Look before you leap: making the transition from administration to faculty

ABSTRACT

Career trajectories within the academic enterprise elicit copious amounts of literature, much of which focuses on individuals who hail from faculty and rise through the academic ranks to college and university administration. However, scholarly discussions that conversely pay attention to administrators who transition to faculty roles are not as abundant even though they may possess unique skills, views, and perspectives that can positively contribute to the student experience. This reflection on practice describes challenges, opportunities, and insights for college and university administrators to make a successful transition to faculty through academic development.

KEYWORDS:

• Administration
• career development
• faculty development
• higher education

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Quincy Martin

Quincy Martin III is an assistant professor and coordinator of the higher education administration doctoral program at Governors State University and previously served as associate vice president for student affairs at Triton College, a two-year public institution located in River Grove, Illinois. During a career spanning nearly 20 years, he has held various positions at both the community college and university levels, managing multiple units, programs, and functions in student affairs. His research interests include higher education and the student experience, with special emphasis on retention of male students of color, student affairs administration, and leadership in higher education.