Cheese & Wine Tasting Welcomes New Faculty & Staff

VALDOSTA -- New Valdosta State University faculty and staff members are invited to “mix and mingle” at the Cheese and Wine Tasting on Tuesday, Oct. 11 at 6 p.m. in the Student Union Ballroom.

The event will allow new VSU employees to fellowship and connect with other newcomers in a social setting. The Cheese and Wine Tasting is part of the New Faculty Series, a collaboration between the Office of Social Equity and the Office of Academic Affairs. The purpose of the series is to provide new employees with opportunities to network with new and established faculty, staff and administrators.

“Recruitment doesn’t end on a new faculty member’s first day on campus,” said Dr. Maggie Viverette, director of the Office of Social Equity. “It is an ongoing process. It requires the entire campus community to convey the message that VSU is a place that they want and need to be and that the VSU culture is a supportive, welcoming, and accepting one. Newly recruited faculty who feel valued and supported in their environment communicate those perspectives to others and aid the institution in recruiting other faculty. As a result, a successful recruitment process can generate future opportunities for the recruitment of additional faculty."

The New Faculty Series began with a reception on Sept. 14 in the Student Union Heritage Room. During the reception, participating employees met current and former faculty and staff excellence award winners as well as veteran faculty members and department chairs.

The series will conclude with a cooking class on Nov. 10 at 6 p.m. in the University Center Cypress Room.

For more information about the Cheese and Wine Tasting or New Faculty Series, contact Selenseia Holmes at (229) 333-5463 or saholmes@valdosta.edu.