A study was undertaken to determine how teaching in learning communities (i.e., courses that are linked or intentionally integrated in terms of learning objectives and shared assignments) affects the perspectives and work of community college faculty members. Interviews with 14 faculty members who taught in learning communities at a Midwestern…

Foreign-born faculty members in community colleges can serve as a valuable resource to their institutions' growing internationalization efforts. This study uses the data from the 2004 National Study of Postsecondary Faculty to examine the characteristics, job satisfaction, and workplace perceptions of the foreign-born group of the professoriate at…

In light of growing speculation that the autonomy of community college faculty members is eroding, this study draws on the 2004 National Study of Postsecondary Faculty to explore the institutional and personal variables that predict faculty satisfaction with authority to make decisions about content and methods in instructional activities. Results…

To determine what attracts faculty to rural community colleges, a qualitative study, based on the theory of met expectations, was conducted. The faculty who expressed satisfaction were those who were comfortable living and working in a rural community, enjoyed the challenge of teaching students who varied considerably in their readiness for…

Draws from individual in-depth interviews of 34 full-time community college faculty to examine job attitudes and work behaviors of faculty with 10+ years in their current positions. Concludes that stagnation is avoidable, and routinization can be minimized by diversity in work tasks, skills used, and expanded role definition. (LAL)

Reports on a study comparing job satisfaction/dissatisfaction among secondary school, community college, and four-year college faculty in 15 Los Angeles County public institutions. Finds teaching a satisfying and fulfilling profession at all levels, with community college faculty the most satisfied group. (DMM)

Presents findings from a study of community college faculty attitudes about their status. Respondents with prior full-time faculty experience at a four-year institution were more likely to agree than those without such experience that four-year faculty consider two-year faculty to be on the margins of higher education. Neither group considered…

Describes a study attempting to profile community college faculty who were identified by the chief academic officers at their colleges as being committed to the missions of their institutions. Faculty members were asked about their career satisfaction, feelings toward 25 aspects of 2-year college teaching, reasons for teaching at the 2-year…

Presents results from a survey of 703 full-time college faculty from 35 2-year colleges, regarding their backgrounds, interests, professional activities, and perceptions. Finds job satisfaction related to influence at the college, perceptions of students, adverse institutional finances, colleges' intellectual quality, and perception of department…

Summarizes the findings of research studies of faculty perceptions of themselves, their role, and their working conditions, focusing on instructors' desire for more time, more interaction with their colleagues, better professional development opportunities, improved support services, better students, and improved media and materials. (AYC)