New faculty members join KU Lawrence and Edwards campuses

LAWRENCE — The Office of Faculty Affairs welcomed new University of Kansas faculty to KU on Aug. 11 and 12 during New Faculty Orientation. This year’s cohort includes representatives from all 12 academic units across the Lawrence and Edwards campuses as well as the KU Life Span Institute.  

“This year, we are excited to welcome more than 90 new faculty to KU,” said Amy Mendenhall, vice provost for faculty affairs. “New Faculty Orientation, our kickoff event for the academic year, provides faculty with the opportunity to connect with campus partners and each other while beginning their careers at KU.”   

Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Barbara A. Bichelmeyer closed out the first day, while Chancellor Douglas A. Girod opened the second day’s session. Both offered advice for involvement and belonging within a faculty member’s first year at KU. An optional coffee and campus tour was offered Aug. 13 for new faculty to further explore the KU’s Lawrence campus. This year’s tour was led by retired KU faculty and staff. 

“This is the first year that we have expanded New Faculty Orientation to a two-day program. We know there is so much to take in and learn as a new faculty member, and we were excited to create more time for learning from campus partners and more space for making important connections,” said Mary Banwart, associate vice provost for faculty development, mentoring & growth. “And, we wanted new faculty to start their orientation week with a strong sense of community, whether that developed through meeting their new faculty colleagues, connecting with campus leaders, chatting with a tour guide or even snapping a photograph with Big Jay, who visited at the end of our second day.” 

This upcoming fall and spring, the Office of Faculty Affairs will host Early Career Faculty Foundation events, featuring topics such as research and discovery, instruction and innovation, career development, student wellness and support, and personal development and mentoring. Additionally, virtual “OFA’s How to at KU” events will be offered on specific technical topics to help early career faculty acclimate to the tools and resources available to them.  

A list of 2025-2026 new faculty, along with Early Career events, can be found on the Office of Faculty Affairs’ new faculty page.