Faculty and Talent Experience

About the episode: 

Television shows and movies have a tendency to make faculty life look glamorous. Ask any faculty member, however, and they will fill you in on the challenges of juggling teaching, research, publishing, grant writing, pursuing tenure, etc. Let’s not even talk about those who become department chairs with no people management experience or training. Many feel valued as some of the most important fixtures in higher education but others don’t feel quite so supported. Former tenured professor and current academic leadership coach Jennifer Askey joined “I Wanna Work There!” to fill us in on the life of faculty.

‍

What can you take away from episode 23?

1. We will get an idea of what a sense of fulfillment and success look like for faculty.
2. Jennifer will educate us on what faculty want from their employers.
3. We will learn about a free virtual event to help faculty reach their untapped potential while helping them advocate for employee satisfaction on their respective campuses.

‍

Episode Summary

What Drives Faculty to Seek Coaching for Success and Fulfillment?

Jennifer Askey shares that many faculty members come to coaching to reconnect with their passion for academia or realign their values with institutional expectations. Faculty often enter academia motivated by a love for learning and subject expertise, but many find that institutional demands, such as administrative responsibilities, don’t align with their initial aspirations. Coaching allows faculty to define personal and professional success, helping them make deliberate choices that bring satisfaction and reduce stress. Faculty members seek coaching to navigate career changes, like taking on administrative roles, and to ensure their work aligns with their values and contributes meaningfully to their institutions.

‍

How Can Institutions Provide Better Support for Faculty?

Support for faculty goes beyond tenure and promotion; it includes providing emotional and professional recognition for the less visible aspects of academic labor. Jennifer emphasizes that institutions should recognize not just faculty’s research but also their contributions to teaching, student support, and departmental service. Simple gestures of acknowledgment can go a long way in retaining faculty, especially when they feel their work is valued by the institution. Jennifer also points out that the “corporate” model of efficiency in higher ed often clashes with the mission-driven goals of academia. Leadership should seek to align administrative actions with institutional values, ensuring faculty feel supported and heard.

‍

What Can Faculty Do to Increase Their Own Satisfaction?

Jennifer encourages faculty to focus on what they can control, such as defining priorities and setting boundaries. For example, rather than starting the day with emails, faculty can prioritize research or other high-impact tasks. By recognizing choices and aligning daily actions with long-term goals, faculty can experience greater satisfaction and success. Coaching often involves helping faculty examine where their work aligns with personal and institutional values and finding ways to enhance that alignment through intentional decision-making. Jennifer also stresses the importance of emotional intelligence for faculty leaders, as it aids in relationship management and team-building.

‍

About the Show: I Wanna Work There! takes a look at how colleges and universities can develop competitive, compelling employer brands. Join us for an honest and solutions-based look at the issues that surround institutions positioning themselves as employers of choice.

‍

About The Enrollify Podcast Network: I Wanna Work There is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!  

Some of our favorites include Confessions of a Higher Ed Social Media Manager and Talking Tactics. 

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com. 

‍

Connect with Us at the Engage Summit: Exciting news — many of your favorite Enrollify creators will be at the 2024 Engage Summit in Raleigh, NC, on June 25 and 26, and we’d love to meet you there! Sessions will focus on cutting-edge AI applications that are reshaping student outreach, enhancing staff productivity, and offering deep insights into ROI. 

Use the discount code Enrollify50 at checkout.

Learn more and register at engage.element451.com — we can’t wait to see you there!

‍