Faculty Initiatives for Research, Service & Teaching (FIRST)
MSU FIRST organizes professional development programs for faculty. Historically, this began as work focused on women faculty in STEM, but it expanded to all faculty over time. We welcome faculty to sign up for our mentoring circles, writing retreat, or to attend our workshop series. MSU FIRST is funded by the Office of the Provost and overseen by Maeve McCarthy, msu.first@murraystate.edu.
Mentoring Circles
MSU FIRST Mentoring Circles have existed since 2016. Led by senior faculty members, these peer- mentoring circles are designed for faculty to engage in discussion of workplace issues that come up for faculty at MSU. Each circle meets 10 times a year and allows faculty to develop connections across campus. The mentoring circles are coordinated by Traci Byrd, tbyrd@murraystate.edu.
Writing Retreat
The MSU FIRST Writing Retreat began online in 2020 but has met in-person since. By providing a dedicated week for writing, we afford MSU faculty the opportunity to focus on the scholarly activity exclusively and make significant progress towards their professional goals. The writing retreat is coordinated by AJ Boston, aboston@murraystate.edu.
MSU FIRST Advocate Team
The Advocate Team was formed in 2024 and consists of faculty interested in improving the status of faculty on campus. The Advocate Team is led by Brian Bourke, bbourke@murraystate.edu.
Advisory Board
Overseeing MSU FIRST activities, the board meets once a semester to ensure that activities are serving MSU faculty as effectively as possible.