New Faculty Application

What’s the role of a UNIV faculty member?

Faculty play a crucial role in helping first-year students succeed at George Mason University in regards to both their academic and social transition.

All Faculty members work as a team with their assigned Peer Advisor to design a syllabus, create lesson plans, and teach course subjects. Peer Advisors are upper-class undergraduate students who go through a multi-tiered, competitive selection process and complete mandatory training designed to prepare them for planning and teaching this specific course.

What does an Ideal Candidate Look Like?

Because of the important role of Faculty, we are seeking candidates who are committed to the success of George Mason University and its student population, interested in assisting first-year students with their transition to college, and serving as a mentor to a Peer Advisor. Specifically, we look for candidates who:

  • Are interested in being a positive role model while helping new students in their transition to college
  • Have the desire and ability to work as a partner with a Peer Advisor
  • Show a positive attitude, flexibility, the willingness to have fun, and have a desire to learn
  • Demonstrate excellent interpersonal communication, public speaking, and listening skills
  • Take initiative and display leadership skills
  • Must have a master’s degree OR have at least 18 credits and actively pursuing the degree
Faculty Training Requirements

Faculty Development Training: new faculty, the development training is designed to provide you with tools you need to succeed in teaching a UNIV 100 course. The New Faculty Training date will take place sometime in May 2024.

Planning Meeting At least ONE planning meeting with Peer Advisor in June or July. The planning meeting should take place well before the fall semester begins.

Discuss expectations and division of class responsibilities

Start to plan syllabus and course schedule

Complete and email Faculty/PA Agreement

All Faculty Meetings (Fall): One per month during the first week of the month. Exact dates TBA

Classroom Observations: New faculty will have one class observation by University Studies staff from mid-September to mid-October. A sign-up for observation times will be made available in September

Mid-Semester One-On-One Meeting: In late October all faculty will have a 30-minute mid-semester check-in meeting

Faculty Job Expectations

UNIVERSITY 100 TEACHING EXPECTATIONS:

  • Co-teach University 100 with a peer advisor (PA); attend all classes
  • Prepare lesson plans (in collaboration with PA)
  • Faculty will abide by the terms of the PA-Faculty Agreement (if applicable)
  • Address specific student concerns in and out of class (via e-mails, phone calls, meetings)
  • Serve as a resource for transition to Mason for students in your class
  • Serve as a liaison between University Studies, peer advisor, and students by sharing communication or events pertinent for the students
  • Complete end-of-year evaluation with University Studies staff
  • Evaluate at least one Campus Partner presentation/guest speaker (form will be provided)

UNIVERSITY 100 PEER ADVISOR MENTORING EXPECTATIONS:

  • Foster a mentoring relationship with peer advisor to include regular meetings, goal setting, feedback and modeling teaching techniques
  • Provide University Studies with a formal, written mid-semester PA evaluation
  • Communicate as needed with University Studies staff regarding PA performance
  • Support and encourage PA professional development

FACULTY REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS:

Must have a master’s degree OR have at least 18 credits and actively pursuing the degree

  • If a current Mason employee, you must have approval from a supervisor
  • Full-time employees can only teach one course during a semester at Mason
  • Wage employees and graduate students must comply with 1500 hours rule
  • Classified non-exempt employees are ineligible to teach
  • If you are a full-time current Mason employee, and you are hired as a UNIV faculty member, if you leave your employment at Mason, per HR policies, you will also have to leave your UNIV faculty position 

COMPENSATION & TIME COMMITMENT:

  • Time commitment includes approximately 5 hours per week for UNIV 100 (including two hours of class time, one-hour meeting with a Peer Advisor and one hour of planning and grading). Additional commitments include New Faculty Training.
  • Complete all required faculty trainings before the semester and attend faculty meetings (please contact the University Studies staff in case of scheduling conflicts).
  • Faculty will be paid according on a bi-monthly basis over the course of each teaching semester. Total pay for the semester is $1275 for faculty in their first 1-3 years of service, and $1500 for faculty with 4+ years of working with University Studies.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact University Studies at univ@gmu.edu