Dear Faculty, Administrators and Staff,

We are announcing the annual opening of our Faculty Merit process as part of comprehensive efforts to reward faculty who excel at their work.

The following faculty are eligible to apply for merit:

Receipt of merit is of course contingent upon renewal of an applicant’s contract for the subsequent academic year.

This announcement also serves as a call for departments, schools, and colleges to assemble committees as per your processes. As we did last year, all faculty must participate in the approved process through their designated committee. All eligible faculty are now supported by established merit review committees across all schools and colleges; thus, there is no longer a need for an “alternate route” process. 

We will continue to have multiple tiered Faculty Merit awards:

We strongly encourage all eligible faculty to apply for merit, particularly those faculty who have not yet applied. We are eager to recognize more meritorious faculty and hope this tiered structure encourages greater faculty participation, resulting in an increased number of awards this year. We will continue to enhance our means for rewarding, retaining and celebrating scholarship, teaching and service excellence at Seton Hall.

View the Faculty Merit Policy and Guidelines.

View the 2025-26 Faculty Merit Calendar and Timeline.

Sincerely,
Erik

Last Tuesday, we honored some of our finest faculty and celebrated their achievements in research, teaching and service learning. The Office of the Provost extends its sincere congratulations to all 39 faculty awardees. View this year's recipients, learn more about the impact of their work and find photos from the event on the Faculty Excellence Awards page. 

A special congratulations to our university-wide honorees:

Monday, May 11, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m., University Center Event Room

Join University Advancement for a town hall event focused on “For All, Forever: A Campaign for a Greater Seton Hall.” The discussion will include information that will be helpful to the campus community including the background, progress and ways you can get involved in the campaign. There will also be an opportunity to answer questions submitted in advance of the town hall.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about Seton Hall’s most ambitious philanthropic effort. Register today.

Reminder: Extended Hours University Libraries Through Finals

Walsh Library - South Orange Campus

IHS Campus
The Interprofessional Health Science Building in Nutley is open 24 hours. The Library is staffed from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. on weekdays.

Rodino Law Library
Rodino Center open 6 a.m. to Midnight daily (Monday - Sunday)
Service Desk for research assistance open 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. (Monday - Friday)

Associate Professor Luye Li Wins University Research Council Award

Luye Li, Ph.D., associate professor at the College of Arts and Sciences, received a 2025-26 University Research Council award for the project titled “Enhancing Police Legitimacy and Public Trust through Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Crime Mapping Technology in China and the United States.” This project integrates GIS technology to examine how public sentiment and perceptions of police are influenced by geographic patterns of crime and police activity. Specifically, it explores how the spatial distribution of crime and police activities, such as patrols and police-public encounters, correlates with public trust across cultural and geographic contexts. Using spatial statistics, crime mapping, and sentiment analysis, the study advances understanding of police legitimacy in the United States and China to support evidence-based strategies tailored to diverse communities.

All incoming first-year students are asked to read a selected book over the summer before their first semester. The 2026 text is Amplify: How to Use the Power of Connection to Engage, Take Action and Build a Better World by Adam Met, Ph.D. with Heather Landy. Learn more about the Seton Hall summer reading books.

⭐ Compass Super User Spotlight:

A special shoutout to Dean Courtney Smith from the School of Diplomacy and International Relations for leading the way as the first college to update their Student Success Markers in Compass! Student Success Markers are key institutional indicators that help track student progress through foundational courses that are most predictive of success in a major. By keeping these markers updated, it is helping to strengthen early identification of students who may benefit from additional support, inform more meaningful advising conversations, and enhance our ability to monitor trends that impact persistence and retention.

Thank you, Courtney, for your leadership and commitment to student success!

Follow the CFD blog for more upcoming events and initiatives. We also welcome your suggestions for workshops and speakers, as well as requests for co-sponsorship of faculty-oriented events.

Meditative Coloring Session
May 6, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., Univ. Library, 2nd floor

International Faculty Group Lunch
May 6, 12 p.m. - 1 p.m., UC 201

ACUE: Finish Line Support Brunch
May 12, 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., UC 201

Summer Writing Retreat
May 19, 20, and 21; Chancellor's Suite, U Center lower level, and Teams.
Registration form can be found here.

Faculty Summer Seminar
May 26–28, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., University Center Room 206

Faculty Opportunities
Mission Partners Program 2026-27 - CFP
University Teaching Fellows 2026-27 - CFP

Podcast: Faculty Matters

Videos

New Video: Fulbright Information Session

Have you missed a CFD event? If so, you can find recordings here.

Upcoming Technology Workshops:

Enhance STEM Learning with VR and 3D Printing 
Faculty in Biological Sciences are using virtual reality and 3D printing to help students better understand complex molecular structures through immersive and hands-on learning. In collaboration with the TLTC, these approaches demonstrate how Innovation Hub technologies can support more engaging, intuitive instruction across disciplines. Learn more about Innovation Hub resources.

Innovate and Educate Podcast: First-Year Student Experiences 
Season 2, Episode 6 explores how Seton Hall supports first-year student success through high-impact programs that foster belonging and persistence. Listen and subscribe to Innovate and Educate.

Submit Final Grades 
Submit final grades through the University Portal using the Grading card under the Faculty & Advising tab. Grading closes Tuesday, May 19. View steps to submit final grades.

View Grades from a Student Perspective in Canvas 
Canvas allows instructors to view the Grades page as a student to identify missing, hidden or incorrect items. Learn how to view grades as a student.

Reminder from the Registrar: May 19 Deadline to Enter Grades for Spring 2026
Tuesday, May 19 is the deadline for faculty to enter Spring 2026 grades online via Banner Self-Service. Unresolved Spring 2025 Incomplete grades will convert to failing grades (FI). 

Reminder: Summer 2026 Sessions
As we look ahead to the summer, please mark your calendars for Summer 2026 sessions:

Visit the Academic Calendar for detailed information and add/drop deadlines.

Student Travel Award: Applications Open for MSCHE
The Annual Conference of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), taking place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on December 10, 2026. The Office of the Provost will support a select number of student researchers with a Student Travel Award. You and your students can read more about prior recipients here and consider presenting. To apply for the award, students should complete a brief application by this May 8.