Tag: belonging

Mentoring New Faculty in Post-Pandemic Academia: Applications and Strategies for Mentors, Administrators, and Faculty Developers

The research on mentorship in the professoriate is extensive and substantial. New faculty benefit from having sustained and focused interactions with a more knowledgeable other who is able to shepherd them through the induction phase of their academic career. Professional support, collaboration, and sponsorship have always been critical, but this need is even more pronounced in the isolating times of the pandemic. During the 2020-2022 academic years, junior faculty were asked to navigate new spaces which would be exceedingly trying under normal circumstances, but even more so while under severe restrictions. This paper will examine the usefulness of alternative ways of mentoring that can assist incoming faculty. Strategies for administrators and senior faculty responsible for facilitating these connections will be explored.

How Faculty Create Learning Environments for Diversity and Inclusion

The demographics of college campuses are changing and necessitate faculty provide a safe and inclusive environment for learning. The purpose of this study was to examine how faculty establish a sense of belonging in their classrooms, using focus group methodology to explore issues of power, privilege, and access at the postsecondary level. Faculty (N = 33) representing multiple identity groups discussed opportunities and challenges in effectively reaching diverse groups of students. Three thematic categories emerged illustrating how faculty prepare their courses for inclusive content, develop in-class instructional practices including methods regarding assessment, and believe in professional responsibility through persistent role modeling.