Best Practices for Supporting Adjunct Faculty

The number of part-time faculty members is increasing steadily, to
the point that most colleges and universities could not function
efficiently without them. The evening and weekend availability of
adjunct faculty enables us to expand class schedules to serve the
educational needs of nontraditional students, and their expertise
offers students important real-world perspectives.Yet there is
often a lack of preparation or support for their vital role. Best
Practices for Supporting Adjunct Faculty is written for a full
range of academic leaders, including instructional administrators,
department chairs, and directors of teaching and learning centers.
It showcases proven initiatives at a variety of institutional
types--two- and four year, public and private--that help
achieve the needs of adjunct instructors, while increasing their
effectiveness within institutions' existing delivery systems.
This book provides research data on the initiatives highlighted,
and valuable ideas for institutions expanding their professional
development opportunities for part-time instructors--thus
enhancing student learning and improving accountability outcomes.
Contents include:

* Deepening our understanding of adjunct faculty

* Ensuring an effective start for adjunct faculty

* Supporting adjunct faculty through face-to-face and online
programming

* Mentoring adjunct instructors in a variety of approaches

* Building community and a sense of mission

* Analysis of orientation, pre-service training, recognition, and
comprehensive professional development programs for adjunct
faculty

* Portraits of proven programs and strategies for implementing
initiatives at your institution

* An adjunct professor's perspective on the benefits of
supporting your part-timers' teaching