AY 2025 Autumn Term New Faculty Development Program (NFDP; September 9 to November 18, 2025)

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

From September to November 2025, the autumn NFDP was held under the direction of Prof. Kei Nasu, CTL Director and FD Director. Ten new faculty members were eligible for the program in total: six who had joined ICU in April 2025 and four who had joined in September 2025. In addition to new faculty, five new staff members joined some of the sessions.

We divided the program into five sections, and a total of eight face-to-face sessions were held. The sessions were organized into the following themes: “Your ICU,” “Your Courses,” “Your Teaching,” “Your Students,” and “Your Community.” The program concluded with a certificate ceremony on the final day.

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 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.

The “Your Students” section consisted of three sessions. In the first session, Mr. Yoshihiko Terashima and Ms. Akari Watanabe, University Counselors, along with Prof. Nozomu Naoi, Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, provided an overview of student support services at ICU and discussed advising strategies for lower-year students.

In the second session, Prof. Fujii, CTL Associate Director, and Learning Accessibility Services (LAS) staff explained student support in ICU. The session also included a discussion on human rights at ICU, joined by Prof. Robert Eskildsen.

In the third session, Prof. Nasu presented the history of academic advising and the Advisor System at ICU, followed by a brief overview of 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.

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.

AY2025 Autumn Term New Faculty Development Program (NFDP)

Face-to-Face Sessions

Part 1: Your ICU

Introduction to ICU by VPAA Eskildsen (September 9)

Part 2: Your Courses

Introducing the College of Liberal Arts, ICU by Prof. Ikoma, CLA Dean (September 16)

Part 3: Your Teaching

Course Design and Management by Prof. Nasu, CTL Director (September 23)
Class Visitation (September 29 - October 3)
Teaching Workshop (October 7)

Part 4: Your Students

Student Support at ICU by Prof. Naoi, Associate CLA Dean, and the Counseling Center (October 21)
Human Rights and Learning Accessibility by Prof. Fujii, CTL Associate Director, LAS Staff, and VPAA Eskildsen (October 28)
Academic Advising and the Graduate School by Prof. Nasu, CTL Director (November 4)

Part 5: Your Community

Christianity and the ICU Community by Prof. Alberg, Director of Religious Center, Rev. Kitanaka, Rev. Yakiyama, and Rev. Johnson (November 11)

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