Welcome to the Iowa State University faculty
The Office of the Senior Vice President and Provost (also known as the Provost's office) champions the university’s land-grant mission: to create, share, and apply knowledge to make our students, Iowa, and the world better. The Division of Academic Affairs Strategic Plan provides an overview of how faculty can further the institution’s mission, vision, goals, and statements of aspiration. The division sponsors activities designed to support your various backgrounds, needs, and goals so that you may begin laying the groundwork for your faculty appointment at Iowa State.
Specifically, the Office of the Senior Vice President and Provost, the Graduate College, and the Office of the Vice President for Research, the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT), the University Library, and Extension and Outreach offer a series of programs and events for all newly-appointed faculty. The goal is to promote a smooth transition to work at Iowa State University and life in central Iowa. Attendance is strongly recommended. Registration is encouraged.
New Faculty Orientation Course
New faculty (term, tenure-eligible, and tenured) are strongly encouraged to orient themselves to Iowa State University prior to their official hire dates using the New Faculty Orientation course. Through this course, we seek to:
- cultivate a shared understanding of institutional mission and culture
- introduce you to important policies, programs, and information designed to advance your success
- provide you with information about how to successfully perform your position responsibilities
New faculty will retain access and use of the New Faculty Orientation course after their appointments formally begin.
Important Orientation Dates:
- Wednesday, January 14, 2026: Graduate College Orientation, 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., 2105 Pearson Hall
- Wednesday, January 14, 2026: New Faculty Orientation, noon to 5:00 p.m., Memorial Union, Campanile Room
- Tuesday, January 20, 2026: Graduate College Orientation, 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., 1204 Kildee Hall
- Friday, January 23, 2026: Research Faculty Orientation, 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Memorial Union, Great Hall
- Tuesday, August 18, 2026: Teaching Symposium, 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Student Innovation Center.
- Wednesday, August 19, 2026: New Faculty Orientation, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Reiman Gardens, Garden Room
- Wednesday, August 19, 2026: Graduate College orientation, 1:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m., Reiman Gardens, Speer Room
New Faculty Orientation
New faculty orientation, an in-person meeting, will be held on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, noon to 5:00 p.m., in the Memorial Union, Campanile Room. All new faculty (term, tenure-eligible, and tenured) who have joined Iowa State since September 1, 2025 are invited to attend. Please register.
Orientation Goals:
- Introduce new faculty to important policies, programs, and information
- Connect faculty with the Faculty Success Team, faculty panelists, deans, and College Peer Mentors
- Encourage networking and cultivate a sense of community and belonging
If newly appointed faculty are not available to attend the January 14 orientation, the next orientation meeting is on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at Reiman Gardens in the Garden Room.
Graduate Faculty Orientation
The Graduate College will hold two graduate faculty orientation sessions for newly- appointed tenured/tenure-track and associate graduate faculty in 2026 so that they can be added as instructors to courses and serve on program of study committees:
- Wednesday, January 14, 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., 2105 Pearson Hall
- Tuesday, January 20, 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., 1204 Kildee Hall
- Wednesday, August 19, 1:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m., Reiman Gardens, Speer Room
New tenured/tenure-track faculty must attend one of these sessions. The Graduate College staff recommend that all new associate graduate faculty attend one of the sessions as well. Both sessions will be identical. Sign-up for only one session.
If you have been a graduate faculty member for many years and/or have already attended a Graduate Faculty Orientation, you are not required to attend. All graduate faculty, however, are welcome to attend these orientations to get a refresher.
Contact Natalie Robinson, Assistant Director of Student and Faculty Services, nbr@iastate.edu, (515) 294-5020, for more information.
Research Faculty Orientation
Whether you arrived on the Iowa State University campus this year or in the past couple of years, we truly value your contributions in helping achieve our aspiration to be the university that cultivates a welcoming and respectful environment where all students, faculty, and staff flourish.
The Office of the Vice President for Research is delighted to host a Research Faculty Orientation information exchange – featuring a made-to-order (by the VPR!) omelet station – on the morning of Friday, January 23, 2026. We will start serving omelets at 8:00 a.m. in the Memorial Union Great Hall. Our information session will follow and our VPR team will be available to answer your questions through 11:00 a.m. Our program will focus on the life cycle of a research project from ideation through award management.
Registration is required—and to become better acquainted with your colleagues expertise—we ask you to come prepared to share a quick overview of your research interests and expertise using this simple template. Upload your slide with your registration prior to January 23.
CELT Teaching Symposium
The Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) hosts the CELT Teaching Symposium to discuss effective teaching practices and student support resources available at Iowa State University. All new faculty and staff with a teaching role are encouraged to attend on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Student Innovation Center.
Symposium Goals:
- Identify the practices and resources for effective teaching and learning
- Explore student support resources and services available
- Discuss the CELT services, support, and development opportunities for educators