Faculty Support

Eastern’s faculty have access to several AAUP-related grant funds that can be used for professional development, to support travel to conferences, research planning and implementation. Review of these internal grant proposals is overseen by the University Senate’s Faculty Development Committee. Every year, faculty can apply for reassigned time for research for Fall or Spring semester of the next academic year.

An overview of most of the internal grant funding available to faculty can be viewed in the Academic Affairs webpage.  If you have self-identified as a minority faculty member, you can also apply for Minority Recruitment and Retention Committee funds, administered by the committee that reports to the Office of Equity and Diversity.

Every year, from August 25 to the next year’s August 23, faculty can obtain up to $1500 in AAUP travel funds for attending or presenting at conferences or workshops, by applying to the Dean’s office in early August, prior to the upcoming academic year. Summer Curriculum Development grants are also available through the Dean’s Office. Applications are solicited annually in early March.

Other academic program enhancement internal grant funding may become available as Eastern works on initiatives for improving student retention from first year program through the Liberal Arts Curriculum and into the academic majors.

We encourage you to work with Eastern’s Grant Officer, Christine Jeffers (jeffersch@easternct.edu) to find out external grant funding opportunities for your research and educational outreach projects. Her office is located in the Academic Affairs area, second floor in Gelsi-Young Hall (x50394).

Student Support

You are welcome at the Dean’s Office at any time for answers to the many questions that may come up as you enter the university! Any forms you may need to fill out and take to the Dean’s Office for signatures, are always available online or at the location of either the Office of the Registrar or the Advising Center.

Incoming first year students undergo a two-day summer orientation program (SOAR) that provides them with an overview to the many policies, services and opportunities available to them on campus. Students meet their deans and their chosen major’s faculty prior to the start of the academic year, at SOAR sessions and at the Eastern Warrior Welcome day of events just before classes start.

During the academic year, Eastern’s students have access to advising, writing support, mathematics coaching, and tutoring support in a variety of subjects at the Academic Services Center, located on the first floor of the Eugene L. Smith Library.

Students often visit with the Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences for coaching on choosing the most appropriate major tailored to their evolving career plans, or for developing self-designed interdisciplinary majors that are targeted to trending careers (see Individualized Major). Overall career development and internship options information can be obtained at the Office of Internships and Career Development in Wood Hall, top floor.

Lastly, to make the most of the Eastern student support experience make sure you visit the Center for Community Engagement at the corner of Windham St. Extension and Prospect St., where you will find a myriad of opportunities to put your great liberal arts education skills to help make a difference in the many Windham community schools and organizations.