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Dear Faculty Relations – I’ve heard some of our teaching and clinical faculty feel like department outsiders. Do you have any tips on how to integrate teaching and clinical faculty in departments better and help them feel valued? – Wanting Everyone IncludedÌý

Dear Wanting – Because teaching and clinical faculty (TCF) are usually not part of tenured/tenure-track (TTT) focused discussions, it’s natural for some to feel devalued or isolated from the department’s core. Moreover, I’ve seen some departments where undergraduate education and events are left more to the TCF without an integrated mix of faculty. I suggest you take deliberate steps to ensure everyone feels part of the team. For instance:Ìý

• Positions of Leadership. Encourage TCF to take up department leadership positions such as directing the undergraduate program or DEI efforts.ÌýÌý

• Department Leadership Team. If you do not already have a TCF member on your department leadership team, consider adding one to ensure their voices are heard.ÌýÌý

• Integrated Undergraduate Committee and Events. TCF typically serve on the Undergraduate Committee and are often involved in undergraduate events. Ensure you also have engaged TTT faculty to promote a higher diversity of viewpoints, more robust discussions, and larger event turnouts.ÌýÌýÌý

• Differentiated Workload. TCF in some colleges can request a differentiated workload for teaching release (i.e., like a sabbatical) to enhance professional development and pursue service projects.ÌýÌýÌý

• Conferences. Consider providing funds for TCF to attend conferences and cover travel expenses.Ìý

• Grant Proposals. Encourage TCF to pursue grants in areas of interest. Provide proposal-writing support, such as review by a senior faculty member.Ìý

• Awards. Nominate TCF for appropriate department, college, and BFA awards.ÌýÌý

• Voting Rights. Ensure TCF have voting rights where appropriate, such as changes in the undergraduate curriculum or hiring of new TCF. Discuss voting rights at a faculty meeting to ensure transparency and provide an opportunity for group discussion.Ìý

• Campus and College Committees. Recommend TCF for committees outside your unit, enabling greater networking across campus.Ìý

• Faculty Meetings and Events. Strongly encourage TCF to attend faculty meetings and department events such as happy hours or holiday parties.Ìý

• Supportive Communication. Meet with TCF at least once a semester to see how things are going, determine if support is needed, and review professional goals.ÌýÌý

TCF bring diverse viewpoints to faculties, so be sure to engage them in your unit and let them know they are valued!Ìý

Written by Wendy Young, Teaching Professor and Associate Chair, Chemical and Biological Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Science.Ìý