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�鶹Ƶ��University this month formally joined the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (NCFDD), a membership-only organization that gives faculty, graduate and postdoctoral scholars access to tools and services designed to enhance productivity and career success.

Founded in 2010, the NCFDD is an independent professional development, training and mentoring institute serving scholars at more than 450 colleges and universities nationwide. With 120 institutional members at its core, the center focuses on skills development and support in areas relating to strategic career planning, research productivity, network building and work-life balance.

“This program is a great opportunity for �鶹Ƶ��University faculty to tap into a national network of support around mutual aspirations, challenges, and opportunities,” says Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs LaVonda Reed. “The tools and services to which we have access as a member of the NCFDD will be an asset both to faculty individually and to the University as a whole.”

While the program is designed for all faculty across all disciplines, Reed says that having access to a broad, and broadly diverse, network of support will be particularly helpful to faculty of color and those from other traditionally underrepresented groups.

Among other services, members can participate in guest-expert webinars, multi-week courses, a dissertation-success program, a writing challenge and a weekly informational and motivational email message.

Faculty interested in learning more about the NCFDD and its services, or who want to activate their membership, should go to the NCFDD website at and choose “Activate my membership.”

For questions specifically relating to �鶹Ƶ��University’s membership, contact Marie Garland, executive director of faculty development, Office of Academic Affairs, at mgarland@syr.edu.