Henry Luce Foundation Grant - Mid-Career Faculty Study

Duration: September 2016 - June 2017

Geographic Scope: 13 institutions in the Great Lakes Colleges Association (GLCA)

Project Title: Faculty Development at Liberal Arts Colleges - Mid-Career Faculty Focus

Principal Investigators:

• Vicki Baker - Associate Professor of Economics and Management, Albion College (lead)
• Laura Lunsford - Associate Professor of Psychology, University of Arizona
• Meghan Pifer - Assistant Professor of Higher Education, Widener University, Pennsylvania

Research Focus:

• Needs and concerns of mid-career educators at liberal arts colleges
• Address the gap that mid-career professors "don't get a lot of attention"
• Study challenges and needed supports across career stages in the professoriate
• Focus on faculty who are 8-10 years into their careers

Key Findings from Prior Research:

• Mid-career professors falling through the cracks
• Faculty unprepared for changes in technology, demands, and skepticism about liberal arts education
• Faculty at liberal arts colleges wear many hats: teacher, advisor, recruiter, mentor—roles not covered in graduate training

Program Components:

1. Leadership Development Institute: Yearlong experience for 20 mid-career faculty members in Ann Arbor
2. Mentoring Support: Personalized guidance and support
3. Book/Publication: "Developing Faculty in Liberal Arts Colleges: Aligning Individual Needs and Organizational Goals"
   • Publisher: Rutgers University Press
   • Draft deadline: Fall 2016
   • Publication date: 2017

Partner Institutions: 13 GLCA member schools providing administrative backing

Prior Funding: Hewlett-Mellon Fund for faculty development (before Luce grant)

Goals:

• Assess where mid-career faculty are in their careers
• Determine support needed for more complete job performance
• Identify next steps and opportunities for career progression
• Provide recommendations for liberal arts college faculty development

Background: Researchers working on topic for nearly three years before grant award