Doc Hop

Cal State Long Beach’s fall semester begins Monday and so do I!

I’ve watched the population around campus steadily increase this week as students began to move into their dorms and bustle into the Target closest my house for groceries and last minute home essentials. The influx of student isn’t noticeable across Long Beach, but if my apartment was any closer to campus it’d be considered student housing, so I’ve noticed a charged shift. I welcome it!

I’ve felt a similar “first day” buzz, as I too jumped in with both feet forward the week, with a faculty meeting, two days of orientation, and a convocation luncheon.

Faculty Retreat: Tuesday, August 20

The first department meeting of the semester kicked off on Tuesday morning. Since it was the first of the academic year, all of the department’s faculty were in attendance, including adjunct professors and lecturers.

We began with introductions and updates, which was a nice way for all of the faculty to touch base before what is sure to be a busy semester. It was also good for me, because I haven’t seen many members of the faculty since my on-campus interview, and many more faces were brand new to me. We also took a faculty group photo, of which I was more than excited to be a part! Here’s to a long career of faculty photos at CSULB! 🥂

I’m not going to get into all the topics discussed at the meeting, but I will say that I was very excited to be a part of a breakout session focused on the department’s diversity plan. I’m very proud to be a part of university and a department where DEI is a priority and a large part of its mission.

After the meeting I was invited to lunch at Tantalum with a few members of the faculty. We were celebrating not just my addition to the team, but another professor’s promotion and tenure, which was REALLY the exciting news! I was incredibly happy for her, and I know that with the support of the department, that will be me before I know it. I’m ready to hit the ground running. The food was really good and the conversation and company was even better. I do not think I’m getting ahead of myself when I say that I can already feel a sense of community building.

Orientation, Day 1: Wednesday, August 21

Orientation spanned two days — Wednesday and Thursday — and both days were jam packed.

The first day was exclusive to tenure-track faculty, of which there were 38 of us, nine in the College of Liberal Arts. Augusta University’s orientation was much larger and far less personal, and at CSULB I very much appreciated the opportunity to actually get to know my cohort and their academic interests.

After enjoying an incredible breakfast buffet, introductions and ice breakers, we got down to business — covering health insurance, retirement, payroll, and the plethora of campus resources available to faculty. I was told that the benefits here were incredible, but I had just no idea how incredible until I dove into the material and started picking my plans. Not only is the school setting me up with a pretty killer pension plan, I’m also paying $0 a month for full health and dental coverage. LET’S GO, collective bargaining!!

The second half of Day One was dedicated to a second-year faculty panel, during which we had the opportunity to hear from those who were in our shoes just last year, and college-specific breakout chats, where I got to know the eight other tenure-track faculty members joining the College of Liberal Arts. This group will become my cohort within the THRIVE program, which helps guide new faculty toward success in their first year at Cal State LB. Everyone I met was super cool and incredibly interesting, so I hope throughout the year we will find opportunities for both friendship and collaboration.

Orientation, Day 2: Thursday, August 22

Day Two of orientation was open to the entire faculty, so it was a bit larger than the first, but not overwhelmingly so. (I did not do a head count, and I am shit as guessing crowd sizes, but I would estimate that we had about 20 more people than we did the first day.) The second day focused on student services and featured a student panel, which allowed us to hear from students in the CSULB school system firsthand. I’m incredibly excited (and a little nervous!) to get to know the students at Long Beach State, so that was definitely a highlight of the second day.

Another highlight was the 45 minutes in which the California Faculty Association spoke toward recruiting new members. CFA is an anti-racism, social justice union of 29,000 professors, lecturers, librarians, counselors, and coaches throughout all 23 branches of the CSU system.

Over the past couple of years the CFA has successfully negotiated salary increases for CSU faculty, ensuring that their pay keeps pace with inflation and cost of living increases. They have also secured equity adjustments to address salary disparities among faculty members, particularly those based on years of service or discipline. Through collective bargaining, the CFA has secured improved working conditions for faculty, including better health and retirement benefits, workload protections, and policies that support work-life balance. And, most importantly, the CFA has been active in promoting social justice and anti-racism initiatives within the CSU system. This includes advocating for curriculum changes, supporting faculty and student diversity, and addressing issues of racial and gender equity on campuses.

And I’m their newest member! I am incredibly excited to join the fight.

Day Two of orientation closed with a tour of the Gerald M. Kline Innovation Space, or ISPACE, as it is commonly known across campus. And let me tell you — this space is COOL. (I wish I would have grabbed a few photos, but I don’t know that I could have properly captured the completeness of it all with my phone alone.)

We toured the  3D Printing and laser cutting lab, interactive Virtual Reality System, the 360°  Theatre, XR Lab , and state of the art podcasting studio — all of which are available to students and faculty, completely free of charge. I’ve been brainstorming ways to take advantage of these resources within my classes. I am more than excited (and a little overwhelmed) to learn more. (Augusta University could NEVER.)

The event closed with an outdoor reception featuring various charcuterie, all sorts of fresh fruits and veggies, small desserts (including the best brownie I have ever had in my entire life), and various wines. The chair of my department was there, and she took the time to introduce me to many other colleagues within and outside of the College of Liberal Arts. I met so many people this week that it’s hard to keep all the names and faces straight, but I’m more than looking forward to getting to know everyone better with time.

Convocation: Friday, August 23

Friday was the convocation luncheon for the College of Liberal Arts, during which the college recognized new hires, recently tenured faculty, and various faculty awards and accomplishments.

The event was easy, breezy, casual and classy — which is absolutely fitting with the California vibe I love. The luncheon took place under a giant, open tent in the center of the quad nearest the Liberal Arts buildings, where there were framed photos of all nine of the college’s new tenure-track hires, myself included, at the entry table. The head of each department took a moment to introduce and recognize each of us for the various accomplishments that brought us to Cal State Long Beach, and looking out at the crowd I was so incredibly gratefully to have finally found and accepted my dream job. (I was also relieved that I did not have to speak.)

Perhaps the highlight of the event for me was when the dean announced a new “common read” program that the College of Liberal Arts is promoting this year. (A common read allows faculty and students to engage in thoughtful discussion based on a shared text and its themes. Think of it as a year-long, college-wide book club.)

This year’s book is Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner of Japanese Breakfast. In the memoir, Zauner reflects on her Korean American upbringing and how food and culture shaped her connection to her mother, who has recently passed. The book delves into the challenges of navigating her dual identity, her mother’s battle with cancer, and the profound sense of loss she feels after her mother’s passing.

There are going to be a number of related events with food and group discussion, and I just LOVE this idea. I’m about halfway through, and I absolutely plan to promote it to my students. I don’t need an excuse to read anything, but this is a great one! I’m also excited because this program has introduced me to a really good book, artist and author that I wouldn’t have picked up otherwise.

Immediately following the convocation luncheon I came home to complete what felt like an ever expanding list of training modules and safety certifications that always come with starting a new job in academia. There were eight or nine in total, covering sexual harassment, FERPA, dangerous chemicals, emergency preparedness, etc. etc. I made it to the end of the list, so I should be good for at least a year.

Next Week: Back to School!

The semester starts tomorrow, and despite the nine-month wait between when I received my offer and now, I can’t believe that the time has already come to begin again! (Time sure does have a way of moving very slowly and then all at once.)

I’ll be teaching News Writing and Ethics on Monday and Wednesday mornings and Research Methods on Monday and Wednesday afternoons. On Tuesdays I have a three-hour design class, and on the first Friday of every month I will meet with my THRIVE cohort to complete various workshops and engage in what I am sure will be many meaningful group discussions about research and teaching.

I sure wish my mom could see me now. She never doubted that I would make it here, but I cannot stop myself from thinking about what that would look and feel like. (The book I’m currently reading is certainly only perpetuating those feelings.)

I will update after my first week. WISH ME LUCK!!

(P.S. I bought myself those flowers you see at the top of this post during my last trip to Trader Joe’s, to celebrate a successful orientation and the first of MANY semesters at The Beach. I deserved them. ❤️ 😊)