CAFE Programs
The Center for Advancing Faculty Excellence (CAFE) hosts a variety of faculty development and peer-to-peer programs throughout the academic year and summer term. Learn about each of CAFE's programs below. If you have an idea for a program and want to collaborate with us, email uaa_cafe@alaska.edu.
New Faculty Orientation
New Faculty Orientation (NFO) is a program for incoming and recently hired full-time faculty and postdocs. NFO sessions occur before Fall semester in August every year and are offered in a hybrid format, both in person and on Zoom. NFO will help orient yourself into UAA, meet other new faculty, and learn about all the resources available to you as you begin your journey at UAA. Also see the New Faculty Resources page for starting information outside NFO.
If you are an adjunct faculty member, CAFE also hosts a shorter evening orientation, Adjunct Faculty Orientation (AFO). Reach out to uaa_cafe@alaska.edu if you have any questions. These sessions happen before Fall semester (August) and Spring semester (January).
Check out our event calendar in August/January to find details on the dates of NFO/AFO, how to register, and more.
Teaching Academy
Teaching Academies are a bi-annual faculty development opportunity for all UAA faculty across disciplines and campuses. Teaching Academy sessions focus on evidence-based teaching and learning strategies, key institutional issues, using academic technologies, student-centered teaching, and more.
Headwaters
Headwaters is a weekly series for new full-time faculty (term and tenure-track) and pre-professoriate postdocs held each Fall semester. This program is designed to help you adjust to your new position at UAA. Each week will bring you brief check-ins where you can ask questions, get timely advice, connect with peers, and learn how to navigate UAA systems and resources.
Confluence
Confluence is a professional development series open to all UAA faculty where the many streams of the faculty experience converge. Each session offers space to connect, reflect, and grow as we explore the realities of academic life together. Come ready to engage in meaningful conversations, share experiences, and support one another in achieving professional goals. Confluence is held every Spring semester, and you can stay tuned through the Faculty Success newsletter to find out when the next series starts.
Promotion and Tenure Support
The Promotion and Tenure (P&T) process can be daunting, even if you’ve gone through the process before. Being intentional and giving your file the proper time and attention it needs will help you in getting that promotion. Did you know that faculty who have received promotion estimate they spent 80-100 hours putting their file together? Starting early and engaging with the file process regularly over time is the best way to set yourself up for success. We are here to help support you!
Available support:
- Faculty Services: If you have questions on the P&T process, we encourage you to contact Faculty Services
- Faculty Evaluation Policies and Procedures: Learn about the policies and procedures that guide faculty evaluation for 4th-year, promotion, tenure, and post-tenure review
- Faculty Evaluation Process Dates: An overview of the P&T timeline
- Promotion and Tenure Training Materials: Resources for faculty submitting files
- Promotion and Tenure Summer Working Group: Faculty meet over the summer to work on different aspects of their file. This is a great way to start the P&T process with peers, get support, and hold yourself accountable to working on your file. Please contact CAFE at uaa_cafe@alaska.edu if you are interested in joining this group
- Using eWolf ePortfolio for P&T: If you are submitting your file, you will be using ePortfolio to submit it. (This page is specific for using ePortfolio for P&T. Check out our other ePortfolio page if you are looking for resources on using ePortfolio in your classes.)
Peer-led programming
Programming led by our peers is central to the mission of CAFE. Learn about the peer-led programming available to all UAA faculty and staff below. If you have an idea for a community of practice or faculty interest group you would like to lead, please contact us! Stay updated and find out what we are currently offering on our events calendar.
Faculty Fellows
The Center for Advancing Faculty Excellence Faculty Fellows Program empowers full-time faculty to design and lead professional development experiences that transform teaching, foster growth, and strengthen our academic community. Join a 25-year legacy of peer-led excellence at UAA and learn more about the program below!
Faculty Success
Library 213 • 907-786-4496 • uaa_facultysuccess@alaska.edu •&²Ô²ú²õ±è;²Ñ´Ç²Ô»å²¹²â&²Ô²ú²õ±è;– Friday, 8 a.m. –&²Ô²ú²õ±è;5 p.m.