Retaining Your Best College Professors: You Worked Hard to Recruit Them; Now How Do You Keep Them?

Faculty recruitment is a significant expense for colleges and universities, but many fail to devote the same attention to retaining college professors. This book addresses why higher education currently has a faculty retention problem and explores the strategies needed to address it. It encourages colleges and universities to develop a culture of retention that applies to students and faculty members alike.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 132 pages
Publication date: 15 October 2021
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Faculty recruitment is a significant expense for colleges and universities, and schools allocate substantial resources to the hiring process. However, many of these institutions fail to give the same attention to retaining college professors. Numerous studies have revealed that it is far less expensive to retain a student you have than to recruit a new one. Why is this lesson not also applied to the college faculty? This book addresses the reasons behind the current faculty retention problem in higher education and then explores the strategies required to address it.

However, not all faculty members face the same retention challenges. Minority faculty members, highly competitive researchers, part-time and temporary faculty members who excel in teaching, and other marginalized groups all encounter unique retention difficulties. The best methods for retaining junior faculty may not necessarily be the most effective for retaining mid-career and senior faculty. By examining best practices currently in place in higher education and combining those insights with research conducted in the corporate world, the book encourages colleges and universities to develop a culture of retention that applies to students and faculty members alike.

Recruitment and retention of faculty members are critical issues for colleges and universities. While recruitment efforts are necessary to bring new talent into the institution, it is equally important to focus on retaining existing faculty members. Retaining faculty members not only ensures continuity of instruction but also contributes to the overall academic reputation and success of the institution.

There are several reasons why faculty members may choose to leave their positions. Some common reasons include lack of job security, inadequate compensation, poor working conditions, and lack of opportunities for professional development. In addition, faculty members may also feel unappreciated or undervalued by their institution, which can lead to dissatisfaction and a desire to seek employment elsewhere.

To address faculty retention issues, colleges and universities need to implement a comprehensive strategy. This strategy should include measures to improve job security, provide competitive compensation and benefits, create a supportive work environment, and provide opportunities for professional development. Colleges and universities should also work to create a culture of appreciation and recognition for faculty members, which can help to improve morale and retention rates.

One effective strategy for retaining faculty members is to provide competitive compensation and benefits packages. This includes competitive salaries, health insurance, retirement plans, and other benefits that are comparable to those offered by other institutions. Colleges and universities should also consider providing additional incentives, such as research grants, teaching assistantships, and other forms of support, to attract and retain talented faculty members.

In addition to compensation and benefits, colleges and universities should also focus on creating a supportive work environment. This includes providing adequate resources and support for faculty members, such as access to modern technology, research facilities, and professional development opportunities. Colleges and universities should also work to create a culture of respect and collegiality among faculty members, which can help to improve morale and retention rates.

Professional development opportunities are also essential for retaining faculty members. Colleges and universities should provide opportunities for faculty members to attend conferences, workshops, and other professional development events to improve their skills and knowledge. This can help to keep faculty members engaged and motivated and can also contribute to their professional growth and advancement.

In addition to these strategies, colleges and universities should also work to create a culture of appreciation and recognition for faculty members. This can include recognizing faculty members for their contributions to the institution through awards, promotions, and other forms of recognition. Colleges and universities should also work to create a sense of community among faculty members, which can help to improve morale and retention rates.

In conclusion, faculty recruitment and retention are critical issues for colleges and universities. By implementing a comprehensive strategy that focuses on improving job security, providing competitive compensation and benefits, creating a supportive work environment, and providing opportunities for professional development, colleges and universities can help to retain existing faculty members and attract new talent. This can contribute to the overall academic reputation and success of the institution.

Weight: 209g
Dimension: 223 x 151 x 11 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781475862010