The Provost's Collaboratory

In alignment with UMD's Strategic Plan, Fearlessly Forward, and its commitment to Investing in People and Communities, the mission of the ADVANCE Program is to support the recruitment, retention, advancement, and professional growth of a diverse and thriving faculty. Our vision is to create an academic work environment where all faculty thrive.

The Center for Community Engagement facilitates mutually beneficial campus-community partnerships that support community-centered research, teaching, and service. The Center supports instructors and researchers in developing community-engaged approaches centered on relationship, trust, and reciprocity; connects with communities in College Park, Prince George's County, Maryland and beyond for meaningful and responsive collaboration; inspires a campus-wide culture of social impact by expanding engagement opportunities across all colleges, schools, and units; and documents the university's work in and alongside community to celebrate and amplify engagement and impact.

CLOC is a group of organizational development and leadership consultants and coaches who come from various disciplines and backgrounds. CLOC serves all administrative and academic units on campus and partners with external agencies and organizations.

The Office of Faculty Affairs (OFA) oversees tenure and promotion processes, including promotion for Librarian Faculty, Professional-Track Faculty, and other faculty appointments. The office supports all aspects of the faculty experience on campus from recruitment through retirement with particular attention to recognition, information sharing, mentoring, reporting, and the development of policies and procedures. OFA hosts discussions on topics relevant to faculty life and career development; holds an annual orientation for new faculty members, and helps keep the faculty informed about events, policies, and opportunities. 

The Office of Faculty Affairs (OFA) participates in the Big Ten Academic Alliance Leadership Institute programs, which include the Academic Leadership Program (ALP) for faculty members interested in learning about academic leadership, the Department Executive Officer program (DEO), which builds skills and resilience for chairs and other unit heads, and the Dean's Leadership Program (DLP), which offers leadership development for new deans.  These programs include activities on campus, at other campuses in the Big Ten, and at the Big Ten Center.  In addition, OFA offers the cohort programs Fearless Unit Leadership to new chairs and Fearless Leadership foundations for faculty members (TTK and PTK) taking on leadership roles for the first time.

The Teaching & Learning Transformation Center (TLTC) helps faculty design engaging, inclusive, and evidence-based courses. Through consultations, workshops, and learning communities, the TLTC supports instructors in refining pedagogy, integrating technology, and assessing learning effectively. The Center partners with colleges and departments across campus to advance teaching excellence and student success. 

UMDRFA hosts seminars led by retired faculty members on topics of broad academic and cultural interest, as well as presentations focused on retirement planning, health, and enlightened aging.  All are open to the university and are typically on Zoom. This organization also publishes The Silver Terp, a newsletter featuring campus updates, retiree "Latest Chapters," and opportunities for involvement. In addition, the Association sponsors campus events and special interest groups that help retired faculty members stay connected, active, and engaged with the life of the University.