It Takes a Village to Build an Effective Adjunct Community

Abstract

It is understood that not all adjunct faculty seek a full-time position with an institution, nor do they necessarily look for ways to engage with an institution beyond teaching for compensation. This chapter is not intended to explore either of these perspectives, but rather focuses on deepening the engagement of those adjunct faculty interested in collaboration and professional development with the institution or program they serve. Full-time faculty and program leadership are vital to creating conditions to enhance the relationship between adjunct faculty and their academic programs. This chapter offers a first-person account of one academic program leader's reflective journey to support adjunct faculty in a criminal justice program. This chapter shares some techniques used by the author to organize a digital workspace that positions adjunct faculty to engage or participate with the institution and program on their terms. This chapter also offers some proven practices as examples for creating community among adjunct faculty and the institution or program they serve.