During my listening tour with the campus community last year, I always started out by asking the room, “What makes you most proud to be associated with TU?” Overwhelmingly, I was told, “the people.”

Thanks to our outstanding faculty and staff, TU is recognized as one of America’s leading public universities. Supporting our community of dedicated professionals is integral to TU’s sustained success.

This is why, based on listening tour feedback and in consultation with our TU leadership team, we identified a presidential priority centered around our faculty and staff: Cultivating a Culture of Pride, Performance & Well-Being.

I am proud to share some of the ongoing initiatives that already have begun to support this priority:

  • Developed an enhanced annual staff performance review process that we will pilot soon and anticipate implementing later this year.
  • Initiated a 12-month pilot program in August to evaluate a revised telework policy and best practices.
  • Created a dedicated webpage for faculty to access resources for well-being.
  • Launched the “Essentials for Supervisors” course that provides tools and resources for new supervisors to be more effective in their roles. The first cohort included 12 individuals from seven different divisions.
  • Following an assessment of faculty titles, “lecturers” will now be designated, with rank, as “teaching professors” beginning next fall.
  • Coming soon: an employee engagement survey designed to assess the current campus culture, helping us identify what we are doing well and areas of opportunity for how we can be even better.

Sincerely,

Mark R. Ginsberg, Ph.D.
President

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Opportunities for Engagement

This week, we hosted the first of our “Fireside Chats” series, where I talk with members of our TU community about issues of interest, concern and importance to you. This is in addition to my regular "Office Hours" and “Lunch with Mark” opportunities for engagement.

More about opportunities to engage.

Graphic logo for the 2025 faculty and staff recognition event

Celebrating Employee Excellence

At our annual employee recognition event, we honor colleagues celebrating service-year milestones ranging from five to 45 years, winners of the USM Board of Regents awards, and those who serve as exemplars for advancing inclusive excellence at TU.

More about the event.

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"On the Mark"

In the inaugural episode of my new podcast “On the Mark,” I talk with Sam Collins, Ph.D., a professor of anthropology who is helping to lead TU’s interdisciplinary AI education. Listen to our conversation about AI and what it means for higher education. 

Listen now.

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Did You Know?: Tiger Tuesdays

We’re building pride with Tiger Tuesdays. Join me in showing your TU spirit by wearing your black and gold every Tuesday. You can also share your pride on social media using #TigerTUesday.