New at LSU

Faculty gather for a day of discovery, connection, and collaboration during Welcome Week

August 31, 2023

The Office of Academic Affairs hosted its annual New Faculty Summit on August 15, 2023 in the newly-renovated Huey P. Long Field House. This annual event, sponsored by Campus Federal, provides new faculty with the tools they need to be successful during their first semester at LSU.

Executive Vice President & Provost Roy Haggerty kicked off the summit with a warm welcome and an affirmation of the university's commitment to providing a supportive environment for its faculty members. 

Provost Haggerty also shared information about President Tate's Scholarship First Agenda, the aspirational framework for LSU's priorities. Faculty are critical to the success of the Scholarship First Agenda through their interdisciplinary research and efforts to improve student outcomes. Additionally, Haggerty gave a brief overview of the recent changes to graduate student stipends. Through the help of the Louisiana Legislature, LSU has been able to implement competitive stipends and affordable health insurance for graduate students. 

"Our prosperity and well-being require the generation and propagation of new knowledge, and that happens primarily at research-intensive universities like ours, led by faculty," said Haggerty. "Thank you for choosing to start the next stage of your career here, doing Scholarship First."

After a group photo with the Provost, attendees settled in for presentations from various university leaders. Dr. Jennifer Baumgartner, chair of the Learning & Teaching Collaborative (LTC), gave a presentation on teaching and classroom management. The LTC hosts workshops and events throughout the year in order to equip faculty with effective pedagogical strategies.

Vice President for Research & Economic Development Robert Twilley gave a high-level overview of the operational and strategic functions of the Office of Research & Economic Development. Key initiatives for this year include the improvement of the research experience for faculty at LSU, and the continuation of the Provost's Fund for Innovation in Research. Launched in 2022, the Provost’s Fund supports interdisciplinary research in five priority areas, also known as the LSU Pentagon, which includes agriculture, biomedicine and biotechnology, coast and environment, defense and cybersecurity and energy—key economic drivers for Louisiana based on existential needs—across every discipline, department, college and program.

Faculty Senate President Inessa Bazayev spoke about the university's shared governance structure and how to get involved, and Vice President Todd Manuel gave updates on LSU's efforts in inclusion, civil rights and Title IX. Then, attendees were off to lunch at the South Stadium Club in Tiger Stadium. Campus Federal, the event sponsor, gave a presentation and faculty members were given the opportunity to connect with their respective deans.

After lunch, Interim Vice President Brandon Common gave an overview of the Division of Student Affairs and how to support students. Lastly, Senior Vice Provost Jane Cassidy provided an overview of university policies and pointed them to resources they will need during their time at LSU. 

"It is so inspiring every year to welcome new faculty to campus," said Cassidy. "Our hope is that through the New Faculty Summit we can give them a jump start to the semester and provide a warm welcome to LSU."

The LSU Office of Academic Affairs and the Learning & Teaching Collaborative will continue to engage with new faculty throughout their first year as they navigate LSU's campus, policies, and procedures.