Faculty Writing Retreat

All full-time LMU and LLS faculty are eligible to participate, regardless of discipline, rank, or length of service. Individual colleges and schools may identify additional criteria for faculty sponsorship.

There is no cost to participants. However, each participant must be sponsored by either their own school or college or by the Center for Mission and Identity. 

If you are interested in attending the retreat, please contact your Dean's Office for information about sponsored spaces and the process for applying. You may also indicate your interest in being considered for one of CMI's limited sponsorships by filling out the application form linked above.

The retreat runs from Monday afternoon to Friday midday. Lodging includes single accommodations with private bath in a peaceful setting. Bedding and linens, all meals, and wi-fi are all provided free of charge. (Please note that printing is not available on-site.) Participants are welcome to bring additional items to make their stay comfortable and productive.

The majority of the retreat program is unstructured for participants to use in whatever way will be most useful for them. Each morning and evening, optional sessions will be offered on various topics related to LMU's mission, Ignatian identity, and vocation as a teacher-scholar at a Jesuit, Marymount institution.

An informational meeting will take place via Zoom before the retreat, and a suggested packing list will be provided.

The Center for Mission and Identity recognizes that each participant's needs are unique. We intend the retreat to contribute to your scholarly research and writing, but that will look different for each individual. Some may benefit from long blocks of uninterrupted time to write without distraction. Others may wish to rest, read, or stroll freely, allowing ideas to develop in an unhurried atmosphere. Others may find it helpful to connect with colleagues to discuss projects and get feedback. This retreat is designed to facilitate any or all of these options for participants. It's up to you to decide what will be most helpful!

Here are a few testimonials from previous participants:

• “Having a space to think and write without having to worry about meals and family obligations was absolutely invaluable.”
  
  
• “I felt such an appreciation for my LMU colleagues and it made me feel much more integrated into the university.... I felt reconnected and rejuvenated.”
  
  
• "Being able to use the unstructured time to focus on writing in a peaceful setting without all the usual interruptions made a huge difference. I finished in 2.5 days what would have taken weeks to finish without this protected time. Also, as a bonus, it was great to talk with other faculty and feel like part of the LMU community."
  
  
• “I loved the conversations about LMU's mission and the connection to the Jesuit approach to teaching, learning, and engaging with the whole person.”
  
  
• “I’d all but forgotten what a joy it is to write in a relaxed manner since that almost never happens!”
  
  
• “It was fantastic. I wish I could attend every year.”