Overview

The individual achievements of faculty members are paramount to a university’s success, but the work that they do as members of the institution is equally vital in creating the benefits that higher education brings to our society as communities of learning. Numerous studies have shown that faculty members that engage students in experiences, challenge students academically, and engage in enriching educational experiences have been found to report higher levels of engagement and learning at institutions. Compounding the challenge for institutions, the rate of growth of students, academic performance, and placement figures of an institution are directly proportional to the experience and expertise of an institute’s faculty. As it is the members of the teaching staff that initiate the knowledge transfer, it is important for institutions to ensure that they are able to identify the key traits and practices required to build and retain industrious professors across disciplines.