colleges while advancing teaching and learning excellence university-wide.
Intended Audience: All