Effective Strategies for New Faculty from the Perspective of an Assistant Professor in the Early-Career Stage

Yuzhang Zang

Download Paper | Permalink

Conference: 2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition
Location: Portland, Oregon
Publication Date: June 23, 2024
Start Date: June 23, 2024
End Date: July 12, 2024
Conference Session: NEE Technical Session 2 - Educator's experience and perspective
Tagged Division: New Engineering Educators Division (NEE)
Tagged Topic: Diversity
Permanent URL: https://peer.asee.org/47218

Request a correction

Paper Authors

biography

Yuzhang Zang Western Washington University

visit author page

Yuzhang Zang is currently an assistant professor in the department of Engineering and Design at Western Washington University since Fall 2022. She was a visiting assistant professor at Valparaiso University from Aug 2021 to May 2022.
Yuzhang received her Bachelor of Engineering (B. Eng.) in Electromagnetic Field & Wireless Technology Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) in 2014, Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in 2016, and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Electrical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin – Madison in 2021. Her current research interests include electrically small antennas, biomimetic antenna arrays, array decoupling and self-interference reduction techniques.

visit author page

Download Paper | Permalink

Abstract

This paper offers a unique perspective on effective strategies for new faculty members from an assistant professor in the early stages of their academic career. Drawing upon personal experiences and observations, this paper explores key strategies for success in teaching, research and service, focusing on essential principles to help new faculty members with a good start. In the teaching domain, this paper provides strategies for teaching different levels of undergraduate courses. Topics include preparing new courses, creating engaging and inclusive learning environments, fostering student engagement, and employing innovative teaching methods and technologies. Additionally, it offers suggestions on designing effective syllabi, assessing student learning and feedback, managing the classroom and time efficiently. In the research aspect, this paper discusses key elements for building research groups in a program with only undergraduate students. It intimately shares the assistant professor's experiences in attracting more students to the research group, seizing opportunities for collaboration, identifying research topics, developing capstone projects and publications. On the serving side, this paper aims to help new faculty members contribute meaningfully to the academic community while achieving professional fulfillment. Various suggestions are provided in different aspects, such as serving the department and program, academic service, such as serving as a reviewer for transactions and journals, as well as serving in different committees. Furthermore, the paper highlights the significance of advising, mentorship, self-care, and work-life balance to ensure a fulfilling and sustainable career as a faculty member. Especially as a female faculty member, it is important to find their identity, be a role model for female students, and encourage and assist more female students in pursuing STEM disciplines. Through personal experiences from an assistant professor on the challenges and rewards of early-career academia, this paper offers a fresh and relatable perspective on the journey of new faculty members. This paper aims at equipping new faculty members with practical tools, resources, and best practices. By embracing the strategies outlined in this paper, new faculty members can become effective and valued contributors in their teaching and service roles, navigate the challenges of academia with confidence, fostering personal and professional growth while enriching the educational and research experiences of their students and colleagues.

Citation
Format

Zang, Y. (2024, June), Effective Strategies for New Faculty from the Perspective of an Assistant Professor in the Early-Career Stage Paper presented at 2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Portland, Oregon. https://peer.asee.org/47218

TY  - CPAPER
AB  - This paper offers a unique perspective on effective strategies for new faculty members from an assistant professor in the early stages of their academic career. Drawing upon personal experiences and observations, this paper explores key strategies for success in teaching, research and service, focusing on essential principles to help new faculty members with a good start.
In the teaching domain, this paper provides strategies for teaching different levels of undergraduate courses. Topics include preparing new courses, creating engaging and inclusive learning environments, fostering student engagement, and employing innovative teaching methods and technologies. Additionally, it offers suggestions on designing effective syllabi, assessing student learning and feedback, managing the classroom and time efficiently.
In the research aspect, this paper discusses key elements for building research groups in a program with only undergraduate students. It intimately shares the assistant professor&#39;s experiences in attracting more students to the research group, seizing opportunities for collaboration, identifying research topics, developing capstone projects and publications. 
On the serving side, this paper aims to help new faculty members contribute meaningfully to the academic community while achieving professional fulfillment. Various suggestions are provided in different aspects, such as serving the department and program, academic service, such as serving as a reviewer for transactions and journals, as well as serving in different committees. 
Furthermore, the paper highlights the significance of advising, mentorship, self-care, and work-life balance to ensure a fulfilling and sustainable career as a faculty member. Especially as a female faculty member, it is important to find their identity, be a role model for female students, and encourage and assist more female students in pursuing STEM disciplines.
Through personal experiences from an assistant professor on the challenges and rewards of early-career academia, this paper offers a fresh and relatable perspective on the journey of new faculty members. This paper aims at equipping new faculty members with practical tools, resources, and best practices.  
By embracing the strategies outlined in this paper, new faculty members can become effective and valued contributors in their teaching and service roles, navigate the challenges of academia with confidence, fostering personal and professional growth while enriching the educational and research experiences of their students and colleagues.

AU  - Yuzhang Zang
CY  - Portland, Oregon
DA  - 2024/06/23
PB  - ASEE Conferences
TI  - Effective Strategies for New Faculty from the Perspective of an Assistant Professor in the Early-Career Stage
UR  - https://peer.asee.org/47218
ER  -