Welcoming New Faculty at UW

NewProfs@UW Launches Academic Careers

The University of Washington’s NewProfs@UW event kicked off the academic year by welcoming over 100 recently appointed faculty from all three UW campuses. This annual two-day event, held this year on September 12 and 13, aims to connect new professors with essential campus resources and foster cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Organized by five central UW offices—Academic Personnel, Libraries, Research, CoMotion and Global Affairs—NewProfs@UW offered an introduction to the university’s extensive support systems designed to assist faculty in research, scholarship and career advancement. The first day featured a series of virtual sessions, each led by key leadership, while the second day brought attendees together in person at the Husky Union Building (HUB) for networking and panel discussions.

Day 1: Virtual Insights

The online sessions on September 12th provided attendees with a deep dive into UW’s central offices. Starting with a briefing from the Office of Global Affairs at 9 a.m., the day unfolded with presentations from CoMotion, the Office of Research, UW Libraries, the Office of Academic Personnel and Human Resources (UWHR). These sessions allowed new faculty to engage directly with department leaders and participate in Q&A segments, giving them a clearer understanding of available resources and how to leverage them in their roles.

For instance, during the session with the Office of Research, Vice Provost Mari Ostendorf, alongside associate vice provosts, walked faculty through crucial topics such as human and animal subject research, internal awards and proposal submissions, offering opportunities for in-depth discussions with specialists in each area. In the afternoon, a joint presentation by the Office of Academic Personnel and UWHR provided an overview of faculty development resources, followed by a detailed session on benefits, giving attendees essential insights into the support available for their career success and overall well-being.

Day 2: Connecting and Learning in Person

The following day shifted the focus to in-person interactions at the HUB, beginning with a networking breakfast where faculty could mingle and establish connections with colleagues across disciplines. The plenary panel, chaired by Bioengineering Professor Ceci Giachelli, explored trainee mentoring, with insights from faculty across departments, including Mike Regnier (Bioengineering), William Mahoney (Graduate School) and Joey Key (Physics).

The heart of the event came in the form of specialized panels designed to meet faculty members’ distinct needs. Attendees could select sessions such as “Building a Scholarship Portfolio” in fields ranging from Arts and Humanities to Engineering, Medicine and Pedagogy. Each session was led by experienced faculty who offered advice on establishing a successful scholarly presence at UW.

Key discussions also revolved around open scholarship, intellectual property protection, community-engaged research and opportunities for global collaboration. These topics are central to UW’s mission of fostering academic growth and innovation.

Looking Ahead

For new faculty, NewProfs@UW serves as both an introduction to the university and an essential stepping stone toward building lasting academic careers. Attendees left with not only a stronger sense of community but also a wealth of resources to support their teaching, research and professional development at one of the nation’s leading research universities.

For more information on the event and resources discussed, visit NewProfs@UW.