Charting your path to endowed or distinguished: A guide for mid‐career faculty members

Abstract

Two of the most prestigious, yet elusive, titles that professors in higher education can earn are the designations of distinguished professor and endowed chair. These named positions often come with benefits such as salary enhancements, resources for research and teaching, and favorable adjustments of time allocation within a faculty member's position description and job responsibilities. Often, though, mid‐career faculty know little about how they can intentionally pursue these positions. This chapter provides tangible tools to assist mid‐career faculty in understanding what endowed and distinguished positions are and how to best prepare for and pursue such positions. It also provides recommendations for how institutions can be intentional in supporting such professorial advancements.