New Faculty Resource Guide

Dear New Faculty Member:

Welcome to the Salisbury University community! As SU enters its 96th 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. For some students, this semester will mark their first time back in a traditional classroom setting following an extended period of online and hybrid learning. They are ready to return, and so are we. We are excited to have you here during this transition, as you will surely see the beauty of our campus and the community that calls it home.

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. As an SU faculty member, you will be critical in supporting this mission. We look forward to your commitment to student learning and success, formation of new knowledge and creative work, and community involvement on campus and beyond. We are eager to support you in this endeavor, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to your fellow faculty, department chair, dean, or me should you have questions.

One of the most important characteristics of our students and faculty members is their eagerness to embrace information from multiple sources. Your transition to SU will call upon this skill. The New Faculty Orientation Committee has put together a comprehensive program to help you successfully navigate your first year and beyond at SU. It will orient you to sources of information, what to expect, who does what, and where to find helpful colleagues. You will learn about opportunities to interact outside of the classroom as well, as SU offers a rich array of cultural experiences and events throughout the year. The University offers a beautiful campus and arboretum, 11 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.

Our commitment to student centeredness is evident in all that we do at SU. 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. 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. Welcome to Salisbury University!

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