Fall First Week

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Fall First Week: August 17–21, 2026

The eighth annual Fall First Week provides time for colleges and schools to meet, engage with campus resources, and learn from one another’s expertise as we prepare for the academic year ahead.

Schedule of Events (in progress)

	New faculty events
	All faculty required events
	Faculty and staff optional events
	Student focused events
	Events by invitation

Monday, August 17, 2026

FACULTY CONTRACTS BEGIN

PD Workshop: Digital Accessibility Tools Presenter: Susan Rayborn

Join Susan Rayborn as she walks us through the tools we have available in Canvas, Word, and other programs to make our course content more accessible to students and compliant with the new Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.

11:00 am-12 pm

International Center 319, Teams

School Meetings (Option 1)

• School of Biological, Environmental and Earth Sciences (WSB 120)
• School of Construction and Design (TEC 116)
• School of Education (OMH 102)
• School of Health Professions (EHH 248)
• School of Human Development and Family Science (JGH 244)
• School of Kinesiology and Nutrition (JGH 117)
• School of Leadership and Advanced Nursing (Asbury 317BB)
• School of Library and Information Science (FGH 114)
• School of Performing and Visual Arts (Hartwig Theatre)
• School of Social Work (JGH 243)

1:00-3:00 pm

Tuesday, August 18, 2026

University Convocation	9:00-10:00 am	Bennett Auditorium
College of Arts and Sciences Meeting	10:15-11:15 am	Bennett Auditorium
College of of Business and Economic Development Meeting	10:30 am-12:30 pm lunch provided	McDonnel Auditorium (SCH 1003)
College of Nursing and Health Professions meeting	10:30-11:30 am	Asbury Hall 124
School Meetings • School of Accountancy (1:00-2:30pm) • School of Finance (1:00-2:30pm) • School of Leadership (1:00-2:30pm) • School of Management (SH 3021) (2:00-3:000pm) • School of Marketing (1:30-3:00pm)
College of Education and Human Sciences Meeting	3:00-4:00 pm Meeting 4:00-5:30 pm Social at Touchdown Club	Joe Paul Theatre
International Student Orientation	8:00 am-5:00 pm

Wednesday, August 19, 2026

Update Your Headshot	10:00 am–12:00 pm	Liberal Arts Building 2nd Floor
PD Workshop: The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines with the Office of General Counsel USM must be in compliance with the new Web Content Accessibility Guidelines by April 26, 2027. In this session, The Office of General Counsel will walk us through these new guidelines and how it will affect our course preparation.	9:30-10:30 am	Elizabeth Harkins Hall 120
PD Workshop 3: Mentorship Presenter: Ashley Allen This session will discuss faculty mentorship practices at USM. Participation is recommended for new peer and senior mentors, as well as new faculty members.	10:45 am-11:45 am	Elizabeth Harkins Hall 120
New Faculty and Mentor Luncheon	12:00-1:15 pm	Elizabeth Harkins Hall 120
School Meetings (Option 2) • School of Humanities (LAB 101) • School of Media and Communication • School of Music (Intermezzo) • School of Ocean Science and Engineering (NAB 102, Gulf Park Campus) • School of Psychology (OMH 227) • School of Social Science and Global Studies (LAB 109) • School of Speech & Hearing Sciences (JBG 204)	1:00-3:00 pm

Thursday, August 20, 2026

ACUE Effective Teaching 101 Orientation	9:00 am-9:45 am	Elizabeth Harkins Hall 120
School Meetings (Option 3) • Center for STEM Education • School of Computing Sciences and Computer Engineering (TEC 205) • School of Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, and Security (CJB 141) • School of Interdisciplinary Studies & Professional Development (ISPD Conference room) • School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (TEC 106) • School of Music (Intermezzo) • School of Performing and Visual Arts (Hartwig Theatre) • School of Polymer Science and Engineering (PSRC 201) • School of Professional Nursing Practice (Asbury Hall 116)	10:00 am-12:00 pm
ACUE Sponsored Lunch and Learn: What is Deliberative Dialogue?	12:00 pm-1:00 pm	Elizabeth Harkins Hall 120
ACUE Sponsored Workshop: Deliberative Dialogue in Action	1:30 pm-3:30 pm	Elizabeth Harkins Hall 120

Friday, August 21, 2026

ACUE Orientation - Effective Teaching 101	9:00-9:45am	International Center 319
Faculty Senate Retreat	10:00am-2:00pm	Elizabeth Harkins Hall 120
ACUE Celebration	2:30-3:30 pm	TouchDown Club
Faculty and Staff Social	3:30-5:00 pm	TouchDown Club

Questions? Email cfdFREEMississippi.%C2%A0