This spring, the Office of the Provost rolled out a new monthly seminar series to support tenured and tenure track faculty on their professional journeys. The Promotion and Tenure (P&T) Seminar series started Jan. 23 with UH’s academic leadership offering an overview of the P&T process .
Seminars are scheduled for 10 a.m. on the MD Anderson Library’s Elizabeth D. Rockwell Pavilion (second floor). Each seminar will address different components of the promotion and tenure process.
Dates and topics for the next P&T events are as follows:
• Feb. 27 – Developing a National and International Reputation
• March 27 – Documenting Excellence in Research, Teaching and Service
• April 10 – Building a Strong Promotion and Tenure Portfolio
• May 1 – Understanding External Arm’s-Length Reviews
“This promotion and tenure series is especially important for tenured and tenure-track faculty because it clarifies the review process and expectations,” said Associate Provost for Faculty Development and Faculty Affairs Jim Briggs.
According to Briggs, participants will gain insights on topics such as identifying and curating external referees, addressing potential negative feedback and understanding which documents and materials are needed during the promotion process.
Associate Provost for Faculty Recruitment and Retention Erika Henderson encourages participants to arrive with questions in mind.
“Coming prepared with questions allows faculty to get more tailored value from each session,” Henderson said.
Attendees are also encouraged to review the promotion and tenure section of the UH Faculty Handbook, reflect on their current career stage — pre-tenure, midcareer or post-tenure — and consider how their work demonstrates leadership and impact within their discipline.
“These seminars are part of a coordinated, ongoing series, and faculty are encouraged to attend multiple sessions across the academic year, even if they are not immediately preparing for promotion or tenure,” Henderson said. “The information builds over time and supports long-term career planning.”
Henderson added that the seminars are intended to complement, not replace, ongoing mentoring or departmental guidance from chairs or peers.
Registration for the seminars is available online. The series is one of several efforts by the Office of the Provost and the Division of Academic Affairs to support faculty development and growth.
“We look forward to engaging with our faculty during these sessions,” Henderson said. “These seminars will provide transparent, consistent guidance on expectations and processes at the University of Houston. Promotion and tenure decisions shape faculty careers, and these seminars help demystify institutional criteria, clarify standards of excellence, and explain how teaching, research and service are evaluated.”
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