The University of Washington offers extraordinary opportunities for scholarship, teaching, innovation, and public impact. For new faculty, however, one of the first challenges is learning how to navigate those opportunities effectively.
That is the purpose of New Faculty Onboarding.
Hosted by the Office for Academic Personnel and Faculty as part of Faculty Welcome Week, the program introduces new faculty to key partners from across the university, including the Office of Research, CoMotion, the Office of Global Affairs, UW Libraries, UW Human Resources, the Graduate School, and Undergraduate Academic Affairs.
Feedback from participants demonstrates the value of those introductions. Presentations from the Office of Research, Office of Global Affairs, CoMotion, UW Libraries, and Human Resources received particularly strong ratings from new faculty seeking practical guidance and support resources.
“The sessions introduced me to resources and offices I didn’t know existed. I left with a much clearer understanding of where to go for support with research, funding, and navigating the university.” — 2025 Participant
Faculty members often arrive with deep expertise in their disciplines. What they may not yet know is where to find support for grant development, innovation and commercialization, international partnerships, graduate education, or career advancement.
New Faculty Onboarding bridges that gap by helping attendees understand not just what resources exist, but how and when to access them.
“Starting at a large research university can feel overwhelming, but onboarding helped me feel more confident and connected. It gave me practical information that I could immediately apply during my first quarter at the UW.” — 2025 Participant
Survey respondents overwhelmingly reported that they felt better informed about university resources after participating in onboarding. That outcome reflects the program’s broader goal: ensuring that faculty begin their UW careers with the information, connections, and confidence necessary to pursue their ambitions.
Faculty Welcome Week takes place September 8–11, 2026. New Faculty Onboarding sessions will be held September 10–11.
New Faculty Onboarding Sept. 10–11, 2026
As part of Faculty Welcome Week, New Faculty Onboarding includes a virtual session on September 10 and an in-person session on September 11. For the most benefit, register for both days.