The annual New Faculty Orientation program is designed to acquaint newcomers with resources and options available on the Manoa Campus, as well as those in the community. New faculty are apprised of the diversity of our student body and the challenges of teaching in a multicultural academic environment. Over the years, OFDAS has taken a leadership role in organizing a program based on needs assessment studies of faculty. Typically, the program is devoted to introducing new faculty to the campus; distributing information about the campus and community, usually at a resource fair; presenting faculty and student perspectives on teaching and learning at UHM; and culminating in a reception at the President’s residence at College Hill.

This annual orientation program serves as a springboard for other OFDAS programs during the academic year. Many of the participants continue with the Teaching Enhancement Seminars in the Fall term. A parallel orientation program is also available for teaching assistants and are sponsored by the Center for Teaching Excellence.