State Mentors for Regional Specialists without campus-based Program Leaders are assigned by the Professional Development Office in consultation with the Regional Director. Depending upon the new faculty members' needs and availability of Regional Trainers, the full eight days may be applied to an assignment with one or two Regional Trainers. All employees are expected to participate in core-competency professional development during the first two years of employment. Such seminars are scheduled twice annually. The purpose is to review and discuss the history and philosophy of extension, fundamental program development principles, and the University Outreach and Extension program development model.
Some sessions focus on organizational roles, relationships and funding.
Time is devoted to networking among new faculty, dialogue with administrators, and working with diverse audiences. In addition to the Orientation Seminar, all new employees must enroll in the Community Development Academy within their first year of employment. This committee is chaired by the Director of Field Operations. Efforts are made to arrange such visits in small groups on a schedule agreeable to campus outreach and extension administrators. Efforts are made to allow campus faculty to spend a portion of their orientation period in the field.