New Academic Leaders Orientation

This two-day orientation is designed to welcome and equip new academic leaders at GW with the knowledge, tools, and connections needed to thrive in their roles. Through a combination of presentations, panel discussions, and interactive sessions, participants will engage with university leaders and key offices across campus.

Schedule

All sessions will be located in: Corcoran Hall, 725 21st St NW, Washington, DC 20052

Monday, August 18th
Tuesday, August 19th

Session Time	Session Description
8:30-9:00 AM	Registration and Breakfast Corcoran Hall, Room 101A
9:00-9:20 AM	Welcome Remarks and Overview Presented By: Ellen Granberg and Rumana Riffat Corcoran Hall, Room 101A Session Description Greetings and rundown of what to expect from your orientation.
9:20-10:10 am	Shared Governance Panel Moderator: Rumana Riffat Panelists: Ellen Granberg, John Lach, Mark Chichester, Todd Klein, and Katrin Schultheiss Corcoran Hall, Room 101A Session Description This panel will explore the principles and practices of shared governance at GW and provide insights into the collaborative decision-making processes that involve faculty, administration, and the board of trustees. The session aims to foster a deeper understanding of how shared governance contributes to the academic mission and operational effectiveness of the university.
10:10-10:30 am	Networking Break - Get to know Your Fellows Presented By: Rumana Riffat Corcoran Hall, Room 101A Session Description Take a well-deserved pause and use this opportunity to connect with your fellow participants in a relaxed, informal setting. Whether you're looking to exchange ideas, build new collaborations, or simply enjoy good conversation, this networking break is designed to help you expand your professional circle. Grab a refreshment, introduce yourself, and discover the diverse experiences and insights your peers bring to the table. Great connections often start with a simple hello—make yours today!
10:30-11:15 AM	University Resilience and Campus Security Presented By: Ian Greenlee and Christopher Faircloth Corcoran Hall, Room 101A Session Description GW Police Chief will discuss campus safety for the fall semester, while the University Resilience team will touch on the resources across the Emergency Management, Environmental Health and Safety, Sustainability, and Advocacy and Support teams. This session aims to equip new faculty and leaders with essential knowledge and resources to ensure a safe and resilient campus environment.
11:15-12:00 pm	Maintaining Ethics, Compliance, & Privacy at GW Presented By: Dorinda Tucker and Ashley Fountaine Corcoran Hall, Room 101A Session Description The Office of Ethics, Compliance, and Risk will provide compliance oversight through the management of the university’s ethics and compliance program as well as related areas of risk, internal audit, and privacy.
12:00-1:00 PM	Lunch and Learn - HR, Benefits, and Payroll (Optional Attendance) Presented By: Anne Irizarry and Erin Lavin Corcoran Hall, Room 103 Session Description This interactive lunch and learn session will provide new faculty and academic leaders with a brief overview of the HR policies, benefits, and resources available at GW. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and engage in discussions about their benefits, ensuring they have a clear understanding of what is available to them and how to access these resources. The informal setting is designed to facilitate open dialogue and provide personalized support.
1:00-2:00 PM	The Office of Access and Opportunity: GW's Commitment to Understanding New Policies, Procedures, and Reporting Mechanisms Presented By: Catherine Guttmann-McCabe and Ashley Fountaine Corcoran Hall, Room 101A Session Description Join us for an informative session exploring George Washington University's ongoing commitment to fostering a supportive, compliant, and inclusive campus community. This session will provide GW staff and faculty with a clear understanding of GW’s policies and procedures for preventing and responding to discrimination, harassment, and related retaliation. In addition to clarifying compliance requirements, we’ll highlight the university’s broader efforts to protect civil rights and provide resources that empower our campus community. Whether you're new to these topics or seeking a refresher, this session offers valuable insights and practical information to help you navigate GW's policies and procedures with confidence and clarity.
2:00-3:00 PM	Division for Student Affairs Presented By: Colette Coleman Corcoran Hall, Room 101A Session Description This session will provide an overview of the Division for Student Affairs, highlighting key resources and support systems available to students. It will cover student engagement, support services, and initiatives that promote student success.
3:00-3:15 PM	Break
3:15-4:30 PM	Disability Support Services and Title IX/Anti-Discrimination: Basics & Best Practices for GW Leaders & Faculty Presented By: Asha Reynolds and Rochelle Mills Corcoran Hall, Room 101A Session Description Anti-Discrimination Basics and Best Practices for GW Faculty and Academic Leaders is an educational session designed to help participants understand foundational Supreme Court cases and laws that form the basis of the university’s anti-discrimination policies, specific kinds of conduct that could violate anti-discrimination laws or university policy, the role that intent and impact play in the university’s assessment of a complaint, the critically important role of each member of the GW community in preventing incidents, the special responsibility of supervisors for addressing problems that arise, and complaint pathways and university resources.
4:30-5:00 PM	Survey and Wrap-Up Presented By: Rumana Riffat Corcoran Hall, Room 101A
5:00-6:30 PM	President's Reception Speakers: Ellen Granberg and John Lach TBD

Session Time	Session Description
8:30-9:00 AM	Registration and Breakfast Corcoran Hall, Room 101A
9:00-9:10 AM	Welcome Remarks and Overview Presented By: Rumana Riffat Corcoran Hall, Room 101A Session Description Greetings and rundown of what to expect for day 2.
9:10-9:30 am	Get to Know your Student Presented By: Jay Goff Corcoran Hall, Room 101A Session Description This session will provide new faculty and new academic leaders with essential insights into understanding and engaging with their students. Topics will include student demographics, learning styles, and effective communication strategies. The goal is to equip faculty with the knowledge and tools to foster a supportive and inclusive classroom environment that promotes student success.
9:30-10:00 am	Academic leadership planning and reflection Presented By: John Lach Corcoran Hall, Room 103 Session Description This session will cover how academic leaders can approach planning at GW in order to achieve academic excellence and fulfill our university's mission.
10:00-10:30 AM	University Resilience and Campus Security Presented By: Forrest Maltzman Corcoran Hall, Room 101A Session Description This session will cover key leadership behaviors that are essential for academic leaders. It will include discussions on effective leadership styles, strategies for managing teams, and best practices for fostering a positive and productive work environment.
10:30-10:45 AM	Break
10:45-12:00 PM	Speed Mentoring Mentors: Alyssa Ayres, Forrest Maltzman, Terry Murphy, Vanessa Perry, Liesl Riddle, and Paul Wahlbeck Corcoran Hall, Room 104 Session Description The session aims to introduce GW's senior leaders through a dynamic speed-mentoring-style arrangement. Veteran academic leaders will facilitate focused breakout mentoring sessions with small groups of new leaders. This interactive format allows for the exploration of various themes and individualized discussions about being an academic leader at GW.
12:00-1:00 PM	Lunch and Learn - Instructive Technology in the Classrooms (Optional Attendance) Presented By: Robbie Shumaker, Shauntae Trammell, and Anna Vakulick Corcoran Hall, Room 103 Session Description This interactive working lunch session will provide new faculty with a hands-on walk through of classroom technology. This session is designed to provide personalized, hands-on training that addresses the specific needs and questions of faculty. Attendees will have the opportunity to see demonstrations of the technology, practice using it, and ask questions to ensure they feel confident and prepared for their first day of classes.
1:00-2:30 PM	Managing Faculty Personnel Challenges: Case Studies Presented By: Debra Churos, Sarah Krauss, Rumana Riffat, Shelese Smith, and Richard Weitzner Corcoran Hall, Room 203 Session Description This session will examine a variety of faculty personnel-related case studies and help faculty learn the tangible steps and resources needed to navigate such situations. It aims to provide new academic leaders with practical insights and best practices for managing faculty personnel issues effectively.
2:30-2:45 PM	Break
2:45-3:45 PM	Supervising and Developing Staff and Faculty Presented By: Jennifer Abbruzzese and Jeff Brand Corcoran Hall, Room 104 Session Description Academic leaders who manage staff and support their professional development retain their employees and get the most from them. This session will highlight best practices, tools, and techniques that academic leaders can use to supervise and develop staff. Participants will take time to reflect and identify a few things they will do differently to be more effective.
3:45-4:00 PM	Survey and Wrap-Up Presented By: Rumana Riffat Corcoran Hall, Room 101A