Gloomy state uni lecturer loves encountering new faces (6)
I believe the answer is:
sullen
'gloomy' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'state uni lecturer loves encountering new faces' is the wordplay.
'faces' says to take the initial letters (I've seen 'face of' mean this).
The first letters of 'state uni lecturer loves encountering new' is 'SULLEN'.
(Other definitions for sullen that I've seen before include "Baleful" , "'Grumpy, resentful (6)'" , "Gloomy and petulant" , "Morose, sulky" , "Angrily silent" .)