New Faculty
Center for Teaching Excellence
New Faculty Orientation | Tuesday, August 11, 2026
All events take place in Conaton Learning Commons (CLC), unless otherwise noted.
8:30—9:00 Coffee and Conversation CLC 317 (Stinson Faculty Lounge)
WELCOME TO THE XAVIER COMMUNITY
9:00—10:15 Welcome, Introductions, Group Exercise – Dr. Eric Bucher CLC 308
Dr. Mary Kochlefl (Associate Provost for Academic Excellence)
Dr. Eric Bucher (Mathematics, CTE Faculty Director)
Dr. Sheena Steckl (English, Faculty Director of Community Engaged Learning)
Dr. Victoria Vogelgesang (CTE Co-Director)
Nykara Brown (CTE Assistant Director)
Tara Koch (CTE Operations Specialist)
Dr. Jeremy Steeves (Exercise Science, Persistence Project Faculty Associate)
Dr. Ashley Theuring (Theology, CTE Fall Faculty Associate)
Dr. Bryan Buechner (Marketing, CTE Spring Faculty Associate)
10:15 – 10:30 NFO 26 Group photo on stairs with Tara Koch, CLC
10:30—11:30 Welcome to a Jesuit University
Eric Sundrup, SJ (Vice President for Mission and Ministry, University Chaplain)
Dr. Rachel Chrastil (Provost)
11:30 – 11:55 Teaching at a Jesuit University Q&A facilitated by Dr. Ashley Theuring
11:55 Walk to Schmidt Hall with Tara Koch
12:00—1:30 Manresa Kick-Off Luncheon for New Faculty and Staff * Conaton Board Room
ENHANCING TEACHING & LEARNING
1:30—2:30 Special Interest Roundtables
Dr. Scott Breloff (Center for Research Excellence Director/URCA)
Dr. Sheena Steckl (Community Engaged Learning)
Dr. Jarrod Humphrey (Center for Innovation and AI Strategy)
Dr. Lisa Jutte (Provost Fellow for Interprofessional Education, Xavier Health Initiative)
2:30 – 4:00 Information Fair — Faculty & Student Resources
Technology Help—New Tech & Devices, Classroom Tech
IDT – Canvas Help, Online Teaching, Educational Tech
Center for Research Excellence – Grants, IRB, URCA
Library Resources – Library team
Tours: Digital Media Lab (please sign up for a time)
And more!
Center for Teaching Excellence
New Faculty Orientation | Wednesday, August 12, 2026
8:30—9:00 Coffee and Conversation CLC 317 (Stinson Faculty Lounge)
SUPPORTING XAVIER STUDENTS
9:00—9:45 Teaching Strategies/Group Breakouts – Relationship Rich Classroom Practices CLC 308
Dr. Jeremy Steeves
9:45 – 10:30 Supporting Students Academically
Cassandra Jones (Office of Accessibility and Disability Resources)
Jen Droege (Academic Advising and Learning Support)
Stephanie Daniels (Director of Student Learning Support)
10:30—11:15 Supporting Students Holistically
Angie Kneflin (Care Management Services)
Jamie Baxter (Counseling Services)
11:15—12:00 Learning from Xavier Students
Jamie Kuhlmeier (Office of the Graduate School)
Undergraduate and Graduate Student Panel facilitated by Nykara Brown
12:00—1:00 Cookout with XUPD and Deans
FACULTY DEVELOPMENT AT XAVIER
1:00 – 1:30 Professional Development Opportunities at the CTE CLC 308
Dr. Victoria Vogelgesang – Overview and New Faculty Program
Dr. Eileen Alexander (Director of Faculty Programs, CMI)
Dr. Izzy Maffetone (Director of the Writing Center)
1:30—2:15 Concurrent Sessions:
Tenure-Track Tenure & Mid-tenure Process; Research Funding Opportunities CLC 308
(Eric, Jeremy, Kelly, Hannah, Ellie, Eileen, recent mid-tenure)
Professors of Instruction and Clinical Instructors Annual Review and Promotion Process CLC 309
(Sheena, Raj, Mike)
-Dena Morton CAS
-Steve Yandell CAS
-Lisa Jutte CHHS
2:15 – 3:00 Human Resources – Benefits session + Q/A