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New Faculty Welcome Agenda

Friday, August 18, 2023

The Inn at Virginia Tech
Morning Program

Time Information Location
8:00 a.m. Registration and Reception Latham Ballroom
8:30 a.m. Welcome and Table Introductions
Leslie Stevens, Project Director, Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
Latham Ballroom
8:35 a.m. Welcome from the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
Ron Fricker, Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
Latham Ballroom
8:50 a.m. Welcome from the Office of Research and Innovation
Dr. Daniel Sui, Senior Vice President and Chief Research and Innovation Officer
Latham Ballroom
9:00 a.m.

New Faculty Panel Discussion, Q&A
Facilitator: Ellen Plummer, Associate Vice Provost for Academic Administration

  • John Aggrey, Assistant Professor; Science, Technology, and Society
  • Giuseppe Cotardo, Postdoctoral Associate, Mathematics
  • Sally Hamouda, Collegiate Associate Professor, Computer Science
  • Sharon Mastracci, Professor, Public Administration and Policy
  • James Rhoades, Assistant Director of Continuing Electronic Resources, University Libraries
  • Carissa South, Executive Events and Program Coordinator, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute
  • Lezly Taylor, Assistant Professor, School of Education
Latham Ballroom
9:50 a.m. Break: Transition Time Open
10:00 a.m.

Breakout Session
Administrative and Professional Faculty

A session for Senior Administrators, Managers, and Professionals, such as Student or Academic Affairs Professionals, Human Resources and Financial Specialists
Presenters: Ana Agud, David Andrews, Sarah Dreier, Bryan Garey

Smithfield Room
Breakout Session
Teaching and Research Faculty

A session for Professors, Associate Professors, Assistant Professors, Instructors, Clinical Faculty, Visiting Faculty, Postdoctoral Associates, Research Associates, Research Scientists, Research Professors, or Project Associates
Presenters: Kim Filer, Ron Fricker, Rachel Gabriele, Corine Guimont, Randy Heflin, Rachel Miles, Laurel Miner, Kara Latapolski, and Jen Van Mullekom
Cascades Room
11:30 a.m. Lunch and Closing Remarks
Leslie Stevens, Project Director, Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
Latham Ballroom

Find presentations and useful materials on the New Faculty Welcome webpage.

Friday, August 18, 2023

The Inn at Virginia Tech
Afternoon Program

Time Information Location
1:00-2:45 p.m. Focus on Teaching
The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) invites new teaching faculty to a session just for them. Instructors, collegiate faculty, adjunct faculty, and anyone else who may benefit from it will learn how to build a healthy classroom environment, the basics of setting up your class for the semester, resources for support, and more! This session will include instructional and interactive learning time and an opportunity to network.
Thank you to the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) for facilitating this workshop.
Smithfield Room
3:00-4:30 p.m. Focus on Research
Zoom Link
Meeting ID:84597534029 | Passcode: 159026
The Office of Research and Innovation invites new faculty to a session focused on conducting research at Virginia Tech. Tenure track researchers, research faculty, postdoctoral associates, and anyone else who expects to actively participate in the research mission will learn about resources for finding and winning sponsored research projects, conducting ethical research, and sharing their results with the world for maximum impact.
Thank you to the Office of Research and Innovation for facilitating this workshop.
Smithfield Room
3:30-4:30 p.m. New Adjunct Instructor Workshop: Getting Your Class Off to a Great Start
Link sent separately by the group managing this workshop.
Welcome to Virginia Tech! This virtual workshop will discuss best practices for teaching and learning in a variety of classroom contexts and disciplines. This session will allow you to ask questions for the start of the semester and get your class off to a great start! This session will be synchronous on zoom.
Thank you to the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) for facilitating this workshop.
Online Only
4:30-5:30 p.m. Reception
We welcome you to stay for a drink*, light snacks, and conversation with other new faculty members.
*Please note that there will be alcohol present at this event, but we will also have non-alcoholic beverages and light hors d'oeuvres. If you are in recovery or want to reach out for support, please message me privately or see resources and meeting info.
Latham Ballroom

New International Faculty Information Sessions
September 6, 9:00–10:30 a.m. and September 7, 1:00–2:30 p.m.
Presented by Global Strategic Services
Please RSVP by September 1 via email to rhodesk@vt.edu. General questions can be sent to vtgss@vt.edu.
All new International Faculty are invited to an information session with Global Strategic Services (GSS) office staff. At this session, you will learn:

  • Rules to maintain your nonimmigrant (H-1B, J-1, TN) status
  • When to renew your nonimmigrant status
  • How to obtain a Virginia driver’s license
  • Steps to obtain a visa in your passport (and it if is necessary)
  • Work authorization options for spouses
  • Permanent residency (aka “green card”) process and options for international faculty

The GSS office has been undergoing major restructuring and will be working to streamline both nonimmigrant and green card processing moving forward. Come meet with the new GSS Director and team to have all your immigration questions answered. Information will be the same at each session, so please attend the session that best fits your schedule.

A lactation room can be found in the bathroom hallway on the main floor of the Inn.