The Springboard at SMU

Welcome to the SMU faculty community – we are so glad you are here!

We are committed to providing you with a supportive environment through The Springboard, a faculty success program that can help lay the foundation for a successful and fulfilling career at SMU. The Springboard offers a series of programming tailored to faculty, specifically those who are new to SMU.

Early career faculty navigate a lot in their first years, including balancing new responsibilities around teaching and scholarly/creative excellence, often while juggling transitions to new cities and developing connections to new colleagues. The Springboard is a semester-long, cohort-based program that is specifically tailored to all faculty who are new to SMU.

What does the program offer?

  • Four breakfast gatherings over the course of the year. On Fridays from 9:00 until 10:00am, you will gather for breakfast on the SMU campus for facilitated conversation about topics focused on successful faculty life.
  • Meeting faculty across campus. Not only will you join peers outside your home department, but senior faculty from around campus will join as guest speakers throughout the semester to talk about their experiences and invite your ideas and input.

How do I participate?

We welcome all new faculty of all ranks and foci who have recently joined the SMU community. Simply RSVP to the topics that interest you by using the calendar links below.

Schedule of 2026-2027 Events

The 2026-2027 workshop sessions will take place on the following Fridays from 9:— until 10:00am in the Dedman College Interdisciplinary Institute (DCII) Lounge, in Gerald J. Ford Hall (first floor). Breakfast will be served.

  • October 16:
    • Presented by SMU Intersessions
  • November 13:
    • Presented by the Center for Teaching Excellence
  • February 5:
    • Presented by Deputy Provost Paige Ware
  • April 2:
    • Presented by Director of Faculty Awards Brenna Rivas

Where can I learn more?

Email facultysuccess@smu.edu to learn more about the program and to address any questions you may have.