Part-Time Faculty: Who? What? How?

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Courtney Adkins, Ph.D.

Assistant Director

Center for Community College Student Engagement

Misha Turner, Ph.D.

Associate Director

Center for Community College Student Engagement

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Keys to Student Success: Strengthening the Role of Part-time Faculty in Community Colleges

rview Funded by MetLife

Foundation College Visits

Focus groups with part- and full-time faculty

Interviews with presidents

Center Data Analyses College Vignettes Web Resources Special Report

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Part-time faculty teach approximately 58% of U.S. community college classes…and 53% of community college students.

JBL, 2008

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Why are so many instructors named “Staff?”

- Student

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Part-time faculty: Who are they?

CCFSSE Item RolePart-time, n=30,248

Full-time, n= 35,142

What is your faculty rank?

Other 9% 2%

Lecturer 5% 1%

Instructor 73% 40%

Assistant Professor

3% 15%

Associate Professor

4% 16%

Professor 7% 26%

CCFSSE, 2009-2013

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Part-time faculty: Who are they?

How many years of teaching

experience do you have?

Four or fewer years

37% 13%

Five to nine years 26% 22%

10 to 29 years 33% 55%

30 years or more 6% 10%

CCFSSE Item StatusPart-time, n=30,594

Full-time, n=35,142

CCFSSE, 2009-2013

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Why I Teach…

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“Those adjuncts”

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Those who teach only dev. ed are more likely to have…

Part-time employment 76% A position of instructor 73% Fewer years of teaching experience 66% fewer

than 10 years

Less likely… Tenure-track position Master’s degree or higher

Profile of a Developmental Education Faculty Member

CCFSSE, 2009-2013

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Discussion Question

How is your college preparing part-time faculty to teach these important courses?

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Instructors’ Academy – Coastal Carolina Community College (NC)

Goal: Strengthen college’s focus on engaging teaching and learning strategies

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PT faculty participation in high-impact practices

Part-time faculty are less likely than full-time faculty to report

– Teaching in an organized learning community

– Participating in a student success course

– Being involved with a fast-track or accelerated learning course

CCFSSE, 2011-2013

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Discussion Question

How, if at all, are part-time faculty at your college encouraged to participate in and use high-impact educational practices and other effective teaching strategies?

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Involving Part-Time Faculty in Course Design – Bristol Community College (MA)

Goal: Increase first-year student success in all gateway courses

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Faculty referrals to academic and support services

How often do you refer students to academic advising/planning services?

Rarely/Never– Part-time – 25% and Full-time - 14%

I’ve referred students to college tutoring services or I require students to participate in college tutoring.

Yes– Part-time – 50% and Full-time - 57%

CCFSSE, 2009-2013

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Strengthening the Role…

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Discussion Question

How does your college ensure part-time faculty are aware of support services for students?

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Strengthening the Role…

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Strengthening the Role…

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Strengthening the Role…

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Strengthening the Role…

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Discussion Questions

What do you already know (or need to know) about the experience of part-time faculty at your college?

Consistent hiring processes?

Part-time faculty orientation? Mandatory?

Availability of office space or designated work space and access to instructional materials?

Professional development opportunities & expectations?

Opportunities to meet with colleagues?

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Discussion Question

What is your advice to colleges?

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Advice to colleges

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Faculty Engagement – What Can We Do?- Express high expectations and provide high support.

- Conduct campus conversations about policy and practice related to part-time faculty. Involve part-time faculty in the discussions.

- Create an integrated pathway for part-time faculty: hiring, orientation, professional development, evaluation, incentives, integration into college community and student success agenda

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Faculty Engagement – What Can We Do?- Design pathways to full-time employment.

- Recognize part-time faculty in monetary ways, when possible, and in non-monetary ways as well.

- Keep the focus on student success and effective educational practice.

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A Focus on Student Success…

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Students!

What Matters Most?

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Contingent Commitments Web Toolshttp://www.ccsse.org/center/initiatives/ptf/special/

Tools and Resources:Campus Discussion GuideConducting Focus GroupsNotes from the LiteratureMethodologyAdditional Resources – Delphi Project, Achieving the Dream and othersFaculty Video Clips

Contingent Commitments Web Tools