Dear Faculty, Administrators and Staff,

This week, we are pleased to welcome our new faculty and students to our South Orange and IHS Campuses and begin classes at our Newark Campus as we begin the academic year. Once again, I am inspired by the sense of purpose and possibility that accompanies this important moment for our community.

I extend my sincere gratitude to Dr. Mary Balkun for her leadership of the Center for Faculty Development in coordinating this year’s two-day New Faculty Orientation, as well as to all who contributed to its success. We are fortunate to have such an accomplished group of faculty joining us and I invite you to celebrate them at the Faculty Convocation on September 12, 2025, at 1 p.m. We will also honor our newly tenured and promoted faculty at the Convocation, and I look forward to seeing all of you there.

Tomorrow begins Move-In Day for our newest undergraduate students – an important milestone for them and their families. I encourage members of our community to extend a warm Pirate welcome – whether by offering directions, providing assistance or greeting them with a friendly smile. These gestures exemplify the hospitality and care that define our institution.

I look forward to engaging with both new and returning colleagues and students as we work together to support and celebrate our newest members.

Sincerely,
Erik

Last Wednesday, the Office of Graduate Affairs hosted its annual virtual University-wide New Graduate Student Orientation, welcoming more than 275 student attendees – receiving the highest show rate (75%) since launch. Students were introduced to the Seton Hall resources and services that will support their studies, with presentations from Student Services, Graduate Affairs, Career Services, University Libraries, Grants and IRB, Financial Aid and the Bursar, and Information Technology.

As the fall semester approaches, faculty and administrators are invited to attend upcoming welcome events hosted by Graduate Affairs: Welcome Week from August 25 – 28 at the South Orange campus and a Graduate Student Welcome and Social on August 26 at the IHS campus. 

Seton Hall University has officially begun its transition to Banner SaaS, a cloud-based platform that will modernize core administrative systems across the University. This initiative is part of a larger digital transformation aimed at improving the way departments work and how services are delivered to students, faculty and staff. Banner SaaS will streamline key functions such as course registration, financial aid, academic records, human resources and finance, making them easier to use and more efficient. The project is being developed over the next two years with careful planning, testing and training to support a smooth and successful rollout. Read more about the Banner SaaS project and how it will shape Seton Hall’s digital future.

New this year, the course will launch with an in-person kickoff event on Friday, September 5, 12-2 p.m. in the University Center, Event Lounge. This gathering will bring together the full cohort to connect, collaborate, and start the year with momentum. Lunch will be provided, and you'll meet your fellow faculty participants, reflect on your teaching goals, and preview the engaging journey ahead. 

Register for ACUE's Effective Teaching Practices course by completing an application. Once the application closes, a short add/drop period is available - contact Mary Balkun to be added to or removed from the class before September 10.

DSS and TLTC created a set of short, self-paced online modules to help you better understand and support students with disabilities in your classes. Each module takes about 10 minutes or less and offers practical tips, examples, and strategies you can use right away.

You can complete the modules in any order, revisit them anytime, and use them as a quick reference throughout the semester. Just a few minutes of your time can make a big difference in creating an accessible and inclusive learning environment for all students.

To access the modules:

The modules were designed specifically for faculty and reflect the lived experiences and feedback of students, professors, and disability services professionals on our campus. Questions? Please reach out to your Instructional Design Liaison for more information.

Institutional Repository Exceeds 8 Million Downloads

Seton Hall University’s Institutional Repository is a publishing service for preservation and dissemination of Seton Hall scholarly works which now has more than 8 million downloads. The repository contains Seton Hall theses and dissertations, which have 3.6 million downloads to date.

View current ejournals created by Seton Hall students and faculty. See all downloads in real-time on the eRepository website. Contact erepository@shu.edu with questions or ask how to set up an ejournal.

Yu-An Chen Selected as 2025 Researcher of the Year, Stillman School of Business

Yu-An Chen, Ph.D., Department of Accounting and Taxation, is an accomplished scholar in the field of financial reporting and analysis whose research exemplifies the Stillman School’s mission of transforming concepts into business practice. His recent publications explore the efficacy and implications of financial forecasting practices with direct relevance to investors, analysts and policymakers. His rigorous, practice-oriented research continues to shape both academic discourse and real-world financial analysis.

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.

Upcoming Events

Faculty Opportunities for the 2025-26 Academic Year
The following faculty learning communities are opportunities for engagement as well as personal and professional development. Contact the coordinators about deadline extensions.

Teaching Resources

Scholarship Resources

CFD Podcast: Faculty Matters

Videos

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

Kick Off the Fall Semester with TLTC Workshops 
Gain strategies, tools, and fresh ideas to help you connect with students and create engaging learning experiences. 

Ready Your Courses for Fall 2025 
Merge Your Cross-Listed Courses 
If you haven’t yet requested to combine your cross-listed Canvas course shells, it’s not too late. Submit a Canvas Support ticket under Common Services in the Technology Self-Service Portal. Once merged, students who enroll during the add/drop period will be automatically added to the new cross-listed Team and Canvas course shell. Request a cross-listed course merge. 

Complete the Canvas Start-of-Semester Checklist 
Make sure your course is student-ready with the Canvas Start-of-Semester Checklist. It walks you through importing materials, updating deadlines, and building modules.  Review the checklist. 

Activate Microsoft Teams for Your Courses 
Alongside Canvas course shells, a Microsoft Team has been created for every Fall 2025 course. Using Teams allows you to seamlessly integrate chat and video conferencing features into your classes without having to manually manage membership. Be sure to activate your course’s Team before the semester starts. Browse Microsoft Teams how-to articles. 

Planning Your AI Strategy for the Next Academic Year 
Join the CFD and TLTC for a workshop on Wednesday, August 20, from 9–11 a.m. in Microsoft Teams, where faculty across disciplines will share strategies for addressing AI in the classroom, including how to integrate it into coursework and how to mitigate its impact. Participants will also receive resources and updates on upcoming AI events. Registration is not required; simply click here to join the session. 

2025-26 Academies and Idea Hall Applications Due Sep. 10
Apply for the Academies and Idea Hall programs to receive 1-2 years of seed funding to jumpstart new and innovative ideas. The Academies support faculty in developing interdisciplinary curricula, pursuing interdisciplinary scholarship, or pursuing projects that align with university goals, such as enhancing diversity and inclusion, increasing grant submissions, and expanding graduate programs. The Idea Hall initiative offers funding for administrators and staff to propose collaborative projects that span across multiple divisions (e.g., Finance and Academic Affairs; or Student Services and Athletics). By cultivating cross-divisional partnerships, this initiative hopes to promote innovative ideas that improve student retention, optimize use of facilities, and integrate service learning into the student experience. Visit the Innovation Hub page for more details, or contact Sona Patel at innovation@shu.edu if you have any questions or would like to consult about your application.

Faculty Convocation Reminder
Please join us on Friday, September 12, 2025, at 1 p.m. in the University Center's Event Room for Faculty Convocation. A reception will follow immediately afterward in Bethany Hall. This special event is an excellent opportunity to welcome new faculty to the University and to recognize those being honored for promotion and tenure. Please RSVP using this form and save the date on your calendar. I look forward to seeing you there!