Teaching, Research, Resources, and Community
To help new, full-time faculty prepare for a successful first year at USC, we recommend the following key actions. These resources and opportunities are designed to support your teaching, connect you with the university community, and help you start the semester with confidence.
1. Register for New Faculty Orientation
Date: Friday, August 28, 2026
Time: 8:15 a.m.. - 2:00 p.m.
Location: Pastides Alumni Center (in person only)
900 Senate St., Columbia, SC 29201
Register Now for New Faculty Orientation
New Faculty Orientation (NFO) supports your first-year success in teaching and research, helps you foster student success, and connects you with the university and Columbia community through concurrent sessions, leadership presentations, networking opportunities over breakfast and lunch, and a campus and community resource fair.
New Faculty Orientation Agenda
| 8:15 a.m. | Networking Breakfast Connect with leadership and fellow new faculty in a relaxed, community-building setting.
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| 9:00 a.m. | Opening Remarks Matt Thatcher, Ph.D. | Director, Center for Teaching Excellence |
| 9:05 a.m. | University Welcome Michael Amiridis, Ph.D. | President, University of South Carolina |
| 9:20 a.m. | A New Beginning Mary Anne Fitzpatrick, Ph.D. | Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost |
| 9:35 a.m. | Becoming Part of USC Jennifer Ng, Ph.D. | Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Dean of the Faculty |
| 9:50 a.m. | Just-in-Time Resources Matt Thatcher, Ph.D. | Director, Center for Teaching Excellence |
| 10:10 a.m. | Break & Transition |
| 10:20 a.m. | Breakout Session I Participants choose one of the following:
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| 10:50 a.m. | Break & Transition |
| 11:00 a.m. | Breakout Session II Participants choose a second session from the following options:
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| 11:30 a.m. | Break & Transition |
| 11:40 a.m. | Breakout Session III + Key Takeaways and Next Steps Participants choose a third session from the following options, immediately followed by guided reflection by CTE staff:
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| 12:20 p.m. | Lunch & Resource Fair Enjoy lunch with fellow faculty, browse resource tables, complete your Resource Passport, and enter the raffle for a chance to win prizes! |
Important: NFO does not include HR onboarding (e.g., benefits, payroll). See below for required onboarding steps to complete before arrival.
New Faculty Orientation (NFO) does not include HR onboarding. To ensure a smooth start, you should complete your benefits and payroll onboarding before arriving on campus.
The Office of Human Resources offers Employee Benefits and Payroll Orientation – Live Webinars throughout the summer. These virtual sessions provide important information about health and retirement benefits, payroll setup, employee assistance programs, and required onboarding steps.
You are strongly encouraged to attend one of the following sessions:
• Tuesday, May 12, 2026 | 10:00 am - 12:30 pm | Register
• Tuesday, June 16, 2026 | 10:00 am - 12:30 pm | Register
• Tuesday, July 14, 2026 | 10:00 am - 12:30 pm | Register
• Tuesday, August 11 | 10:00 am - 12:30 pm | Register
If you have questions about benefits or onboarding, please contact:
- USC Human Resources: New Employee Guide | Step 1: Before You Arrive
- Benefits Office: New Employee Benefits | benefits@mailbox.sc.edu
2. Complete the Effective Teaching Course by August
You will be automatically enrolled in this short, self-paced Blackboard course. After logging in with your USC credentials, click on “Courses,” search for “Foster Student Learning,” and begin.
Access “Foster Student Learning through Effective Teaching"
Modules 1–4 focus on the core practices that support a strong start in any course format, including:
- Designing a clear, well-organized course using backward design and aligned learning outcomes
- Creating a structured syllabus and Blackboard site
- Communicating expectations through transparent grading practices
- Building an inclusive, supportive learning environment
- Using active learning to promote engagement and deeper understanding
These modules are especially helpful as you prepare your courses for the first day of class, offering guidance on effective teaching practices aligned with USC’s academic policies and expectation
3. Plan Your Teaching with Pre-Semester Support
To support your transition into teaching at USC, the Center for Teaching Excellence and Division of Information Technology are offering a series of live, virtual sessions during the week before classes begin to help you prepare your course and start the semester strong.
Teaching Week Sessions: Preparing Your Course for Day One and Beyond
Monday, August 10, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. - Webinar
Design a clear, effective syllabus using USC templates and resources to communicate
expectations and support student success. Register
Tuesday, August 11, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. - Webinar
Structure your course for a strong start by aligning learning outcomes, assessments,
and course flow. Register
Tuesday, August 11, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. - Webinar
Learn practical strategies to make course materials and activities more accessible
for all students using Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Register
Wednesday, August 12, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. - Webinar
Plan an engaging start to the semester with strategies for day one, early participation,
and connecting students to support services. Register
Wednesday, August 12, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. - Webinar
Use simple, time-efficient strategies to increase student participation and interaction
during class. Register
Thursday, August 13, 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. - Webinar
Learn the basics of Blackboard, including navigation, communication, content creation,
tools, and grading. Register
Thursday, August 13, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. - Webinar
Explore best practices and advanced tips for setting up and managing the Blackboard
Ultra Gradebook. Register
Thursday, August 13, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. - Webinar
Learn how to organize and customize your Blackboard course to create a more engaging
and user-friendly experience. Register
Thursday, August 13, 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. - Webinar
Discover how to use Panopto and Zoom within Blackboard to create, manage, and deliver
engaging video and live learning experiences. Register
Friday, August 14, 9:00 – 9:40 a.m. - Webinar
Learn how to improve accessibility and apply universal design principles in your Blackboard
Ultra course. Register
Friday, August 14, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. - Webinar
Learn the basics of Blackboard, including navigation, communication, content creation,
tools, and grading. Register
Friday, August 14, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. - Webinar
Learn how to use iClicker Cloud in Blackboard to increase student engagement through
polling, quizzing, and real-time feedback. Register
Monday, August 17, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. - Webinar
Apply research-based strategies for learning and using student names to build connection,
belonging, and engagement. Register
4. Get Individual Support as Needed
Our Center for Teaching Excellence instructional designers are available to support you before the semester begins whether you have questions about your syllabus, Blackboard, course design, or teaching strategies.
- Schedule a one-on-one consultation any time
- Explore syllabus templates and examples
5. Continue with New Faculty Academy
Together, New Faculty Orientation and the Effective Teaching course are the first components of the New Faculty Academy, a 9-month program designed to support your continued growth and success at USC.
Details and registration information will be shared following New Faculty Orientation.
We’re excited to welcome you to USC and look forward to meeting you at New Faculty Orientation. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if we can support you as you prepare for the semester.
How to Prepare
- Register for NFO using the “register” link above.
- Bring your questions.
- Be ready to connect and engage.
Explore the New Faculty Video Library
Get a head start with our curated New Faculty Video Library featuring:
- Teaching Tips
- Student Support Services
- Course Design Strategies
Questions?
Contact the Center for Teaching Excellence at cte@mailbox.sc.edu.