Navigating Mid-Career Faculty Challenges at MSU
Transitioning from Associate to Full Professor presents distinctive challenges for mid-career faculty. Explore the experiences, recommendations, and strategic considerations in this critical phase of academic life.
Download Presentation

Please find below an Image/Link to download the presentation.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author.If you encounter any issues during the download, it is possible that the publisher has removed the file from their server.
You are allowed to download the files provided on this website for personal or commercial use, subject to the condition that they are used lawfully. All files are the property of their respective owners.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author.
E N D
Presentation Transcript
Thriving in the Tenure System II: Transitioning from Associate to Full Professor Tuesday, February 16, 2021 Navigating the Terrain of the Navigating the Terrain of the Mid- -Career Faculty Experience at MSU Career Faculty Experience at MSU Mid Roger Baldwin Erickson Professor Emeritus Higher, Adult & Lifelong Education 1
Growing interest in the middle years of academic life Example: Recent Chronicle of Higher Education dialogue on How to Avoid the Associate Professor Trap (February 3, 2021) 2
Topics Topics Experiences and Challenges of Mid- Career Faculty Mid-Career in context Study of Mid-Career Faculty at MSU Key Findings and Recommendations For full discussion of design, sample, and findings, see CHANGE magazine report Resources at MSU & Beyond to Support Mid-Career Faculty Strategic considerations at mid-career 3
Mid-Career Faculty in Context Midlife and mid-career are transition periods with distinctive challenges No longer a novice professor Gradually moving into the senior ranks Mastered basics of the job (e.g., teaching) but often are confronted with new challenges (e.g., service and leadership expectations) Multigenerational responsibilities and challenges 4
Mid-Career Faculty in Context (1 of 2) Short career ladder, extrinsic motivators (tenure, promotion) can diminish in mid-career M-C faculty can reach a plateau when growth and advancement slow or stop Opportunities for learning, new challenges, growth opportunities needed to keep mid-career faculty engaged and productive Time to reflect, recharge, renew, possibly redirect Maintenance? 5
Mid-Career Faculty in Context (2 of 2) Limited research on mid-career faculty Many assume faculty at mid-career know how to succeed, can fend for themselves, don t need special support 6
Mid-Career at MSU Conducted a study of mid-career faculty issues at MSU (with F&OD colleagues) Interviewed associate professors 1-5 years post-tenure, 6+ years post-tenure Interviewed department chairs who work with mid-career faculty Questions concerned mid-career experiences, challenges , expectations, how to support mid-career faculty 7
Common mid-career challenges at MSU New expectations & demands: Higher or enhanced performance (especially in publications and grants) New roles and duties (especially service, administration, leadership) Negotiating competing roles, finding balance 8
Common mid-career challenges at MSU Feeling Neglected or Invisible: Less attention and support from department chair, colleagues Unclear Goals: Now what do I do? Without tenure to aim for, what do I want to accomplish? How do I identify my own targets? 9
M-C complicated by Covid-19 Interrupted plans Reordered priorities Complicated tasks (communicating via Zoom, separation from colleagues & support services) Impeded research and other professional projects Slowed progress to key goals 10
Strategies Used by High Performers at Mid-Career Network, collaborate, build teams Exhibit adaptability, flexibility Strive to obtain external grants (particularly in STEM disciplines) Move from shorter to longer range projects 11
Enlist your department chair as an ally Help M-C faculty balance roles Identify new goals Locate resources: Funding, time, linking M-C faculty to other forms of support Annual reviews are good times to assess progress, identify goals, discuss what types of support is needed to move toward goals 12
Map Your Opportunities & Options Consider your values & goals Identify resources Talk with colleagues Brainstorm possibilities Consider your long-term trajectory strengths, specialties, emerging interests & opportunities 13
What qualities, skills, abilities do you want to develop or enhance? Disciplinary/content/interdisciplinary expertise New areas you might like to explore or emphasize New methodologies to develop Professional, personal, and process skills Leadership abilities Organizational knowledge and skills Communication skills Team management skills Negotiation and conflict resolution skills Finance and budgeting skills 14
What contextual factors are relevant to your midcareer planning? Changes/New Directions in your field The situation in your department or college Personal responsibilities, constraints, opportunities, goals Impact of the pandemic on your situation What plans and activities might you need to modify? 15
Values & Priority Goals as You Move Forward? What are you good at? Most enjoy? What would you like to be doing differently? (More or less of?) How does your work fit with your broader life commitments? What do you want your accomplishments to be by the end of your career? Is your career trajectory consistent with your values and goals? 16
Resources available at MSU Academic Advancement Network (AAN) Supports colleagues in developing productive careers reflective of their individual aspirations Helps colleagues connect their aspirations to institutional priorities. 17
AAN Areas of Focus Teaching & Learning Supports academics in developing & achieving goals for teaching & learning Research & Scholarship Node Supports building & sustaining impactful research and scholarly programs Academic Career Paths Supports meaningful & productive professional & personal lives across the arc of the career Leadership Development Node Facilitates learning opportunities for current and future leaders 18
AAN Programming & Events Relevant to Mid- Career Academics Adams Academy Fellows (Year-long fellowship on teaching and learning [T&L]) Lilly Fellows (Focused on leadership development in T&L) Facilitation of department/college level mentoring workshops Learning Communities (Discussion groups on various T&L topics) Leadership Development & Enhancement Opportunities Research & Scholarship Support (E.g., Establishing research agenda, research team, achieving funding, communicating research findings) 19
Resources Available at MSU: Office of Research & Innovation Work-Life Office College and institutional grants, fellowships Colleagues who you admire 20
Helpful Resources External to MSU Scholarly Associations Foundations Federal and State Agencies 21
Think creatively about the possibilities. In Teaching New courses, teaching abroad, online teaching Team teaching, special topics In Research New collaborations or new directions with current collaborators Shifting to larger-scale projects Opportunities with national agencies, scholarly associations In Service Leadership roles, special assignments within MSU Leadership roles Editorships, elective offices, special assignments 22
Looking Forward Look at mid-career as a time for reflection, refocusing, renewing Be strategic in making choices Set clear, energizing goals Reassess periodically to be sure you are making good progress Be very intentional and proactive in setting directions, selecting opportunities, and seeking mentors Identify your path forward and enjoy the journey 23