\n Published: 3\/13\/2024\n <\/p>\n
Reading Time: <\/span> 3<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Adjunct professors are a hardy bunch. It\u2019s not news to anyone in higher education that adjuncts must deal with the uncertainty and variability that comes with lack of tenure. Compounding these factors, adjunct faculty, like all faculty, are tasked with teaching students whose needs and expectations are different from those of previous generations. Here are a few quick facts about the challenges of adjunct life today:<\/p>\n Given these undeniable challenges surrounding adjunct life, we wanted to hear from them directly. So, in our annual Faces of Faculty<\/a> survey, we ask adjuncts from two- and four-year institutions around the country to tell us how it\u2019s going in their working lives? Here are the top things we heard from adjunct faculty this year. (Spoiler \u2013 while there are some difficulties, it\u2019s not all<\/em> bad news.)<\/p>\n Some 15%<\/a> of adjuncts say they are teaching fewer courses than last year \u2013 compared to 9% of faculty overall. This points to a decline in overall earnings for a group of professionals who rely on course \u2013 and therefore paycheck \u2013 stability.<\/p>\n Despite the above reality, adjuncts are spending a significant part of their workday on course preparation (32% of the workday).<\/p>\n From the potential of GenAI-derived plagiarism<\/a>, to abuse of deadlines and an increasing need to be \u201calways on\u201d for students, it sometimes seems that the only constant in faculty life is change. Yet, despite the changing norms governing higher education, adjuncts are rising to the challenge and ensuring their students have everything they need to succeed.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI found that it was necessary to have more one-on-one communication with students about grades and missing assignments than was needed in the past. Students seem less able to organize themselves, even with all of the digital tools available.\u201d \u2013 Adjunct Professor, Texas<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The majority<\/a> of adjuncts (67%) reported that teaching students is among the most satisfying components of their role. Other elements they find appealing include the professional autonomy that comes with the job (47%), and the ability to advise and mentor students and student groups (27%).<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI enjoy what I do, especially when I make a good connection with my students\u2026\u201d \u2013 Adjunct Professor, California<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The bottom line for institutions? Adjuncts are hard-working, resourceful and many of them enjoy their job. Yet, given their often-tenuous professional circumstances, they could benefit from extra support<\/a>. Whether that comes in the form of enhanced professional development opportunities and mentorship, financial reimbursement for time spent training or performing extra duties, or opportunities to stabilize their course load in a way that works for their financial and personal needs \u2014 every institution can improve the overall state of higher education by ensuring that these experienced and dedicated professionals understand their value and worth as educators, and are in turn given the chance to shine.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n In our annual \u201cFaces of Faculty\u201d report, we explore what it\u2019s like to be an educator in the evolving higher ed landscape. Want to explore more of our findings on adjunct life, plus all of this year\u2019s \u201cFaces of Faculty\u201d results?<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \n <\/div>\n\n
Adjuncts are teaching fewer courses than before <\/strong><\/h2>\n
Day to day, they\u2019re spending a large chunk of time preparing <\/strong><\/h2>\n
They are going above and beyond, despite changing student norms<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Adjuncts value teaching students above all else <\/strong><\/h2>\n
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![\"Faces](\"https:\/\/blog.cengage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/faces-of-faculty-thumbnail-e1710264779751.png\")
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