The Office of Faculty Affairs is here to support you in your professional growth at KU. Additionally, several other KU offices provide professional and personal support through numerous trainings, services, and events centered on your success and wellness. Our Faculty Relations website is a good place to start when exploring such resources from Human Resources, KU Ombuds, and the Office of Civil Rights & Title IX. 

Employee wellness

Housed within Human Resources, the Employee Wellness office offers numerous resources for your physical and mental health wellness. One of their most popular events is the KU Employee Wellness fair, where you can make connections not only across your KU community, but also with the greater Lawrence community on all things wellness. You might also consider becoming a wellness ambassador for your unit or participating in the Crops to Campus program! The best way to stay up-to-date on all this and more is through the Employee Wellness newsletter.

All things faculty

As a faculty member at KU, we know there is a lot to keep up with. Fortunately, the Office of Faculty Affairs delivers the latest and most important updates directly to your inbox on the first Wednesday of every month through our monthly updates newsletter. Here you will find relevant information to your role at KU, timely faculty policy updates, upcoming professional development opportunities, faculty events, calls, and programming details. Twice a semester, we will update you on faculty programming relevant to your development in your role. Additionally, New and Early Career faculty also receive a newsletter three times a month, where we highlight resources and events just for you. 

New Faculty Orientation is just 5 days away! We have been preparing all summer for this event and hope it is beneficial to you, as you will have the chance to meet with peers, campus leaders, and partners to learn the ins and outs of KU. If you RSVP'd, you should have received an Outlook invitation for the day — please let us know if you need the invitation resent. In addition, for those of you interested in coffee, donuts, and a guided tour following New Faculty Orientation, you should have received information on our Coffee and Campus Tour taking place Wednesday, August 19.

If you have any lingering questions at all about New Faculty Orientation, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at facultyaffairs@ku.edu. 

What is Mass Street?

Massachusetts Street (referred to by locals as “Mass Street”) is the main street that runs through Downtown Lawrence. The 600 – 1200 blocks of Mass Street are listed on the National Register of Historic Places under Lawrence’s Historical District. You can find dining, shopping, entertainment, and more on this bustling downtown street!

If you haven't had a chance to enjoy Mass Street yet, be sure to check it out when you are here for New Faculty Orientation. You can see what's happening downtown at explorelawrence.com. And be sure to pick up a copy of the Lawrence Visitor's Guide during New Faculty Orientation!

Have questions before the semester begins? Get a head start with our "How to at KU" sessions.

All summer Drop-In and OFA "How to at KU" sessions are virtual and will feature an expert(s) on the topic who is available to answer any questions you might have and help you get started in planning for your fall semester.

Need to connect to Zoom through your KU account? Visit here. 

If you are interested in our upcoming "How to at KU" sessions, please register ahead of time so we can prepare! Our summer How to series will help you become an expert at Canvas, our online learning management system, and make sure your courses are set up with accessibility in mind.

Upcoming Fall "How to at KU" sessions:

Tuesday, Oct. 13 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. (CST)

How to at KU: Faculty Insight walkthrough

Tuesday, Nov. 10 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. (CST) 

How to at KU: Annual Evaluations & Setting Goals for What's Ahead

Tuesday, Dec. 8 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. (CST)

How to at KU: Faculty Insight walkthrough

Faculty Learning Circle: New Faculty Mentor Groups

Keep your connections from New Faculty Orientation and build new ones during New Faculty Mentor Groups. Each mentor group meets over three sessions during the fall semester and provides a space for new faculty to connect and share their experiences in a supportive community setting. Groups are open to any faculty member beginning their career at KU in calendar year 2026. 

Faculty Learning Circle: Academic Productivity - Balancing Time to Get Things Done

Over several sessions throughout the semester, we will explore a productivity framework that supports behaviors that allow us to engage more effectively with our tasks and commitments, create more mental space, and focus on what matters most. Join Dr. Marilu Goodyear, Associate Professor in the School of Public Affairs and Administration and Coach for David Allen's: Getting Things Done, who will facilitate each of the FLC sessions and provide optional coaching sessions that will support you in applying the framework and concepts. 

The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university’s programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and procedures and is the Title IX Coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX, civilrights@ku.edu, Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY. Reports can be submitted by contacting the Title IX Coordinator as provided herein or online and complaints can be submitted with the Title IX Coordinator or online.

© The University of Kansas. 2025.