Professional and Organizational Development Network in Higher Education

 

Date of this Version

2009

Document Type

Article

Citation

To Improve the Academy: A Journal of Educational Development (2009) 27

doi: 10.3998/tia.17063888.0027.024

Comments

License: CC BY-NC-ND

Abstract

Discussions about preparing newcomers for faculty development focus almost exclusively on the staffing needs of teaching centers. Unfortunately, this emphasis significantly narrows what it means to prepare people for the field. Instead, we suggest that successful preparation has two elements: preparation of talented individuals for formal positions in the field and preparation of knowledgeable advocates or allies. As evidence, we present results from a survey of our center’s graduate teaching consultants, documenting how their work shaped their future connections to faculty development. Our results challenge centers to consider how their programming can “grow” both professionals in and advocates for faculty development.

Share

COinS