A National Analysis of Endowed Chairs and Distinguished Professors in the Field of Education

Abstract

Noting a gap in the literature, this study examines how race, gender, and prestige are related to endowed and distinguished faculty of education. Specifically, this study seeks to ascertain the makeup of higher education with regard to faculty diversity: what processes are at work that serve to recreate the status quo in terms of faculty of higher education? Or, are higher education faculty members becoming more diverse as homogeneous cohorts retire and heterogeneous cohorts replace them? Using social network theory as a theoretical framework, several hypotheses were set forth. Original data (n = 517) were collected and later analyzed using descriptive as well as inferential non-parametric statistics. The findings of this study are discussed as they relate to the research questions and hypotheses, informed by social network theory. Implications for higher education policy and practice are shared, and directions for future research are considered.

Notes

¹We define elite status in the findings section of this article.

²http://www.jrhasselback.com/FacDir.html

³Endowed positions come with many privileges, such as a dedicated office staff, a robust budget, large amounts of time to think, and minimum teaching responsibilities. See Sam Minner's (2002) self-reflection on holding an endowed professorship. His reflection on holding this position for three years is available here: http://www.aahea.org/articles/endowed.htm

⁴It only examines EC and DP positions in North America. We appreciate the anonymous reviewer who pointed out that these positions sometimes have politicized histories at institutions of higher education. Keeping this in mind, we do not consider EC and DP of education in Canada and other countries, although future researchers may consider this fruitful.

⁵Typically EC and DP positions are given to Full Professors. Earning tenure as an Associate Professor and then obtaining Full Professor status takes time (or “generally takes a minimum of 12 years”), which leads to our hypothesis of 20 years.

⁶The college/university classification of Elite, Competitive, and/or General is explained in the Findings section of the article.

⁷These particular states have a substantial number of elite/prestigious colleges/universities who are known for excellence in research.

⁸http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-education-schools/edu-rankings

⁹Thirteen professors earned doctorates outside the United States: Erna Alant, D.Phil at University of Pretoria, South Africa; Wolfgang Althof, Ph.D. at University of Fribourh, Switzerland; Arthur N. Applebee, Ph.D. at University of London, U.K.; Stephen Brookfield, Ph.D. at University of Leicester, U.K.; Eamonn Callan, Ph.D. at University of Alberta, Canada; Frank Farley, Ph.D. at University of London, U.K.; Andy Hargreaves, Ph.D. at University of Leeds, U.K. ; Paul L. Harris, D. Phil at Oxford University, U.K.; Nonie K. Lesaux, Ph.D. at University of British Columbia, Canada; Peter L. McLaren, Ph.D. at University of Tornoto, Canada; Jonathan Osborne, Ph.D. at King's College, University of London, U.K.; Marek Oziewicz, Ph.D. at University of Wroclaw, Poland; and Roy Pea, D.Phil at Oxford University, U.K.

¹⁰We routinely found articles on the Internet that described the EC/DP and the specific benefactor/donor or partner.

¹¹See http://tinyurl.com/Endowed-Distinguished

¹²Programs like this already exist, such as the American Educational Research Association's Undergraduate Student Education Research Training Workshop. According to its website, this workshop is designed to build the talent pool of undergraduate students who plan to pursue doctorate degrees in education research or in disciplines and fields that examine education issues. Applicants are sought who have potential and interest in pursuing careers as education researchers, faculty members, or other professionals who contribute to the research field. Thus, by beginning the mentoring process earlier, and with diverse students who attend less selective institutions of higher education, the social network of academe may become more diverse than it currently is.

¹³At the time of revising this article, he is now the Shirley B. Barton Endowed Associate Professor.

¹⁴Robert Arnove, Ph.D. at Indiana University-Bloomington; Stephen Jacobson, Ph.D. at University of Buffalo SUNY; Roger L. Geiger, Ph.D. at Pennsylvania State University, University Park; Michael G. Moore, Ph.D. at Pennsylvania State University, University Park; Naomi Zigmond, Ph.D. at University of Pittsburgh; Sigmund Tobias, Ph.D. at University of Albany, SUNY; Patrick Terenzini, Ph.D. at Pennsylvania State University, University Park; Daniel Levy, Ph.D. at University of Albany, SUNY; Greg Duncan, Ph.D. at University of California Irvine; and Gary Orfield, Ph.D. at University of California, Los Angeles hold ECs and DPs that are name only and not funded.