First Year Program
Inaugurated in fall 2001, our nationally-recognized First Year Program is designed to assist both experienced instructors, and instructors new to full-time teaching, become successful teacher/scholars at UW-Whitewater. Specifically, the First Year Program is designed to help instructors new to UW-Whitewater: (1) develop a clear understanding of the institution's traditions, expectations, values, policies and procedures; (2) identify strategies for improving instruction and enhancing student learning; and (3) cultivate rewarding relationships with other faculty and staff across campus to foster cross-disciplinary partnerships.
While the exact schedule varies, the program convenes monthly throughout the academic year. Sessions are typically held on Fridays from 12-2pm. The sessions are highly interactive. Data-driven, informed by best practice, and facilitated by current UW-Whitewater faculty staff who have excelled as teacher/scholars, all sessions include discussion, peer-to-peer interaction, training, and reflection. Pedagogical topics include training in the use of campus instructional technology, best practices in instructional design, strategies for student engagement, effective feedback and grading in the age of AI, student and instructor well-being, and classroom safety, among other topics.
All new instructors regardless of title are welcome to attend the First Year Program. Invitations are sent to new full-time instructors in early August. Additionally, all new tenure-track faculty are required by the Provost Office to participate in the First Year Program. Department chairs are aware of the scheduled sessions and are asked to ensure that their new tenure-track faculty are available to attend.
For any questions about the First Year Program, please contact CATLST at CATLST@uww.edu.
Whether you are designing a brand-new course or refreshing a long-standing one, UWW has many resources to help. Start by reviewing the UWW Syllabus Statements to ensure your documents include all mandatory and suggested campus information. Consider exploring Visual Syllabi to enhance student engagement. To plan your course schedule, reference the appropriate Academic Calendar and Final Exam Schedule. When it is time to update or select a textbook for the class, contact Textbook Rental. The UWW Library is also a great resource for class materials and readings. Finally, remember UWW faculty are required to submit their syllabi every semester to an online syllabus database for public viewing.
Supporting our students means connecting them with the right people to help at the right time. UWW’s Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) is a comprehensive resource for both faculty and students to manage classroom accommodations and testing alternatives.
Here at UWW we use Navigate as our primary tool for making advising appointments with students, reporting concerns about students, documenting student needs, and supporting student success. If a student requires broader support, you can also connect them with the Dean of Students, fill out a CARE team report, or connect them to University Health and Counseling Services.
Finally, the campus One Stop is an excellent resource for students seeking more information on course registration, housing, financial aid, scholarships, and more.
At UWW, we are committed to your lifelong learning as an educator. The Center for the Advancement of Teaching, Learning, Scholarship, and Technology (CATLST) is your primary hub for pedagogical and instructional technology support. We invite you to join us for our annual Celebrating Teaching and Learning Conference or participate in our ongoing Book Clubs and Workshops. You can use the Campus Sign-Up Tool to find and register for professional development opportunities offered across campus each month.
UWW provides extensive support for faculty and students using AI. AI usage guidelines and training opportunities can be found on our AI Resources page.
At UWW all course materials must meet federal digital accessibility standards. Digital Accessibility training and support can be found on our DA Resources page.
UWW uses CANVAS our Learning Management System. Our Canvas Instructor Training Course covers all the basics of building your digital classroom. For technical troubleshooting, the ITS Technology Resources page and our Knowledge Base library provide quick, self-service instructions for common technology concerns.
We are here to support your professional trajectory at UW-Whitewater. Faculty can find detailed information on the Tenure and Promotion Process, while full-time staff can access guidelines for the Academic Staff Promotion timeline.
For those pursuing scholarly work, the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP), provides essential support for grant applications, Sabbaticals, and Undergraduate Research. If your work involves assessment or institutional data, reach out to the Office of Institutional Research, Assessment, and Planning (IRAP). Additionally, when it comes time to manage the logistics of professional travel for conferences or research support, visit the UW System Travel page for information on how to file your expense reports for reimbursement.
Being a part of the Warhawk community means access to a wealth of resources both on campus and in the Whitewater community. We encourage you to explore UWW HR and their Worksite Wellness site for information on employee benefits including health insurance plans, retirement planning, free individual and family counseling, free legal support, and other wellness initiatives. To maximize one of the unique benefits of working for UW-System, be sure to correctly report your No Leave Taken in Workday each month. Winther Counseling also provides free support for employees and their families.
Employees can find a range of cultural programming and entertainment happening every week on campus via the Campus Events Calendar, which lists everything from athletics and theater to technology workshops.