The Grass is Always Greener on the Other Side of the Fence: Making a Transition from Student Affairs Administrator to Full-Time Faculty

Publications

ISSN 0027-6021

AUTHOR:
Phyllis McCluskey-Titus and Tony W. Cawthon

TITLE:
The Grass is Always Greener on the Other Side of the Fence: Making a Transition from Student Affairs Administrator to Full-Time Faculty

SUGGESTED CITATION:
McCluskey-Titus, P. , Cawthon, T. W. (2003). The Grass is Always Greener on the Other Side of the Fence: Making a Transition from Student Affairs Administrator to Full-Time Faculty. NASPA Journal, 41(2), Art. 7. Retrieved September 09, 2008, from http://publications.naspa.org/naspajournal/vol41/iss2/art7

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ABSTRACT:
A research study was conducted using the small population of current graduate preparation faculty who were both NASPA members and former student affairs practitioners (n=38). The purpose of this study was to discover the benefits and challenges faced by practitioners when moving from an administrative position to a full-time faculty position in a student personnel preparation program. The following subjects were considered in this study: factors respondents considered when moving to a full-time faculty position, challenges respondents encountered in making the career change, differences between former administrative positions and current faculty positions, and type of preparation respondents reported were necessary for success in a faculty role. Some of the positive differences respondents described included: control over their quality of life, the ability to focus on teaching and research, and the ability to contribute to the profession. Certain challenges were recounted by respondents such as adjusting to the faculty culture and work expectations, development of a research agenda, having fewer resources as a full-time faculty member, and a difference in quality and nature of relationships.

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