2025 New Faculty Orientation Schedule
The Office of the Provost works in close collaboration with the Wild Hope Center for Vocation to facilitate New Faculty Orientation, and to provide various New Faculty Development opportunities throughout the academic year.
2025 New Faculty Orientation will be held on Wednesday, August 20 and Thursday, August 21, 2025.
If you have not already, visit the Getting Started at PLU page for important information and steps to take before the beginning of the academic year.
New Faculty Orientation is for new full-time faculty and is by invitation only. If you did not receive an invitation, but feel that you should have, please contact the Office of the Provost (provost@plu.edu). For all other questions regarding orientation, please contact Laree Winer, Associate Director for the Wild Hope Center for Vocation (winerll@plu.edu).
New Faculty Orientation - Day 1
Wednesday, August 20, 2025 | 8:30 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Registration takes place in the Hauge Administration Building outside of Room 101. Hauge is just west of Park Avenue on 121st Street South. Nearby parking lots include Anderson University Center lot, and Library lot. On orientation days, it is OK to park in university lots without a parking decal.
8:30-9:00 am Registration & Breakfast – Hauge Administration 101
A. Bryant (Office of the Provost); Key & Lute Card with Pat Hennes
9:00-10:00 am Welcome, Introductions
Dr. Joanna Gregson (Sociology, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs)
Staff (Office of the Provost)
Cohort Building
Dr. Stephanie Johnson (Dean of the College of Liberal Studies)
10:00-11:00 am The Educational Mission of PLU & Introduction to Lutheran Higher Education
Dr. Samuel Torvend (Religion, Wild Hope Center for Vocation)
11:00-11:15 am Break
11:15-12:00 pm Inclusive Pedagogy and The Culture of Teaching and Learning at PLU
Dr. Jennifer Smith (Dean for Inclusive Excellence; Gender, Sexuality and Race Studies)
12:00-12:15 pm Break, move to lunch in Karen Hille Phillips – Ness Family Lobby 2nd floor
12:15-12:55 pm Lunch is served
12:55-1:00 pm Break, move back to Hauge Admin 101
1:00-2:00 pm Inclusive Pedagogy and The Culture of Teaching and Learning at PLU – cont.
Dr. Jennifer Smith
2:00-3:00 pm Who are the students you will encounter on the first day of class? Who will help you respond to student needs?
Kristin Plaehn (Executive Director of the Center for Student Success)
Jennifer Childress-White (Assistant Dean of Students and University Title IX Coordinator)
3:00-3:15 pm Break, move to next session
3:15-4:15 pm Student Support and Resource Panel
Austin Beiermann (Director for Accessibility and Wellbeing Resources)
Jen Rude (University Pastor)
Magdalena Stickel (Assistant Director and Confidential Advocate, Office of DJS)
4:15 pm Announcements & Conclusion of Day 1
4:20 pm Tour of Mortvedt Library (optional) – Meet in the lobby of Mortvedt Library
Joe Toth (Dean of the Library)
New Faculty Orientation - Day 2
Thursday, August 21, 2025 | 8:30 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.
The second day of New Faculty Orientation is held in Hauge Administration Building outside of Room 101. Hauge is just west of Park Avenue on 121st Street South. Nearby parking lots include Anderson University Center lot, and Library lot. On orientation days, it is OK to park in university lots without a parking decal.
8:30-9:00 am Continental Breakfast Served – Hauge Administration 101
9:00-9:15 am NFO during the 2025-2056 academic year
Dr. Jennifer Smith (Dean of Inclusive Excellence; Gender, Sexuality and Race Studies)
9:15-10:15 am Student Perspectives – Student Panel
Laree Winer (Director, Wild Hope Center for Vocation)
10:15-10:30 am Reflection on Student Perspectives
Laree Winer (Director, Wild Hope Center for Vocation)
10:30-10:45 am Break
10:45-11:50 am Top 5 Tech Things to Know
Dr. Bridget Yaden (Associate Provost for Undergraduate Programs)
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- Sakai & Canvas – PLU’s Learning Management Systems
- Banner – PLU’s Student Information System
- Classroom Technology tools and support
- Engagement Tools
- Student Success and Support Apps
11:50-11:55 am Cohort group photo – Hauge Admin lobby/front steps or KHP Red Square
Sy Bean (University Photographer)
11:55-12:00 pm Move to lunch in Anderson University Center 214 Chris Knutzen East
12:00-1:00 pm Human Resources – Q&A Tables available until 1:00 pm
12:15-1:15 pm Lunch is served in AUC CK East with Academic Leaders
12:30-1:30 pm Individual photos with Sy Bean (University Photographer) – KHP Red Square
1:00 pm Announcements and Conclusion of August Orientation
Dr. Stephanie Johnson, Dean of College of Liberal Studies
Dr. Jen Smith, Dean on Inclusive Excellence
1:15 pm College Campus Tours with Administrative Assistants
Gather by colleges and tour applicable buildings led by your college’s Administrator(s).