To assist new faculty as they transition to the U of A, the Office for Faculty Affairs and UA Engage offers the Bridge Program. This program provides mentorship and onboarding resources to new faculty by using best practices and an innovative and comprehensive teams-based approach. The Bridge Program also allows new faculty to network with other new faculty across departments and schools. 

The Bridge Program is only offered in the fall semester and transitions into the Beginning Investigator Research Development Support Program (BIRDS) in the spring semester. The Bridge Program includes seven workshops held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the following dates: 

• Sept. 14 — Introduction to Bridge, BIRDS & Teaching Resources
• Sept. 28 — Transitioning into a Faculty Role
• Oct. 12 — Mentoring Undergraduate & Graduate Students
• Oct. 26 — Grant Writing & Publishing
• Nov. 7 — Tenure & Promotion - Non-Tenure Track Faculty
• Nov. 9 — Tenure & Promotion - Tenure Track Faculty
• Dec. 7 — Transition from BRIDGE to BIRDS (Beginning Investigator Research Development Support) 

New faculty who are interested in participating in this program can indicate their interest to their department leader and complete this form by 5 p.m. Aug. 30. Space is limited, and priority enrollment will be given to those able to attend all seven sessions. Selected participants will be informed by Sept. 7.   

Please download this flyer and share this opportunity with your colleagues. For more information, contact facdev@uark.edu or visit the UA Engage website.