Newly Tenured. Now What?
Dear Faculty Relations: At long last, I am the happy recipient of tenure. I have to say, I’m relieved but uncertain as to what comes next. How should I think about the next phase of my career? —Newly Tenured
Dear Newly Tenured: First, congratulations on receiving tenure! Take time to celebrate your accomplishment and pursue new opportunities—like applying for sabbatical, one of the privileges of this stage in your career. When you’re ready, it’s time to set your sights on the next goal—promotion to full professor. This can be challenging: On the one hand, associate professors have tenure, but they can face increased service and responsibilities. Although there is no required timeline for promotion, it is important to note that some leadership positions are only open to full professors, and it may be easier to build on your momentum now.
Let’s start with the requirements for full: “To be promoted to the rank of Professor ... an individual should have the terminal degree appropriate to their field or its equivalent, and:
- a record that, taken as a whole, may be judged to be excellent;
- a record of significant contribution to graduate and undergraduate education...; and
- a record since receiving tenure or promotion to Associate Professor that indicates substantial, significant, and continued growth, development, and accomplishment in teaching (or librarianship), scholarly/creative work, and leadership and service.” (Administrative Policy Statement (APS) 1022)
Next, reach out to your departmental colleagues to better understand what it means to meet the standards for promotion in your unit. You can also seek specific advice about what your particular path could look like from mentors in your department and in the field more broadly.
Finally, remember that the Office of Faculty Affairs offers programs for faculty development that can be especially useful to tenured associate professors, including the Across CU Mentoring (ACUMent) program, which fosters interdisciplinary relationships, and the Faculty Leadership Institute (FLI), which supports emerging leaders. You’ve already accomplished so much—tenure is a testament to your hard work, talent, and perseverance—and this next phase is full of promise.
Written by Francisca Antman, Associate Dean of Faculty Success and Professor of Economics, College of Arts & Sciences