Milwaukee, Wisconsin
June 15, 1997
June 15, 1997
June 18, 1997
2153-5965
5
2.37.1 - 2.37.5
10.18260/1-2--6744
https://peer.asee.org/6744
465
Session 2275
Session 2275
A Process to Earn Promotion and Tenure
By John R. Williams, Dr. Martin Pike Purdue University
Abstract
Before a new business is created or an existing business will expand to gain financial backing from others, the first thing that banks and other capital sources usually want to see is the business plan for the company. This plan is a detailed plan that includes an assessment of the business’ finances, market, suppliers, strengths and weaknesses. This plan provides a realistic set of goals for the business and a guide for future actions and decisions. The new faculty member is in much the same position as a business with one main difference. The business is the person. Just like businesses, for a faculty member to succeed in achieving goals, such as earning tenure and promotion, a strategic plan is necessary. A steady progression of achievement and growth are usually required to attain promotion and tenure. This progression and progress is guided by the strategic plan. This paper discusses the thoughts, advice and process of a tenure track faculty member in the past five years of work. Following will be a discussion of the importance of strategic planning to a new faculty member and how this type of planning could ease the load in attaining tenure and promotion.
Part I - An Example
Introduction
Transition from one walk of life to another is never easy. Whether one enters academia from industry, graduate school or from some other venue, significant differences exist which may hinder the progress of the new educator. In the present case, coming from industry, but with teaching experience as an adjunct, I thought I had an understanding of the teaching requirements. What to do about tenure was the farthest thing from my mind. Fortunately, I had the help of my co-author as mentor and the other staff at our site. They all helped me keep in the right direction to start with. Eventually, it was up to me to shape the direction that my tenure path would take, accompanied by the advice and guidance of my associates and my department head. Even so, the path has been difficult and the outcome is not yet decided.
The Process
In the Purdue University School of Technology, it is a given that all faculty will teach, and will teach well. Course development, laboratory development, finding new ways to present material, preparation of auxiliary educational materials as well as grading all occupy considerable effort. Faculty must keep current on new developments in their course areas. At the same time, faculty
Williams, J. R., & Pike, D. M. (1997, June), A Process To Earn Promotion And Tenure Paper presented at 1997 Annual Conference, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 10.18260/1-2--6744
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