Exploring the Factors Affecting New Faculty Success: A Mixed-Method Study

• In Event: Preparing the Next Generation of Faculty

Abstract

The purpose of the current study was to explore the factors contributing to new faculty (first 3 years of employment) success using an exploratory-sequential mixed-methods design. Focus groups involving 18 faculty yielded six factors: work/life balance, understand job expectations, balance at work/time management, “just getting by”, departmental support, and community/job location. Subsequent online surveys involving 50 faculty at a single institution revealed five distinct factors (“just getting by” dropped) with good reliabilities and conceptually meaningful intercorrelations. Female faculty reported a greater struggle for work/life balance. A significant decline in perceived departmental support was found as years of service increased. Finally, a comparison of the factors suggested balance at work/time management has the greatest impact on faculty members’ perceived success.

Authors

• Robert H. Stupnisky, University of North Dakota

• Yuliya Kartoshkina, University of North Dakota

• Masela Obade, University of North Dakota

• Marcus B. Weaver-Hightower, University of North Dakota

• Anne Kelsch, University of North Dakota