Welcome Week 2025 — 8/18 to 8/22

Kick-Off Breakfast

Start the 2025–26 academic year on a high note! All faculty and staff are invited to a celebratory breakfast reception in Pioneer Circle. Come connect with colleagues, enjoy great food, and gear up for an exciting year ahead.

Fall Assembly

Get inspired for the year to come! Join your colleagues for a high-energy convening featuring bold visioning and key updates from Texas Woman’s leadership.

As you enter the performance hall, pick up the 2025-26 Annual Report for your chance to find one of the “golden tickets” redeemable for a door prize. This year's prizes include:

• 5 gift cards for $50 in campus dining dollars
• 1 $100 gift card to the bookstore (in its brand new Brackenridge location)
• 1 Apple Watch Series 10

Other notes for Fall Assembly

• ASL interpretation available at house left (stage right) with reserved seating nearby
• Spanish interpretation via headset (pick up near the Margo Jones Hall entrance)
• Free parking in Oakland Complex garage, Levels 2–4
• Chartered bus service from Dallas and Houston campuses (RSVP by August 1, 2025)

Watch the Fall Assembly livestream

Staff Council Retreat

The Staff Council Retreat is on Monday, August 18, 2025, from 1:00 to 2:00 PM in ACT 502, immediately following our co-hosting the Finance & Administration Fall Welcome - Staff Luncheon in ACT 2 Lobby at 12 pm. 

Our in-person Welcome Week gathering offers all FY 2025–2026 Staff Council representatives an exceptional opportunity to enjoy lunch together and share in meaningful conversations that set the tone for a successful year.

New members will receive their official Staff Council t-shirts, and the team will participate in a lighthearted icebreaker activity to build camaraderie and foster stronger working relationships, with an energizing kickoff to the Council’s year of service and collaboration.

Faculty & Staff Headshots

Faculty and staff are invited to drop in to the Student Union at Hubbard Hall Performance Center & Vendor Spaces on the first floor to have a university headshot made. Please allow 4 weeks for editing to download your preferred digital image for free from the university’s photo storage website. If you have any issues with downloading, please email Leo Gonzalez.

Faculty Ice Cream Social

The Faculty Senate is thrilled to invite you to the annual Ice Cream Social at the Jane Nelson Institute for Women’s Leadership in Old Main.  This event is open to all faculty members, and we encourage everyone to join us!  Even if ice cream isn’t your favorite, we’d still love to see you there.  This is a unique opportunity to connect with colleagues across different departments and schools, fostering a strong professional network.  Mark your calendars for a delightful time with ice cream and engaging conversations.  We look forward to seeing you at our Ice Cream Social! Don't miss this chance to connect with your colleagues and kick off the academic year in a sweet way.

Student Events

Dear Faculty and Staff,

The beginning of a new academic year brings the anticipation of welcoming incoming students. Welcome activities are crucial for helping our students feel welcomed, connected, and supported as they begin their college journey.  And research has told us that student involvement is key to creating a positive and successful experience for new students. In addition, positive interactions with faculty early on can significantly impact student success, engagement, and retention. These interactions help build rapport, foster student engagement, and create a sense of community that is vital for student success.  With that in mind, please feel free to join us for these activities.

Please view our website to learn more about our student engagement and activities. 

-Dr. Mendez-Grant

Donuts & Degrees

This event supports TWU's goals of fostering a connected internal alumni network and promoting institutional pride. It demonstrates appreciation for those who've chosen to return and serve TWU professionally and invites informal pathways into deeper alumni engagement and volunteer opportunities. 

Faculty & Staff Headshots

Faculty and staff are invited to drop in to the Student Union at Hubbard Hall Performance Center & Vendor Spaces on the first floor to have a university headshot made. Please allow 4 weeks for editing to download your preferred digital image for free from the university’s photo storage website. If you have any issues with downloading, please email Leo Gonzalez.

Teaching & Learning Symposium (TLS)

The Center for Faculty Success invites the TWU community to the annual Teaching and Learning Symposium. This half-day event will be held in Southwest Ballroom B of Hubbard Hall on Wednesday, August 20th from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. The symposium will feature in-person digital poster presentations. Check-in will begin at 8:30 am outside of the Southwest Ballroom. The symposium will begin at 9:00 am and end with lunch and conversation time at 11:30. All are welcome to attend. 

In order for us to have an accurate head count for lunch, please click here to register. 

New Faculty Orientation

New Faculty Orientation will continue throughout the academic year to provide ongoing training, support, and resources designed to propel our New Faculty toward long-term success.

The first meeting will be held during Welcome Week, and new full-time faculty (tenure-track, clinical, and lecturers) will receive personalized invitations with meeting details. If you need more information or do not receive an invitation, please contact Brachan Thompson at 940.898.3232 or reach out to the Center for Faculty Success at 940.898.3500.

Faculty Open House at Blagg-Huey Library

Join us from 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm for a special Faculty Open House at the Blagg-Huey Library!  Explore newly updated spaces, connect with library staff, and discover how our departments can support your teaching, research, and student success. From instructional support and OER grant opportunities to research databases and more, this is a great chance to learn how we can collaborate. Enjoy light refreshments and pick up some exclusive Faculty SWAG during this casual and informative event. We look forward to welcoming you!

First Year Convocation

This event kicks off the academic year for incoming students new to a four-year university with some inspiration for success and insights into our particular traditions. Faculty and staff are encouraged to join the audience and meet a new student. Such interactions can make an impactful difference in success outcomes for new students.  For more information, please contact the Dean of Student Office at 940.898.3652.

Budget Forum

The Provost will be hosting a budget forum in ASSC 259 and on Zoom. Our purpose is to educate on the institutional budget from an Academic perspective.  We look forward to learning together.

New Leadership Meet & Greet

Please stop by the first floor lobby in ASSC to meet our newest academic leaders. Light refreshments will be provided.

Block Party & Volunteer Sign Up

Student Life invites faculty and staff to meet new students in a fun, student-focused annual tradition aimed at easing the on-campus transition and building participants' identity as a TWU Pioneer. Enjoy food and music, connect with students, and be a part of their connection to each other and Denton community resources.

For $10.47 each, departments have the opportunity to purchase wristbands for their staff members. If your department would like to purchase food wristbands for your staff members, please complete this form by 5 pm on Friday, August 15th. Participants will receive a wristband that can be used at all food stations. Wristbands will be available for pick up from the Student Union at Hubbard Hall Information Desk starting Wednesday, August 20th.

Block Party 2025 – Staff Food Wristband Order Form 

We need your help to make this event a success! All volunteers will receive a food wristband to use at the event as well as a Block Party themed shirt.

Block Party Volunteer Sign Up