Celebrating Two Decades of Faculty-Focused Change
Looking Back & Moving Forward highlights two decades of data-driven insights helping colleges and universities better understand and support their faculty.
The Collaborative on Academic Careers in Higher Education (COACHE) has recently released its 20th Anniversary Impact Report. This significant document chronicles 20 years of partnership with a multitude of institutions, capturing millions of data points from hundreds of thousands of faculty members. The insights gained have been instrumental in shaping a better understanding of the faculty experience and enhancing institutional support systems.
The report traces COACHE's journey from its inception focused on faculty satisfaction to its current prominent role as a trusted partner for institutional transformation, governance, and academic leadership across the nation.
R. Todd Benson, Ed.D., senior director and co-principal investigator at COACHE, emphasizes that this initiative has revolutionized the way institutions approach faculty satisfaction and success. What was once viewed as anecdotal is now measurable and actionable. "We've fostered a national dialogue around faculty experience that is grounded in data, transparency, and collaboration. Faculty well-being isn't merely a preference; it's essential for sustainability in our institutions," he remarked.
Transforming Data into Institutional Action
COACHE operates on a guiding principle expressed by Mark McNamee, the former provost at a renowned institution: Higher education is filled with data, yet many institutions lack the strategies to leverage this data meaningfully. This principle remains central to COACHE’s mission.
Through its Faculty Job Satisfaction Survey and Faculty Retention and Exit Survey, COACHE equips institutional leaders with critical data-driven insights that lead to transformational changes. This has resulted in strengthened mentoring programs, clarified promotion processes, improved communication channels, and advanced diversity initiatives.
Surveys conducted by COACHE follow a three-year cycle and typically take only 22 to 25 minutes for faculty members to complete. Anonymity is a key feature, ensuring that every perspective is represented. Participating institutions receive comprehensive digital reports, interactive dashboards, and opportunities for deeper analyses through de-identified data sets.
Benson highlights the importance of democratizing data: "Making it accessible and transparent creates a foundation of trust. Trust is critical to institutional health and resilience." This emphasis on transparency has helped cultivate a supportive campus culture.
Insights from the 20th Anniversary Impact Report
Key findings from the report reveal several essential truths.
- Transparency drives trust. Institutions that share COACHE data widely, addressing both strengths and weaknesses, cultivate robust campus cultures.
- Faculty inclusion is crucial. Engaging faculty early in the data collection and interpretation processes fosters effective and lasting policy changes.
- Shared governance thrives on clarity. Effective governance is closely tied to transparent roles and processes that genuinely consider faculty perspectives.
- Leadership development is vital. While few train specifically to become provosts, the role is pivotal in nurturing faculty success. COACHE encourages leaders to share strategies and learn from each other in a collaborative environment.
- Equity as a priority. The data shows diverse experiences among faculty groups, impacting their research and the student learning environment. Addressing these disparities is central to COACHE's mission.
- Context matters. COACHE emphasizes the importance of interpreting faculty data within each institution’s unique environment for meaningful improvements.
Over two decades, COACHE has expanded its services beyond research to offer resources, training, and frameworks that guide institutional leaders in addressing faculty-related issues and strategic planning.
Benson underscores the notion that faculty should be viewed as problem-solvers rather than problems themselves: "Involving faculty early in the process leads to better decision-making. Their contributions are invaluable." COACHE’s community of practice fosters a space where leaders candidly share solutions and enhance their leadership capacity.
Looking Ahead
As it embarks on the next phase, COACHE calls for a redefinition of how faculty are portrayed in public discourse. Benson notes, "Often faculty are misrepresented in the media. Our data showcases them as engaged problem-solvers dedicated to institutional improvement. Our future work will focus on conveying these narratives more widely."
COACHE's mission continues to center around transparency, inclusion, and partnership. Benson states, "We aim to make higher education the best possible workplace for its faculty because they are the foundation of our success. This is the path forward we wholeheartedly embrace."
About COACHE
The Collaborative on Academic Careers in Higher Education (COACHE) is a research-practice partnership at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. For over 20 years, COACHE has empowered colleges and universities to enrich the faculty experience. Through its Faculty Job Satisfaction and Faculty Retention and Exit surveys, it offers data-driven insights that enhance mentoring, governance practices, equity, and overall faculty well-being. With vast data from thousands of faculty across the country, COACHE stands as a leading authority on the faculty workplace in higher education.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is COACHE's primary function?
COACHE focuses on enhancing the faculty experience in higher education through data-driven insights and partnerships with institutions.
How long has COACHE been operational?
COACHE has been operational for over 20 years, fostering institutional transformation and support for faculty.
What types of surveys does COACHE conduct?
COACHE conducts the Faculty Job Satisfaction Survey and Faculty Retention and Exit Survey to gather data on faculty experiences.
Why is transparency important in COACHE's work?
Transparency helps build trust within institutions, enabling open dialogue and effective decision-making based on data.
What future goals does COACHE have?
COACHE aims to redefine faculty representation in public discourse and continues to prioritize transparency, inclusion, and partnership.
