Building Collaboration With Adjunct Faculty: Experiences of a Faculty Advisory Board

Abstract

Adjunct faculty feel isolated and disconnected from their institution while not having time to build collaborative relationships and connection with the institution and their peers. Community of practice is a theoretical framework for collaborative learning within groups that results in increased performance for all participants. This theory was used as the foundation for a Faculty Advisory Board (FAB) that was formed at a university in the Southwestern United States. Faculty engagement and collaboration was increased through FAB by creating and presenting professional development workshops and academic initiatives for all faculty. When creating FAB, a proportional representation of adjunct and full-time faculty, along with representation from all colleges, is important. A collaborative community of faculty members is created, which benefits both faculty and the university by providing faculty with more opportunities, while giving faculty space to build community with their colleagues.