Leadership Paths for Teaching & Clinical Faculty
Dear Faculty Relations: I’m a teaching faculty member with ambitions for leadership. Is there room for that on campus? And if there is, what are my options? —Shaking Things Up
Dear Shaking Things Up: I love that you're asking this question. It's not always easy to find a path to leadership, but these paths do exist. I began my own journey through the Faculty Leadership Institute (FLI), for instance, and I now serve as a faculty fellow in the Office of Faculty Affairs. I also know many teaching faculty members who serve in leadership roles in their units.
Here are three strategies for finding your path as a leader.
- Speak up! Don’t be afraid to share your desire to lead. Look for situations where colleagues are looking for people to solve problems and move campus forward. You might also consider enrolling in ACUMent, the interdepartmental faculty mentoring program offered by Faculty Affairs, or connect with senior colleagues with experience in leadership roles.
- Start in the classroom. As teaching faculty, we have expertise and knowledge about the classroom, so it’s no surprise that leading as a teaching faculty member begins in the classroom. The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) is a great place to connect with other faculty, learn to conduct teaching research, and innovate your curriculum to improve student engagement and learning.
- Focus on your why. Many of us have a habit of working past our capacities, which leads to burnout and dissatisfaction. Instead of always and only saying yes, do your best to remember why you’re doing what you do and choose roles that are intrinsically rewarding. If someone offers you a role, take the time to decide whether the opportunity aligns with your values. If it doesn’t, have the courage to say no.
In short, Shaking Things Up, your leadership journey begins in the classroom, grows through authentic relationships, and thrives when you follow your values. It’s not an easy recipe, but it’s a good one, and we’re here to support and guide you.
Written by Warren Sconiers, Associate Teaching Professor, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, and Faculty Fellow for Teaching and Clinical Faculty, Office of Faculty Affairs