• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
(888) 312-1744
APL Logo

APL nextED Academic Operations Platform

Bringing Academic Teams Together

  • Features
    • Features Overview
    • Faculty
    • Courses
    • Contracts and Compensation
    • Reporting
    • Professional Development
    • Recruiting
    • Implementation and Integration
  • Who We Help
    • Faculty
    • Academic Leadership
    • Executive Leadership
    • Staff and Administrators
    • Academic Data and Reporting
    • Teaching Support Resources
    • IT
  • Company
    • About Us
    • Testimonials
    • Value
  • Resources
    • Podcast
    • Blog
    • Accreditors Standards
    • Assessments And Grades
    • Best Practices For Teaching
    • Education Technology And Products
    • Higher Education Terms
    • Managing A Class
    • Preparing For The Return to Campus
    • Teaching Online Courses
    • Today’s Students
    • Trends In Higher Education
    • Understanding Your Faculty
  • Contact
  • Login
    • Faculty Users
    • Institution Users
  • Book a Meeting
  • Show Search
Hide Search

What Adjuncts Really Want

APL nextED Marketing Team · April 29, 2020 ·

What Adjuncts really want

With over three-fourths of all college courses being delivered by adjunct faculty today, it is imperative that institutions know how to engage and retain this increasingly important group of faculty. There are a few simple yet key steps institutions can take to ensure their adjuncts feel valued, engaged, and prepared for success.

Communication

Developing a communication plan is essential to the success of your adjunct faculty. A written communication plan often includes a definition of the audience (adjuncts), objectives, measurable goals or outcomes, available communication tools and methods, and an evaluation of the results. Institutions can use communication plans to map out the information they believe is pertinent to their adjunct faculty and the most effective channels to disseminate the information.

Adjunct faculty should be informed about performance expectations, textbook selection, syllabus requirements, grade due dates, and the like. Some institutions choose to provide an adjunct handbook or toolkit with examples of exams and syllabi and a calendar of important dates. Timely contract execution and teaching evaluations are also essential in retaining your faculty and keeping them engaged.

Training and Professional Development 

All too often the extent of an adjunct”s onboarding is something along the lines of “here are the keys, return them on May 15.” In fact, 94% of adjuncts never receive an orientation to their campus or department (Embracing Your Adjuncts, ACICS). Because many adjuncts are first-time professors from professional fields, it is important they receive an informative and robust orientation to higher education. Adjunct orientation should cover the institution’s mission and vision, policies, procedures, legalities, syllabus requirements, as well as training on technology, software, and LMS.

In addition to a meaningful and engaging orientation, institutions should provide their adjuncts with on-going professional development opportunities. Some institutions offer monthly workshops or access to digital courses focused on best practices for teaching and learning, pedagogy, and classroom management. APL’s digital course, Adjunct Teaching 101, prepares first-time adjuncts for success in the classroom covering topics such as designing a course plan, writing a syllabus, managing a classroom, and FERPA (Understanding Your Faculty).

Mentorship programs can also be a helpful resource for adjuncts, especially those desiring to advance to a full-time role. Full-time faculty can help provide teaching insights based on experience as well as offer assistance and guidance to first-time adjuncts.

Belonging and Recognition

Although adjuncts make up a large portion of faculty at many institutions, they often feel like the outsiders on campus. Historically, institutions have not put forth a great effort to include this group of faculty in their departments or campus life and culture. “Creating a sense of belonging and community will both help maintain strong relationships with adjunct faculty and improve the retention of your best adjunct instructors” (Academic Impressions). Perhaps the most meaningful and simplest ways to create a sense of belonging is to say “thank you” and assure adjuncts they are an integral part of carrying out the mission of your institution. Inviting adjuncts to department meetings, outings, and the holiday party are also kind gestures that will ultimately help to create an integrated and inclusive department.

< Previous
Next >

Understanding Your Faculty

Primary Sidebar

Search

Categories

  • Podcast
  • Press Releases
  • Resources
    • Accreditors Standards
    • Assessments And Grades
    • Best Practices For Operations
    • Best Practices For Teaching
    • Education Technology And Products
    • Events
    • Higher Education Terms
    • Interviewing and Hiring
    • Leadership in Higher Education
    • Managing A Class
    • Teaching Evaluations
    • Teaching Online Courses
    • Today's Students
    • Trends In Higher Education
    • Understanding Your Faculty
    • Videos
APL Logo

APL nextED, the leading academic operations platform, brings all your academic leadership together in one centralized hub to connect, collaborate and demonstrate outcomes.Get Your Demo Today!

ACE Womens Network Logo

Links

  • Home
  • About
  • Resources
  • Podcast
  • FAQs
  • Press Releases
  • Careers
  • Contact

Contact Us

[email protected]
(888) 312-1744
15 N. Franklin Street
Suite 100 Valparaiso, IN 46383

Connect

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Map

Copyright © 2023 – APL nextED, Inc |Privacy Policy|Terms & Conditions

We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our website, to show you personalized content and targeted ads, to analyze our website traffic, and to understand where our visitors are coming from. By browsing our website, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies.
ACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT