Faculty Success

At Palo Alto University, we are committed to the success and well-being of our faculty. Their dedication, expertise, and passion drive our mission to improve lives through education and research in mental health. We believe that a thriving faculty is the cornerstone of transformative education, innovative scholarship, and impactful service. Our support extends to every aspect of their professional journey, from teaching and research to service and leadership. Through our dedicated Department of Faculty Success, we are here to support faculty in achieving their professional and personal goals, embodying the University mission, and making a lasting difference in the PAU community.

The Department of Faculty Success (DFS), established in July 2022 and led by Dr. Stephanie Storms, Assistant Provost of Faculty Affairs, Faculty Development, and Diversity, is dedicated to nurturing faculty excellence and well-being. DFS provides comprehensive support through our oversight of the Center for Educational Excellence (CEE) and Research Administration. Whether faculty need assistance with securing grant funding, enhancing their teaching practices, or navigating the tenure and promotion process, our department is here to advocate for them and celebrate their achievements. DFS strives to ensure our faculty have the resources and support they need to thrive, creating an inclusive, compassionate, and collaborative environment that empowers our faculty to excel.

Through these areas and various initiatives, we endeavor to create an environment where faculty can flourish professionally and personally while embodying PAU's mission.

Our commitment to faculty success is guided by the following vision and mission:

Vision Statement 

A faculty that embodies inclusive excellence and is passionate about transformative teaching, innovative scholarship, collaborative service, and compassionate leadership in alignment with their personal well-being and the PAU mission. 

Mission Statement 

 The Department of Faculty Success advocates and supports PAU faculty as they strive to reach their professional and personal goals, embody the University mission, and transform the lives of the PAU community. To this end, our department:

• Collaborates with the PAU community to design equitable and inclusive educational development that enhances teaching, scholarship, and service
• Engages faculty in onboarding and mentoring for career advancement throughout their tenure at PAU
• Supports faculty throughout the pre and post-award extramural grant funding and contract process  
• Partners with search committees to improve recruitment practices and increase diversity in faculty hiring
• Celebrates and promotes faculty excellence
• Guides faculty through the review, tenure, promotion, and sabbatical process
• Fosters a responsive, compassionate, and welcoming environment for the PAU faculty. 

The Department of Faculty Success is here to support faculty throughout their career at PAU, from onboarding and mentoring to promotion and sabbatical processes. The Department of Faculty Success is dedicated to fostering a responsive, compassionate, and welcoming environment where faculty can achieve their goals and make a lasting impact on our community.