New Faculty Academy
September 2025 – May 2026
Overview
New Faculty Academy (NFA) is year-long, cohort-based program designed to support new full-time faculty during their first year at USC. Through targeted professional development, mentoring, and networking opportunities, NFA helps faculty build a strong foundation for success. The program is hosted by the Office of the Provost and the Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE) and is led by experienced faculty and university leaders.
NFA participants will:
- Attend the New Faculty Orientation (NFO) on Friday, September 5, 2025
- Complete the Fostering Student Learning through Effective Teaching asynchronous, online course (available in Blackboard) by October 13, 2025
- Participate in three additional half-day (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.), in-person professional
development sessions:
- Friday, November 7, 2025
- Friday, February 6, 2026
- Friday, April 3, 2026
- Submit a year-end reflection by Wednesday, May 13, 2026.
NFA incentives include:
- High-quality meals at in-person events
- Ongoing mentoring and networking with peers and leaders
- A certificate of completion
- Entry into a raffle to win $1,000 in professional development funding.
NFA Program Format
All events will be held in person to support a strong cohort experience. Select content will be made available online post-event for added flexibility.
NFA Professional Development Session
| Date: | Friday, November 7, 2025 |
| Time: | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. |
| Location: | University Conference Center (in person only) |
Agenda
| 9:00 – 9:15 a.m. | Welcome Address |
| 9:15 – 9:30 a.m. | Ending the Semester Strong |
| 9:30 – 10:20 a.m. | Reflections and Next Steps: Teaching Insights & Support |
| 10:20 – 10:30 a.m. | Coffee Break |
| 10:30 – 11:20 a.m. | Unlocking Library Resources for Teaching and Research Success |
| 11:20 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Networking Lunch |
(The February 6 and April 3 sessions will follow a similar structure with different speakers and “just-in-time” topics)