Orientation Plan
In the spring 2001,
the University of Missouri appointed a task
force to review the faculty
orientation program. The task force
was made up of representatives from
University of Missouri Extension
field faculty, campus faculty, and
administration. Emphasis was placed on
input from "recent hires" to
our organization. Believing that new
faculty orientation is critical to the
future of MU Extension, the task force made a
number of recommendations to improve
the orientation process. Following are
the recommendations and plan for
implementation for MU Extension new faculty
orientation.
New Faculty
Orientation Objectives
To develop and retain
effective, positive, successful
employees. Employees who:
-
feel welcome and
valued
-
understand
University of Missouri Extension
-
understand and
successfully implement the program
development process
-
know how to access
information and resources
-
develop internal
and external relationships
-
feel
well-supported
-
demonstrate the
core competencies
-
know their
community(ies)
-
maintain a
positive attitude.
Our Guiding
Principles
-
We respect the
talents and skills of each new
employee. Accordingly, each
individual’s orientation will be
uniquely designed to meet his/her
needs.
-
Orientation will
involve the new faculty member as
a co-learner.
-
Orientation will
model the principles of adult
education, professionalism,
diversity, and recognize different
learning styles.
-
Orientation will
establish collegial relationships
that provide a support system for
new employees.
-
Orientation will
include formal and informal, as
well as group and individual
experiences.
-
Orientation will
strive for balance between
structure and flexibility.
-
Formal orientation
will occur over a two-year period.
Responsibility for
New Faculty Orientation
The regional director
is responsible for the successful
orientation of each faculty member in
his/her region. The new faculty
orientation staff and support team
assist in fulfilling the orientation
mission.
Orientation Process
The orientation
process focuses on developing
understanding and strengthening
competencies in the following seven
areas:
-
Organizational
Structure: New
faculty understand Extension, its mission, vision, organization,
funding, and history.
-
Program
Development/Evaluation: New
faculty effectively design,
implement, evaluate, and
report on educational
experiences.
-
Processes and
Systems: New
faculty access resources and
use systems to support
and report programming,
performance and professional
development.
-
Professional
Development: New
faculty enhance their core
competencies and become proficient in
developing and managing a
successful program effort.
-
Community
Knowledge: New
faculty know the area where they
will be working--the history,
culture, politics, local
expectations for position, key
leaders, demographics, county
plans, community issues.
-
Relationship
Building: New faculty
establish human relationships that
will provide a support system
for them.
-
Diversity: New faculty work
effectively as a diverse workforce
and with diverse audiences.
Orientation
Leadership
Regional directors, in
cooperation with the orientation staff
and support team, ensure that each new
faculty member participates in an
effective, successful orientation
process.
Orientation
Components
Orientation is learner-centered and
tailored to the individual development
of each new faculty member. A
support team will be appointed for
each new faculty member. In addition,
orientation may include cohort
training sessions, campus
consultations, monthly
teleconferences, e-mail list serves,
county and regional consultations,
in-service education, web-based training
modules and written resources.
Support Team. Each new
faculty should have a support team
comprised of the following:
- Regional Director - supervisor
and responsible for the overall
orientation
- Orientation Coordinator -
provide welcome and follow-up
support
- Program Director - provides
leadership for the state-wide
program
- Regional Mentor - resource and
support in all aspects of the job
- Program Coach(es) - train in
program development and management
- State Specialist Mentor -
resource and support in program
development
- County Program Director - orient
to the local office and region
- County Secretary - back-up
support in developing program in
county
- County Council Representative -
orient to the county and
community.
The team will be identified and
agreed upon by the regional director,
program leader and orientation
coordinator before the new faculty
arrives.
Community Development Academy.
All new faculty are encouraged to
participate in the Community
Development Academy professional
development experience during their
second year of employment. Enrollment
for CDA can be completed on the PIE/PDE
website. |
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NEW FACULTY
ORIENTATION
About Orientation
Get To Know University
of Missouri Extension
Diversity
NEW FACULTY COHORT
Meet Our New Faculty
Cohort Training
NEW FACULTY GUIDES
Your Support Team
Frequently Asked Questions
Get to Know Your
Community & Region
Program Development
& Evaluation
Web Apps Reporting Manual
Professional Development
Professional
Associations
SUPPORT TEAM GUIDES
Support Team Roles
and Responsibilities
Mentor Handbook
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