UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity is hosting an upcoming new series of workshops starting in October, presented by the Senior Faculty Mentors Systemwide Network (SFMSN). Registration is now open for all Penn State faculty.
Members of the Senior Faculty Mentors Systemwide Network (SFMSN) serve as a primary point of contact for support, professional development and career advancement for all faculty — including those with tenure-line and non-tenure-line appointments — who may face barriers to full participation and success in the academic community. Senior faculty mentors are committed to serving all faculty regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected class.
Registration is now open for the new series of workshops — “Faculty Pathway: Navigating Your Academic Career” — that address the unique challenges and opportunities faced by faculty at each stage of the career cycle. Workshops range from a focus on navigating promotion and tenure, balancing teaching, research, and service, and offering guidance and best practices for continued growth and success.
Fall 2025 workshops
Oct. 8: “Faculty Lifecycle Lunch and Conversation: Navigating the First Years – A Practical Workshop Series for Pre-Tenure University Faculty”
- Noon to 1:15 p.m. (in-person), 315 Grange Building
- Description: The transition to a faculty position can be exhilarating yet demanding, requiring you to balance the complex responsibilities of teaching, research and service. This hands-on workshop is designed to equip early-career faculty with essential strategies and practical tools to thrive in their new roles and establish a solid foundation for a successful academic career. Participants are asked to bring their most pressing questions and challenges to a supportive environment, where they will be welcomed and appreciated. This session will focus on how to manage your workload effectively by balancing teaching, research and service demands.
- Who should attend: Pre-tenure faculty members seeking practical, implementable advice for a successful start in their academic career, though all are welcome.
- Register here: Faculty Lifecycle Lunch and Conversation
Oct. 21: “Demystifying Penn State Research Centers: Part 1. Purpose of Centers & Benefits to You”
- Noon to 1 p.m. (via Zoom — link will be shared after registration)
- Description: Advancing your research portfolio is a key faculty objective. However, it is not always easy to determine who to contact, where to start, or how to identify, or engage with Penn State’s many resources. This series is an introduction and a bridge to all the above. Sarah Chilenski — research professor at the Edna Bennett Research Center and senior faculty mentor — will pull back the curtain and demystify the range of research support that is available to faculty at Penn State. This first session in the series will focus on the role of research centers at the University. Attendees will learn about the variety of centers available, their core functions, and how they can facilitate research for faculty across levels and disciplines.
- Who should attend: Early-career faculty, mid-career faculty and others who want to learn more about how to engage the available opportunities in the community of research centers.
- Register here: Demystifying Penn State Research Centers Part 1: Purpose of Centers & Benefits to YOU
Nov. 5: “Beyond Tenure – Strategizing for Full Professor”
- Noon-1:15 p.m. (location tba)
- Description: Join a community of peers for a candid conversation about the journey from associate to full professor. This workshop offers a safe space for tenured faculty to reflect on mid-career decision-making and strategize with colleagues who have successfully navigated the process. New and more senior associate professors will benefit from this session, though everyone is welcome. We will explore general expectations for research, teaching, and service, and discuss how to effectively build a midcareer portfolio that demonstrates readiness for the next rank.
- Lunch will be served. Space is limited to the first 25 registrants.
- Registration link to be available soon.
Dec. 3: “The Classroom and the School Run – Navigating the Dual Demands of Parenthood and Academia”
- Noon-1:15 p.m. (location tba)
- Description: Faculty face extraordinary pressures to excel in teaching, research, and service. For those who are also parents, these demands can create a persistent struggle for balance, leading to burnout and stress.
- Join us for this first session in a series of that provides a space for faculty-to-faculty sharing on how to navigate this unique landscape. We will move beyond simply ‘coping’ to explore actionable strategies for integrating your professional identity with a thriving household and family life. In this session we will explore best practices for setting professional and personal boundaries, including managing email expectations and protecting household and family time.
- Beverages and light refreshments will be provided. Space is limited to the first 25 registrants.
- Registration link to be available soon.
More information
Visit the SFMSN website to meet the University’s Senior Faculty Mentors and learn more about the full SFMSN academic calendar of events.
Contact Tamara Lucas at tvl5703@psu.edu with questions or if in need of assistance. Additional information will be shared out each month for all @PSUEdEquity events through e-mail and social media channels.