Leadership development for faculty often is designed as training for administration, but faculty demonstrate leadership in the classroom, in their departments, college-wide, and beyond. To fully realize and leverage this leadership potential, colleges must design opportunities for faculty to hone their knowledge and skills as active participants…

This study explored how participating in a faculty development course based on improvisational theatre affects college instructors' ability to increase student engagement and learning. Theoretical foundations included engagement, active learning, collaboration and social interaction, the art of improvisational theater, and the practice of applied…

The purpose of this article is to present the results of a study that examined the influence of a multi-stage, equity-focused professional development program on the beliefs and understandings about issues of equity and classroom practices among 28 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) community college faculty members. The…

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand if and how community college faculty construct work-life balance, as our review of the literature pointed toward a lack of research on this topic. Twenty-eight community college faculty members were interviewed, and six major findings were generated through the data analysis. Metaphors…

During the next five to ten years, community colleges in Illinois will retire more than half of their tenured faculty members, reflecting a similar national trend. Many masters and doctoral students seeking the professorate may consider community colleges as an attractive teaching opportunity. While community colleges often regard themselves as…

Faculty development research historically reported details on the types of programming available and the format of delivery. This research instead sought to uncover the underpinnings of the goals behind development efforts at community colleges. Findings indicate that teaching and learning issues remain central, with faculty interests serving as…

Describes the Ferris State University (Michigan) New Faculty Transition Program, in which incoming faculty members meet every two weeks during the fall and winter semesters and attend an academic retreat. Reports that the program is in its fourth year and has been recognized as an important part of first-year faculty members' transition into the…

Using a review of current literature, this article discusses faculty preparation and higher education's commitment to pedagogical instruction and skill development. Identifies 19 institutions that offer graduate degree programs, exclusive of the Doctor of Arts, intended to prepare college faculty. Asserts that the teaching disciplines must…

Describes a faculty development program designed specifically for engineering faculty and implemented on an eight-campus coalition of engineering schools. Reports that, in the five years of the program's existence, a large percentage of the faculty has participated and adopted proven but nontraditional teaching practices. Offers suggestions to…

Defines problem-based learning (PBL) as an instructional method in which problems provide the context for students to develop skills and knowledge. Describes a study that examined whether students perceived that PBL courses were more effective than non-PBL courses at helping them develop specific outcomes. Reports that PBL students' perception of…

Reports on effects of educational interventions on faculty and administration knowledge of, and attitude toward, student course evaluations. Aims to assess whether attitudes can be changed through education. Results suggest that interventions were effective, and even moderate instruction had the effect of improving attitudes toward student…

Provides overview of process of switching from paper-based grade reporting to computer-based grading. Authors found that paperless grading decreased number of errors, made student access more immediate, and reduced costs incurred by purchasing and storing grade-scanning sheets. Authors also argue that direct entry grading encourages faculty to…

Describes the process by which one institution created a comprehensive faculty development program by systematically following general guidelines drawn from the literature. Makes recommendations for developing a task force and initiating a program. Design and development of program conforms to four generic characteristics of faculty development…

Uses quantitative and qualitative methods to analyze interview and survey data concerning best practices, goals, purposes, and influences among faculty developers in the U.S. and Canada. Presents the current state of the field, an interpretation of its meaning, and recommendations for future directions. Authors sent out 976 surveys; 249 were…

Attempts to identify the impact of one sabbatical recipient's leave on those around the faculty member, including fellow faculty, department chairs, deans, other administrators, and students. Examines outcomes in relation to teaching, campus citizenship, and research. Research instrument is appended. (Contains 15 references, two figures, and three…