The center supports faculty in advancing professional and scholarly careers

In a cozy room on the main floor of Collins Memorial Library stocked with snacks and books on professional development, and furnished with indoor plants and comfortable couches, a group of professors is gathered to learn and share strategies for navigating the emotional impact of supporting students in crisis. This isn’t just a run-of-the-mill professional development course. It’s intentionally-curated programming offered by the Faculty Development Center (FDC), a new initiative by the University of Puget Sound to support faculty as teachers, scholars, leaders, and people.

“The mission is to support faculty throughout their time at Puget Sound,” says Erin Colbert-White, associate professor of psychology and inaugural director of the FDC. “That’s going to look different for people in different disciplines and different phases of their career, but our goal is to come alongside them and help them move towards their personal and professional goals—whatever they may be.”