2024 Faces of Faculty: The Higher Education Instructor Experience

Reading Time: 2 minutes

 

A year has passed since we last updated you on the various challenges and evolving norms higher ed faculty members were facing. Our 2024 “Faces of Faculty” report circles back on many of the same topics discussed last year, from shifts in student expectations to overall job satisfaction. This year, 1,355 faculty members provided their perspectives on top issues and changes in higher ed, and what motivates them in the classroom each day.

 

Faculty satisfaction is high

There is one big reason to celebrate: faculty satisfaction has remained high since 2023. Faculty cite teaching as well as advising and mentoring students as top contributors to their happiness this year. In other words, the faculty-student connection continues to have a lasting impact on overall feelings of fulfillment for higher ed instructors. That’s a great win.

Dissatisfaction lingers among some

Some faculty members are still grappling with a lack of institutional support. While most faculty members are satisfied with their jobs this year, those who are dissatisfied are considering a move to the private sector. And with administrative tasks taking up a considerable chunk of their time, faculty members are also feeling discouraged by what little time they have left for efforts that matter to them most, like research.

 

What’s different this year:

• 45 percent of faculty members are using AI in 2024, up from 24 percent in 2023.
• Faculty job satisfaction is high, but 70 percent of dissatisfied faculty members are considering leaving for the private sector, up from 64 percent last year.
• Lack of time or support for research is one of the top five drivers of dissatisfaction for 49 percent of faculty.

 

Overall, faculty members have once again proven they are rockstars when it comes to handling change, overcoming challenges and, most importantly, showing up for their students.

Take a more in-depth look at all of the faculty insights to see what changes have taken place since last year, and what familiar discussion items have remained constant for instructors. Read through the findings in the full report.