AY 2024 Autumn Term New Faculty Development Program (NFDP; September 10 to November 5, 2024)

The New Faculty Development Program (NFDP) is an FD program for new faculty members. The program began in 2017 and is now in its eighth year.

From September to November 2024, the autumn NFDP was held under the direction of Prof. Kei Nasu, CTL Director and FD Director. Sixteen new faculty members were eligible for the program in total: fifteen who had joined ICU in April 2024 and one who had joined in September 2024. In addition to new faculty, nine new staff members joined some of the sessions.

We divided the program into five sections, and eight face-to-face sessions were held in total. The sessions were organized into the following themes: “Your ICU,” “Your Courses,” “Your Students,” “Your Teaching,” and “Your Community.”

In the “Your ICU” section, Prof. Robert Eskildsen, Vice President of Academic Affairs, presented the founding of ICU and ICU’s values and mission and discussed the philosophy and principles of ICU.

In the “Your Courses” section, participants learned about different types of courses (including those they teach) in the broader context of ICU's liberal arts curriculum facilitated by Prof. Natsumi Ikoma, Dean, College of Liberal Arts.

The “Your Students” section was conducted over two times. In the former part, Prof. Takashi Kibe, Dean of Students, Prof. Kei Nasu, CTL Director, Mr. Yoshihiko Terashima and Ms. Akari Watanabe, University Counselors, explained about various issues and difficulties our students are facing today.

In the latter part, Prof. Nozomu Naoi, Associate CLA Dean, explained how to advise low-grade students, and Prof. Tsujita, CTL Associate Director, and LAS staff explained about student support in ICU. Participants deepened their understanding through role-plays.

The “Your Teaching” section consisted of three elements: sharing of teaching practices by Prof. Kei Nasu, Class Visitation Week (observation of at least one course), and a workshop. During the workshop, all participants reported on their class visits and exchanged ideas. Proposals were also made for new courses to be offered jointly. In addition, this year, Prof. Sawa Omori, Dean of Graduate School, provided guidance on the graduate school.

Finally, in the “Your Community” section, participants discussed what it means to be a “Christian” university and the beginnings and future of ICU with Prof. Alberg, Director of Religious Center, Rev. Shoko Kitanaka, Rev. Mariko Yakiyama, and Rev. Paul Johnson.

Thank you for this wonderful program. The in-person sections did help me building up relationships with other new faculty members.
[Translated from Japanese by CTL] Thank you very much for this important opportunity. We do not meet with professors from other fields so often, so this was a precious opportunity to be able to interact with the same members on a regular basis. As we become familiar with each other, I am gradually feeling at ease.

As always, the participants received this academic year’s NFDP very well. CTL will continue supporting new faculty so they may have a fulfilling career at ICU.

<AY2024 Autumn Term New Faculty Development Program (NFDP)>

Face-to-Face Sessions

Part 1: Your ICU

Introduction to ICU by VPAA Eskildsen (September 10)

Part 2: Your Courses

Introducing the College of Liberal Arts, ICU by Prof. Ikoma, CLA Dean (September 17)

Part 3: Your Students

Knowing Your Students by Prof. Kibe, Dean of Students, and the Counseling Center (September 24)
Student Support at ICU by Prof. Nasu, CTL Director, Prof. Tsujita, CTL Associate Director, Prof. Naoi, Associate CLA Dean, and LAS staff (October 8)

Part 4: Your Teaching

Introduction & Problem-sharing by Prof. Nasu, CTL Director (October 15)
Class Visitation (October 21–25)
Teaching Workshop (October 29)

Part 5: Your Community

Christianity and the ICU Community by Prof. Alberg, Director of Religious Center, Rev. Kitanaka, Rev. Yakiyama, and Rev. Johnson (November 5)

Online Contents (Offices that provide quizzes are indicated with an asterisk.)

Administrative Affairs Group*
IT Center*
Library*
College of Liberal Arts Group*
Graduate School Group*
Educational Affairs Group*
Personnel Group*
Center for Teaching and Learning and Special Needs Support Services*
Center for Research Planning and Support*
Counselling Center*
Human Rights Consultation