New Faculty Retreat

Institution Name: Regis University

Program Contact Name: Daniel Justin

Program Contact Email: djustin@regis.edu

Program Contact Phone Number: (402) 214-8828

Short Program Description:

For years, Regis University has welcomed new ranked faculty with a retreat. It began as an overnight in the mountains, but now consists of two work-hour days in August. This is the start of Regis’ three-year mission onboarding program for new faculty (the Manresa Experience).

Program Goals/Intended Outcomes:

1. Introduction to Regis’ mission and the questions that accompany working at a Jesuit, Catholic university.
2. Build community with other new faculty through sharing stories and hopes.
3. Seeing the importance of mission as communicated through the president, provost, and deans.

How long does it take to complete the program?: Multiple days

Total Program Length: Two days

Key University/Other Partners: President, Provost, Deans

Funding Source(s): Mission Budget

Stipends Paid or Other Participant Benefits: Release Time

Program Material 1: 2025 New Faculty Retreat Schedule

Lessons Learned:

Speakers are often told that new faculty will not remember what they tell them (in light of everything being new at the start of a new academic year), but they will remember how the speakers made them feel. This has been a great way to introduce new colleagues to the mission and for them to see it as a real asset.

Assessment Data:

Follow-up surveys show that this is a very positive experience for faculty. A deeper assessment is done at the end of the first academic year.

Please Provide Any Other Information:

The schedule is just an outline of sessions; more details can be shared with those who are interested.