What is Contingent Faculty

Contemporary literature approaches the role of adjunct faculty in higher education institutions from a deficit perspective. Adjunct faculty have reached a tipping point as they are now indispensable in doctoral program development and delivery. Crossing the tipping point requires the adjunct narrative to transition to an asset perspective in order to balance the scales. The consequences and implications of tipping the scales in favor of adjuncts as opposed to tenured faculty are explored in relation to university quality of education, governance, and leveraging the silent voice of adjuncts for the institutional strategy. Recommendations are presented to inform Higher Education Institution leaders and governance boards.