New Faculty and New Academic Leaders Orientation

New Faculty Orientation

This two-day orientation for full-time faculty will provide you with the basic information that every GW faculty member should know and information regarding the various offices and networks that support faculty research and teaching at the university.

Schedule

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

Monday, August 18, 2025
Tuesday, August 19, 2025

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, John Lach, and Emily Hammond 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: John Lach Panelists: Ellen Granberg, 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 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 Paul Martin 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	GWU's commitment to Access and Opportunity: 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: Emily Hammond Corcoran Hall, Room 101A
5:00-6:30 PM	President's Reception Speakers: Ellen Granberg and John Lach The F Street House, 1925 F St, NW

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: Emily Hammond 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.
9:30-10:30 am	faculty resources for teaching and research Presented By: Geneva Henry, Yardanos Bahru, Robin Delaloye, Karen Singer-Freeman, William Gillis, Hannah Jardine, Leah Richardson, and Jennifer Wesson Corcoran Hall, Room 103 Session Description This session will provide an overview of the various resources and instructional technologies available to faculty at GW. It aims to equip new faculty with the tools and support needed to enhance their teaching, research, and overall academic experience.
10:30-10:45 AM	Break
10:45-12:00 pm	first year faculty experience: faculty panel strategies for success in teaching research and service Moderator: Ilana Feldman Panelists: Nick Anderson, Weidong Cao, Kate Chiappinelli, and Lucia Rafanelli Corcoran Hall, Room 101A Session Description This panel session will equip new faculty members with the necessary insights to thrive in their first year at GW. Panelists will share their personal experiences as new faculty members at GW, discuss the challenges they encountered during their initial year of teaching and research, and provide advice on how to navigate these challenges. There will also be time for discussion and questions from the audience.
12:00-1:00 PM	Lunch and Learn - instructive technology in the classroom (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 walkthrough 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.
1:00-2:15 PM	excellence in teaching Presented By: Zoe Beckerman, Stephanie Cellini, Manuel Cuellar, and Ekundayo Shittu Corcoran Hall, Room 101A Session Description Award-winning faculty share their expertise in innovative pedagogical approaches, effective classroom management strategies, and methods to foster an inclusive learning environment. This interactive panel gives new faculty the chance to hear and learn from GW's very best educators in a variety of fields.
2:15-2:30 PM	break
2:30-3:45 PM	Faculty Research and scholarly support Presented By: Gina Lohr, Robert Miller, Brian Coblitz, and Sylvia Ezekilova. Corcoran Hall, Room 103 Session Description The goal of this session is to provide participants with the fundamentals and best practices in grant development while offering tips on the grant seeking approach in response to recent changes in the federal funding landscape.
3:45-4:00 PM	Survey and Wrap-Up Presented By: Emily Hammond Corcoran Hall, Room 101A