Why Invest in Faculty/Leader Development?
Investing in faculty professional/leadership development yields significant returns on investment for engagement and directly addresses root causes of working conditions that led to “The Great Resignation.” Effective faculty/leadership development empowers faculty to: shape their individual trajectories; contribute to the improvement of their departments/schools/colleges through gained ownership; and contribute to a positive work culture. Investing in faculty/leadership development increases job satisfaction, reduces burnout, and signals to faculty that universities are prioritizing their needs.
High Return on Investment (ROI): Faculty development is an investment that yields significant returns, particularly in terms of faculty engagement.
Addressing “The Great Resignation”: Faculty development helps to mitigate the root causes of conditions that contributed to “The Great Resignation,” (empowered faculty are less likely to leave).
Empowerment and Ownership: Effective faculty/leadership development empowers faculty by allowing them to: influence their own paths; focus on their individual strengths to also strengthen their academic units; and participate in and contribute to a positive climate/work environment.
By investing in faculty development, departments/schools/colleges signal to their faculty/leaders that their needs are being prioritized. Faculty/leadership development is not just a perk, but a strategic investment.