Faculty Career Paths: Multiple Routes to Academic Success and Satisfaction

Changing demographics and a new emphasis on economic development, internationalization, and technology, are changing the ways in which university faculty conduct their work. University and college administrators need to be prepared to recruit, hire, and retain new faculty for this new world, and this book is designed to help. In addition to providing a wealth of data about the faculty of the future, it offers practical advice from the authors, and from a number of expert contributors, on recruiting and retaining new faculty while providing a supportive environment for senior faculty during a period of growth in higher education. The lengthy bibliography directs administrators to informative resources on particular topics that are important to their roles in working with academic personnel. The statements of the contributors support the data and conclusions of the authors, and, at the same time, reflect the changing attitudes and expectations about faculty careers. The authors also discuss the issues concerning non-tenure-track faculty. A large and helpful bibliography directs administrators to important resources on particular topics that are important to their roles in working with academic personnel.

About the Author :
GRETCHEN M. BATAILLE made history in 2006 when she became the first female president of the University of North Texas. She had served as Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs for the 16-campus University of North Carolina since 2000. BETSY E. BROWN is Vice Provost of Academic Affairs at North Carolina State University since 2006. Previously, she was Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs in the Office of the President of the University of North Carolina.

Review :
Aimed at administrators in higher education, this volume examines the multiple career paths traversed by faculty and assesses the levels of satisfaction or dissatisfaction they experience along the way. The 29 contributions from North American faculty and administrators consider the impact of changing demographics (such as more dual-career couples) and describe the needs and expectations of faculty at particular stages of their careers. The material is based on national research as well as studies conducted within the 16-campus U. of North Carolina system. Faculty Career Paths is a must read, not just for faculty but for all academic leaders—department chairs, deans, provosts and presidents. The comprehensiveness of the book takes the reader through 'multiple routes' across the changing territory of faculty life from dual career couples and partner accommodations to family friendly practices. The authors also survey the terrain ahead, informing us of the challenges down the roads of technology, internationalization, collective bargaining, entrepreneurship and change itself. Bravo — Bataille and Brown have enlightened the many paths academics travel from early to late career choices and ultimately into retirement. This book brings to a broad audience the importance of recognizing the role of administrators in developing policies and programs that support faculty in every kind of institution. Academic leaders and policymakers take note: Faculty Career Paths is a book you will want to read sooner rather than later. Bataille and Brown have combined their own considerable experience with informative research about the changing routes faculty take to enter the contemporary academic marketplace. In so doing, they capably raise the questions 'Who is the new academy?' and 'What factors influence individual career satisfaction and success'?... Each chapter includes compelling commentaries written by experienced practitioners, examples of best practice and concrete recommendations for how leaders and institutions can strategically improve hiring, retention, leadership and work-family practices in order to successfully attract, reward and retain quality faculty. Anyone working with faculty employment, development or retirement policies will find this book compulsory reading.