New Faculty FIT

The Drake Institute's Faculty Foundation, Impact, Transformation (FIT) Program is a set of coordinated learning experiences for new and developing instructors and their mentors at The Ohio State University. Year-long programming focuses on active support for instructional faculty at differing levels of experience and strives to engage faculty who are new to the university.

Want to get involved?

New faculty members interested in joining an AY24-25 cohort are encouraged to register here by September 2, 2024. If you have any questions, please reach out to drakeinstitute@osu.edu.

Areas of Focus

Faculty FIT seeks to engage faculty early, build community and encourage reflection on excellent teaching. Program activities are designed to meet the needs of the diverse community of instructors who are new to Ohio State:

• Foundation: For faculty new to teaching to accelerate the adoption of evidence-based teaching practices and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of teaching
• Impact: For faculty with some prior teaching experience to develop greater expertise in educational pedagogy and enhance their reputation and influence as educators
• Transformation: For experienced faculty to develop mentorship skills and expertise as advocates for institutional goals. This pathway is for the “master teacher” who seeks to shape university culture and policy and advance learning achievement at Ohio State.

Program Format

Faculty FIT begins with a kickoff event at Ohio State's New Faculty Orientation. From there, new faculty are offered the chance to join small mentoring cohorts of three to four new faculty members and one experienced Ohio State faculty member mentor who has been hand-picked and is known for excellent teaching. Cohorts typically meet monthly throughout the academic year. New Faculty who complete the FIT Program will earn the New Faculty FIT Teaching and Learning Endorsement from the Drake Institute.

New faculty are also invited to engage in professional learning through formal and informal workshops, book groups, online courses and events sponsored by the Drake Institute and its partners.