NFO 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.

2026 New Faculty Orientation will be held on Wednesday, August 26 and Thursday, August 27, 2026.

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).

Wednesday, August 26 2026 | 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

Carol Bautista (Senior Manager of Faculty Affairs & Governance Operations)
& Sarah Nelson (Executive Assistant for Academics & Student Experience) 

Key & Lute Card with Pat Henness (Associate Director for Access Controls and LuteCard Operations)

9:00-10:00 am Welcome & Introductions
Dr. Joanna Royce-Davis (Provost and Senior Vice President for Academics and Student Experience )
Staff (Office of the Provost)

Cohort Building

Laree Winer (Director, Wild Hope Center for Vocation)

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 The Culture of Teaching and Learning at PLU

Dr. Jennifer Smith (Associate Provost for Core Curriculum and Faculty Development)

12:00-12:15 pm Break, move to lunch in Anderson University Center (AUC) 203 (Regency Room)

12:15-12:55 pm Lunch – Regency Room (AUC)

12:55-1:00 pm Break & move back to Hauge Admin 101

1:00-2:00 pm The Culture of Teaching and Learning at PLU – cont.

Dr. Chanun Caine (Visiting Assistant Professor of Education)

2:00-2:15 pm Break & move to next session

2:15-3:15 pm Who are the students you will encounter on the first day of class? Who will help you respond to student needs? – Wellbeing Services & Resources (WSR)

Dr. Eva Frey (Dean of Students and Associate Vice President for Wellbeing Services & Resources)
Kristin Plaehn (Executive Director of the Center for Student Success)

3:15-4:00 pm Student Support Tour

Dr. Bridget Yaden (Vice Provost for Student Success and Academics)
Dr. Angie Hambrick (Associate Provost for Advising, Equity, and Student Experience)

Thursday, August 27, 2026 | 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 2026-2027 academic year

Dr. Jennifer Smith (Associate Provost for Core Curriculum and Faculty Development)

9:15-10:30 am Student Perspectives & Reflection 

Laree Winer (Director, Wild Hope Center for Vocation)

10:30-10:45 am Break

10:45-11:15 am Introduction to Information & Technology Services (I&TS) 

Information & Technology Services Team

• • Sakai & Canvas – PLU’s Learning Management Systems
  • Classroom technology tools and support

11:15-11:45am Introduction to Using Banner – PLU’s Employee & Student Information System

Dr. Bridget Yaden (Vice Provost for Student Success and Academics)

11:45-11:50 am Cohort group photo – Hauge Admin lobby/front steps or KHP Red Square

Sy Bean (University Photographer)

11:50-12:00 pm Move to lunch in Anderson University Center 100 (Scandinavian Cultural Center)

12:00-1:15 pm Lunch with Academic Leaders 

• • During the lunch hour, Human Resources will be available to answer any questions you might have about benefits.
  • Additionally, the University Photographer – Sy Bean – will be available from 12:15-1:15 pm to take individual photos in Red Square 

After you have finished eating, you will gather by colleges and tour applicable buildings and offices with your college’s administrative assistant(s).