There are two types of academic administrators at community colleges — those who trust faculty members and those who don’t — writes Rob Jenkins, an associate professor of English and director of the Writers Institute at Georgia Perimeter College, in a recent Careers column. Which type are you?
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George David Clark
is a Ph.D. candidate in English at Texas Tech University. He is also a fellow in creative writing at Colgate University. He will defend his dissertation this spring.
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David Evans
is vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty at Buena Vista University, in Iowa.
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Gene Fant
is vice president for academic administration at Union University, in Jackson, Tenn.
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Isaac Sweeney
is an assistant professor of English at Richard Bland College, a two-year institution in Virginia.
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Rob Jenkins
is an associate professor of English at Georgia Perimeter College.
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Katharine Stewart
is a professor and associate dean for academic affairs at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences' College of Public Health.
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Audrey Williams June
is a staff writer who covers the academic workplace.
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Eliana Osborn
has been an adjunct instructor at Arizona Western College since 2001, teaching mostly developmental English.
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Julie White
is assistant director of student services and an adjunct instructor of sociology at Monroe Community College in New York.
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Allison M. Vaillancourt
is vice president for human resources at the University of Arizona, in Tucson.
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10 Responses to A Matter of Trust
electronicmuse - March 16, 2011 at 8:42 am
“Overformalized?” Wow! I’m “old school” enough to imagine that studying an average of five (5) hours per week won’t position USA students to thrive in the intensely competitive global job market. Most reflective teachers realize the value of “play,” and that student-student interactions have terrific value in the educational process. But, when there is essentially nothing entered into the “subconcious computer” we all have, not much of value is going to accrue due to social interactions among know-nothings. Nothing in-nothing out.
Perhaps the greatest “awareness of diversity” USA students will experience if this line of thought is countenanced, will be how badly they will be beaten like drums by students from “diverse” cultures that don’t subscribe to such threadbare apologia for the current “Five Year Party” culture.
greensubmarine - November 17, 2011 at 3:13 pm
I’ve been involved in departments where (part of) this process is semi-formalized; i.e., the chair will periodically ask everyone for “brag sheets” which can then be accrued and circulated among the faculty, put in the newsletter, and exposed to the higher-ups in the administration. I’ve found that such a mechanism takes some of the ickyness out of touting one’s own accomplishments. Everyone is doing it, someone else is asking, and its understood to be motivated by the common good of the department rather than selfishness.
blesstayo - November 17, 2011 at 6:05 pm
If you don’t promote your good work while you are alive, you might be lucky if ALL your accomplishments are outlined in the obituary sections of news media! Celebrate your good life, treat yourself out to nice diners for all accomplishments.
11223435 - November 17, 2011 at 6:41 pm
Quick, Lesboprof–correct that “baited breath” phrase before some academic vaudevillian asks if you’ve been eating crickets or worms!!!
lesboprof - November 17, 2011 at 11:16 pm
Yes, I agree. I think this is definitely one way to go.
lesboprof - November 17, 2011 at 11:21 pm
Ugh. Done. Thanks!
kosboot - November 20, 2011 at 1:58 pm
I think your post is not only relevant – but should be a mandatory course in every undergraduate program. It can be a struggle for students to survive the educational system. Having a course that makes them conscious of the image they construct and project to others (and how to read such images and the messages they convey) can contribute to crafting not only an academic/professional image, but could also help create self-esteem and self-confidence. They are qualities you need not just after you leave school but even navigating the educational system.
Since you’re an administrator, Lesboprof, you’re positioned to make it a reality in your institution. Go for it!
lydiatimmins - November 21, 2011 at 11:44 am
Self-promotion is not always “shameless”. How will anyone know what I accomplish if I don’t tell them? It’s not like a magic fairy waves a wand and suddenly everyone is aware of what I’ve done (sorry, I have a 3-year-old daughter and everything is about fairies!)
I send links to my colleagues if I think they will like them. Gee, I hope I’m not being shameless!
henry_adams - November 23, 2011 at 12:43 pm
This method is especially good for those who don’t promote themselves and otherwise would go unnoticed by the people in power.
Henry Adams
henry_adams - November 23, 2011 at 12:46 pm
You aren’t being shameless. You are being realistic.
Henry Adams