Negotiating Faculty Identity in the Transition from Student Affairs Practitioner to Tenure-Track Faculty

Moving into a Faculty Role from Student Affairs Administration

“…The duration of the role change from administrator to faculty could take months or years depending on the type of faculty position (adjunct, clinical, tenure track). Compared to the collaborative nature of student affairs, faculty responsibilities in terms of research, teaching, and service are often a solo endeavor and the isolated nature of faculty work is challenging for former administrators (Benjamin et al., ; Kniess et al., ; LaRocco & Bruns, ; McCluskey‐Titus & Cawthon, ). Concurrent stress refers to other stressors associated with the career change process, such as finishing the doctoral dissertation, selling a home, finding a new home, arranging childcare, etc.…”

“…Even though there is not a specific way to prepare for every aspect of faculty work, individuals can gain insight into faculty life prior to pursuing a career in academia. Talk with current faculty about their work, especially those who have made the transition to faculty from an administrative role (Benjamin & Lowery, ; Kniess et al., ). Potential conversation topics are aspects of faculty culture, developing a teaching philosophy and research agenda.…”

“…Faculty who were former administrators in Kniess et al. () study viewed their connections to student affairs and the practitioners in the field as a crucial element in remaining current and credible in the classroom.…”

“…Callie, a participant in Kniess et al. () study indicated she structured her day as a student affairs administrator, even though she was faculty:

So, I still functioned as a student affairs administrator, so I'd show up and sit in my office all day and leave my door open and expect people to say hi to me and that people would chat and that we'd have conversations. And that was not the culture at [the institution].

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“…It should be a decision made carefully. Although you remain within the college and university context, the culture and expectations of faculty are different compared to administrators and will be a career change (Benjamin & Lowery, ; Benjamin, Kniess, & Boettcher, ; Kniess, Benjamin, & Boettcher, ; LaRocco & Bruns, ).…”