New Faculty Checklists

Being a new full-time faculty member can be a bit of a rollercoaster ride. First, the elation and excitement and imagining new opportunities!  This exhilaration may be followed by anxiety about new responsibilities, new colleagues, and managing your work/life balance. With the right strategies and support, stepping into your new role can be energizing and enjoyable! These checklists have been designed to help you get your career off to a great start.

Prior to Your Arrival:


Upon Arrival:


Within your first six months:

  • Create a “Plan of Work” with your department head around your teaching, scholarship, and service (differs depending on rank).
  • Familiarize yourself with your college's Tenure and Promotion Polices and Expectations. See your department head if questions.
  • Tenure Track and Tenured Faculty should plan a research agenda (see your department head).
  • Depending on your department’s mentoring policies, meet with your assigned mentor.
  • Connect with your library liaison.


During your first year: 

  • Evaluate annual milestones for goals established in your Plan of Work.
  • Set goals for the next academic year for your Plan of Work.
  • Evaluate your mentoring network and benefits of building relationships with colleagues.  
  • Sign up for a free membership with NCFDD.org!  RIT has an institutional membership!
  • Maintain a healthy work/life balance! Check out the opportunities available to all employees at RIT's Better Me Employee Wellness division. 


Conclusion of your first year:

  • Congratulate yourself on a job well done!  
  • Reflect on your first year and see your department head if concerns around your roles in: 
    • Teaching - Take a look at your teaching evaluations. Not what you expected? Don't beat yourself up over them—it’s your first year and there are many resources here at RIT to help!  Consider what you might do next year to improve and seek support and guidance from units across campus.
    • Scholarship – (for Tenured/Tenure-Track faculty) Look at the research agenda you set. Are you reaching your milestones for publication or works in progress? Consider joining a faculty writing group or community of practice.
    • Service - (for Tenured/Tenure-Track faculty/Non-Tenure Track) have you achieved your goal for service in establishing yourself as a member of internal or external committees?
  • Consider how you have balanced your work and life responsibilities this year. Does something need to be adjusted? 
  • If so, consider the many resources RIT provides.  
  • Revisit your "kudos file" for positive reinforcement.  
  • Plan your summer vacation!