A substantial body of research, conducted over more than 50 years, makes clear that faculty-student interaction is a key factor in promoting student success, particularly among those students who most need support, such as first-generation college students and students of color. This research is consistent, pervasive, and has informed the…

The author of this article reflects on a study in which she and her two colleagues, teacher educators all, examined prospective students' college applications to gain insight into the discourses with which students entered two early childhood teacher certification programs. They then built on these findings to hypothesize how the identified…

Describes a philosophy of teaching inspired by a love of the discipline being taught and the desire of the professor to give students something of substance and be fulfilled by their responses. (SLD)

Recounts the process by which a college teacher became a teacher, specifically a teacher of writing. The experience of being taught by exceptional teachers created the desire to be such a teacher himself. (SLD)

Discusses how in addition to developing students' individual aptitudes, education must help students understand their connections to the world at large. Describes the connections that should be illuminated for students and the role of teachers in this process. (EV)

Attaining the goals that higher-education reformers target (making the academy more accessible, affordable, and effective) via technology is likely to require a significant overhaul of postsecondary institutions, including the use of time, resource allocation, roles of faculty/staff, and institutional mission. Closer examination of how technology…

In an interview, the president of the National Education Association (NEA) discusses issues in higher education, including the NEA's role, relationships between higher education and elementary-secondary education, professionalism and the union, technological advancement, the role of postsecondary education, allocation of educational resources,…

A college teacher describes his approach to student subject-area writing, which includes assignment of several short papers to be written according to carefully prescribed guidelines (appended to the article), clear grading criteria, high expectations, availability for individual conferences, rewards for improvement, encouragement of writing for…

The Americans with Disabilities Act requires reasonable accommodations for the disabled in public and private colleges and universities. Faculty must understand the difference between equal opportunity and equal treatment. Specific suggestions are made for teaching learning-disabled, mobility- impaired, visually-impaired, and hearing-impaired…

Unless the higher education community itself, primarily students and faculty, responds immediately and forcefully to the issue of underfunding and widespread retrenchment, higher education as we know it will cease to exist. Problems include shrinking state financial and political support and absence of a compelling national security need.…

It is argued that college writing courses can accomplish technical and critical goals and also address politically-charged issues responsibly. The rationale for this approach is discussed, and a University of Texas at Austin composition program designed to include examination of race and gender issues is outlined. Several other writing course…

Three recent reports on the quality and need for reform in American higher education are examined as opportunities, particularly for faculty, to renew their commitment to excellence in their profession. (MSE)

Recent research in cognition and motivation offers practical applications to help underachieving students perform more effectively in college. Teachers can help students learn to process information better, encourage them to be active learners and be better organized, assist them in coping with anxiety, and change course structure to change…

A study examined the current financial crisis and politics of retrenchment in two universities during the 1992-93 academic year: the University of Maine-Orono and the University of New Orleans. Emphasis is on the role played by faculty in process and the effectiveness of alternative methods of faculty involvement. (MSE)

Common pitfalls for colleges and universities in hiring faculty and in career development efforts are identified, and recommendations are made for both faculty and administrators to begin to halt the attrition of minority and female faculty members. (MSE)