Preparing for tenure and promotion at PUI institutions

Area of Science:

• Higher Education
• Faculty Development
• Academic Administration

Background:

• The tenure and promotion (T&P) process at Primarily Undergraduate Institutions (PUIs) involves complex application and dossier preparation.
• Key aspects of the T&P process often rely on informal institutional knowledge, creating disadvantages for faculty lacking access.
• Women and underrepresented minorities in STEM disciplines face particular challenges due to lower representation among senior faculty.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demystify the tenure and promotion (T&P) application process for faculty at Primarily Undergraduate Institutions (PUIs).
• To highlight the critical role of mentoring in supporting faculty through the T&P journey.
• To provide practical guidance for assembling T&P dossiers and documenting faculty development.

Main Methods:

• Discussion of general guidelines for collecting, assembling, and preparing T&P applications.
• Analysis of the importance of institutional knowledge and informal communication in the T&P process.
• Identification of specific materials and steps crucial for documenting faculty achievements.

Main Results:

• Junior faculty without access to informal networks are at a disadvantage in the T&P process.
• Mentoring by senior faculty is vital for navigating the T&P requirements.
• The T&P process requires careful documentation of teaching, research, and service accomplishments.

Conclusions:

• Formalizing guidance on T&P dossier preparation can mitigate disadvantages for junior faculty.
• Strengthening mentoring programs is essential for equitable T&P outcomes, especially for underrepresented groups.
• Clearer documentation strategies can better support faculty advancement at PUIs.