New Faculty Resource Guide

Dear New Faculty Member:

Welcome to the Salisbury University campus community! We are pleased that you have decided to join us. As SU enters its 95th year, we welcome a large and diverse student body, as well as new faculty and staff who will help light and maintain the torch of learning for our students in ways many of them never thought possible.

SU has a proud and distinguished history, a commitment to student centeredness which is evident in all that we do, and a talented group of students, faculty and staff who make our academic community one that thrives and continues to grow. The disciplinary knowledge, diverse viewpoints, and new ideas and skills you bring to SU will contribute to our continued recognition as A Maryland University of National Distinction.

You don’t have to take our word for that. National publications such as U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review and Forbes have named SU among the top public universities in the region and in the country.

We have exciting new developments on campus this academic year. At the top of the list is “We Are SU: The Campaign for Salisbury University,” the largest fundraising initiative in University history, with a goal of $75 million for student scholarships, faculty and staff support, classroom enhancements, community partnerships and more. Look for a campus kickoff event in October.

One of the most important characteristics of our students and faculty members is their eagerness to embrace all sorts of information from multiple sources. Your next several days will call upon those skills. The New Faculty Orientation Committee has put together a comprehensive program to help you successfully navigate your first year at SU. It will orient you to sources of information, what to expect, who does what and where to find helpful colleagues. There are many wonderful places to explore and engage in our local community and throughout our region; we hope you’ll have fun exploring them, as have we.

Salisbury University’s highest purpose is “to empower our students with the knowledge, skills, and core values that contribute to active citizenship, gainful employment and life-long learning in a democratic society and interdependent world.” As an SU faculty member, you will be critical in supporting this mission. We look forward to your support of student learning and success, formation of new knowledge and creative work, and connection-making across campus and to our regional and broader communities. We are eager to support you in your new role, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to your fellow faculty, department chair, dean, or me should you have questions.

We are genuinely glad you are here and hope you will find the personal and professional satisfaction that comes from working with engaged students and supportive colleagues. SU is a friendly and welcoming campus, with many opportunities to interact informally and offering a rich array of cultural experiences throughout the year. The University also offers a beautiful campus and arboretum, eleven LEED-certified buildings, and award-winning dining services, all of which provide a pleasant environment for teaching, research, creative activity, and service. We hope that each of you will enjoy it as much as we do. Welcome to Salisbury University!

Sincerely,
Karen L. Olmstead, Ph.D.
Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs