Stress and Coping: Early-Career Industrial Engineering Faculty Experiences During the Tenure Process

• In Event: Redefining Academic Expectations: DEI, Belonging, and Faculty Well-Being

Abstract

Mental health in academia, particularly among faculty, remains underexplored despite its critical impact on career progression and well-being. This study addresses this gap by examining stress and coping mechanisms of early-career industrial engineering faculty during the tenure process at R1 institutions. Utilizing a multiple case study design, we conducted semi-structured interviews with two assistant professors to explore their experiences and coping strategies. Guided by the transactional model of stress and coping and engineering education culture frameworks, our research highlights the significant stressors related to tenure expectations and the role of cultural norms in shaping stress experiences. Preliminary findings reveal how faculty members' appraisals and coping strategies are influenced by engineering culture, providing insights into improving support for early-career faculty.

Authors

• Camila Andrea Olivero-Araya, The Ohio State University

• Monique Ross, The Ohio State University