A warm welcome to new faculty and staff was extended to 60 new faculty members and 35 new staff members last week at the inaugural new faculty/staff orientation.

The program included remarks from each Cabinet member and presentations from various campus leaders. The half-day orientation program was part of a 5-day on-boarding experience that new tenure-track faculty experienced. The new tenure-track faculty orientation program is designed to support faculty to be successful during their first semester and beyond.

One major goal of new faculty orientation is to begin to create a community among our new faculty as they learn about the campus and the Fresno area.

The combined new-hire orientation was the result of a new employee on-boarding initiative aimed at enhancing the Fresno State culture of engagement and belonging. The on-boarding initiative was inspired by two Bold Ideas submitted in early 2016 by Arturo Mendoza and Dr. Larissa Mercado-Lopez.

A CAIFE team worked throughout 2016-17 to review and revitalize the employee on-boarding process to enhance the welcome experience for new employees. A combined faculty/staff orientation and "welcome to Fresno State program" was one of several recommendations and improvements the team initiated.

“I was so excited to be a part of the orientation," said Lori Clanton, director of Advancement Operations. "I even texted a few of my friends with a picture of the Cabinet on stage — ‘I love this place’ — while I was enjoying the breakfast session.”

Another result of the CAIFE team's work is the new employee Welcome Basket. Effective August 1, all new employees hired into permanent positions will receive a welcome basket filled with University office supplies and Fresno State swag. The basket is intended to be a simple and symbolic gesture to make new employees feel welcome and appreciated. (For more information contact Human Resourcesor Faculty Affairs.)

New employee Welcome Baskets

In the coming months, additional improvements to the on-boarding practices will be rolled-out. Watch for a Bulldogs at Work website, manager checklist for new employees, and additional training opportunities to help new faculty and staff successfully navigate Fresno State.

Meanwhile, welcome to our newest faculty, staff and managers!