Supporting the "Road Scholar": Strategies for Fostering Adjunct Inclusivity as a Department Lead

TL;DR

This presentation discusses the experiences of two adjunct faculty members and how their department chair supports and includes them in decision-making, resource sharing, and professional growth.

Transcript

hello everybody good afternoon i'm coming to you from beautiful southern california today and i won't describe the weather for you but it's a little bit perfect so uh next slide please take a look at our introduction slide my name is elisa i am the department chair for the letters department which is a multi-disciplinary department we have american... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥺 Inclusive and collaborative approach to department leadership leads to a supportive and positive work environment.
• ❓ Advocacy and protection of adjunct faculty members are crucial to address issues of exploitation and bullying.
• ❓ Sharing resources, course materials, and experiences among faculty members facilitates professional growth and collaboration.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does the department chair support and include part-time faculty members?

The department chair includes part-time faculty members in department meetings, encourages collaboration, and shares resources and course materials. They also prioritize mentoring and supporting part-time faculty members.

Q: How does the department chair address issues of exploitation and bullying among faculty members?

The department chair advocates for fair treatment of part-time faculty members, protects them from exploitation, and addresses bullying from colleagues or administrators. They encourage useful participation, paid participation opportunities, and mentorship to create a supportive environment.

Q: What resources are available for adjunct faculty members who feel disregarded or disrespected?

Adjunct faculty members can reach out to their department chair, union representatives, or Title IX coordinators for support and resolution of issues. It is important to consult the contract and understand rights and protections available.

Q: How does the department chair ensure and promote excellence among faculty members?

The department chair values and encourages excellence among faculty members, praises their accomplishments, and supports their professional growth. They create opportunities for collaboration, share pedagogy and resources, and provide mentoring to ensure continuous improvement.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speakers, Elisa and Lesette, share their personal experiences as adjunct faculty and their current positive experiences with their department chair.

• They emphasize the importance of inclusivity, collaboration, and mentorship in creating a supportive environment for all faculty members.

• The department chair created a meeting space in Canvas where resources, meeting agendas and minutes, and curriculum materials can be shared among faculty members.