Findings
The Office of the Provost is committed to providing faculty with career and professional development opportunities throughout their careers at the University of Pittsburgh. These opportunities support teaching and research, as well as personal and professional growth. The results of the 2016 COACHE survey indicated that nearly half of all Pitt faculty believe there is support for improving teaching, and Pitt ranks in the top third of our cohort comparison group with respect to support for research. The 2016 survey results also indicated that 70% of Pitt faculty believe there are opportunities for collaboration within the department, and 65% believed there are opportunities for collaboration outside the department.
Steps Taken
To strengthen career and professional development for all faculty, the University of Pittsburgh recently became an institutional member of the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (NCFDD). The NCFDD is designed to help faculty—particularly underrepresented faculty, postdocs, and graduate students—thrive in academia. They offer multiple programs, services, and resources, all of which are geared toward becoming successful in academe. The services range from webinars, mentoring, and coaching to more intensive training with their boot camp, known as the Faculty Success Program. All faculty—on all Pitt campuses—can join NCFDD and access the rich resources available through NCFDD.
The Office of the Provost also offers First Monday of the Month professional development workshops for all faculty, with a particular focus on encouraging and facilitating career advancement.
Additionally, the Office has created IMPACT—Institutional Mentoring Program Across a CommuniTy of Color—a new program for faculty of color that emphasizes networking, mentoring, and community building.
Visit the Office of the Provost website for more information about faculty career and professional development programs.