Faculty play a crucial role in all aspects of the School of Public Health. The Office of Faculty Affairs (OFA) supports faculty throughout their careers through development and engagement activities that foster professional growth and academic success. Opportunities include programs focused on grant writing, manuscript preparation, leadership development, and more. This page also includes selected SPH and University resources that may support faculty development and engagement.
If there is a faculty development activity or resource that would be valuable to the SPH community, please contact OFA at sph-ofa@umn.edu.
Orientation & Onboarding
SPH and the University offer several opportunities to help new faculty get oriented, build connections, and learn about resources available to support their work. OFA also offers individual introductory meetings with new faculty to provide an opportunity to connect with the OFA team and learn more about faculty resources and support.
SPH New Employee Orientation is offered monthly for new faculty and staff with appointments of 50% or greater. The orientation introduces the School’s mission, key policies and resources and provides an opportunity to connect with colleagues across SPH.
Each spring, the Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs hosts an informal lunch for faculty hired during the prior calendar year. The lunch provides an opportunity to discuss the new faculty experience, identify barriers and needed resources, and build connections with other new faculty.
New Faculty Orientation is an annual program facilitated by the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost for new tenure-track, tenured, continuous-track and term faculty members, as well as teaching specialists, lecturers, and librarians. This orientation provides information on teaching, research/creative activity, and life at the University of Minnesota, as well as interaction with other new faculty.
Junior Faculty Luncheons
Junior Faculty Luncheons provide informal opportunities for SPH tenure track assistant and associate professors and term (contract) faculty to connect with colleagues across divisions.
Sessions focus on topics relevant to junior faculty and provide opportunities to share expertise, exchange ideas, and build cross-disciplinary connections.
Luncheons are held from 12–1 p.m. on the first Thursday of October, December, February, April, and May. Sessions are offered in person in A301 Mayo Bldg. and via Zoom.
Co-chair
Katie Berry, Assistant Professor, Division of Epidemiology & Community Health
Topics
Topics for 2026–2027 will be announced as they are finalized.
Upcoming dates
- October 8, 2026
- December 3, 2026
- February 4, 2027
- April 1, 2027
- May 6, 2027
Faculty Resources & Opportunities
The School of Public Health and University of Minnesota offer a variety of resources, programs, and opportunities to support faculty development, research, engagement, and well-being. The resources below highlight opportunities that may be particularly useful to SPH faculty, including those who are new to the University.
Important SPH Meetings to Schedule. New faculty are encouraged to meet with the following SPH leaders to learn about resources, services, and opportunities that support their work:
- Rachel Smith, Director of Communications and Marketing
- Kathryn Tjaden Balster, Chief Advancement Officer
- Kris Woll, Interim Director of E-Learning Services
Health Equity Work Group Peer Mentorsprovide opportunities for faculty to connect with colleagues around health equity in teaching and related areas.
The Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost provides resources and programs to support faculty throughout their careers, including:
- New Faculty Orientation — Annual orientation for new faculty.
- New Faculty Program — Monthly Zoom sessions offered throughout the academic year.
- Strong Start at the U: A Resource Guide for New Faculty — Resources to help new faculty navigate the University.
The Institute for Diversity, Equity, and Advocacy (IDEA) provides resources and programs focused on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
The Office of Public Engagement provides resources and opportunities for faculty engaged in community partnerships and public engagement. The Public Engagement Footprint allows faculty to document community-engaged projects.
The Research & Innovation Office (RIO) provides funding and award opportunities, including seed, pilot, travel, and student funding.
The Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) provides funding, training, and leadership development opportunities for researchers at various career stages.
The Center for Global Health and Social Responsibility offers grants and programs related to research, training, and engagement.
The Health Equity Leadership & Mentoring Program (HELM) provides leadership and mentoring opportunities focused on health equity.
The Center for Women in Medicine & Science (CWIMS) offers programs and events that are open to faculty across the University, with the exception of Action Groups.
Mindful Mondays — Free drop-in mindfulness sessions.
Mindful Mornings — Mindfulness programming.
Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing — University resources and programs supporting well-being.
