“STAYIN’ ALIVE” AND THRIVING AT MID-CAREER
Publication Date
1-1-2023
Document Type
Contribution to a Book
Publication Title
Success After Tenure: Supporting Mid-Career Faculty
DOI
10.4324/9781003447238-6
First Page
75
Last Page
96
Abstract
Half a century ago, John Gardner (1963/1981) wrote eloquently and passionately about the need to nurture humans’ ability for self-renewal. In considering university faculty in particular, he stressed the need to strive for the motivation to try; the courage to fail; and, most importantly, the desire to continually evolve. In this chapter, I analyze a fortuitous opportunity at San José State University that addresses the needs of individual faculty and those of their academic institutions. Institutions’ need for faculty members to “step up” into leadership positions may be precisely the next step in a career trajectory that enables mid-career faculty to thrive. This chapter focuses on ways institutions might enable faculty to strive for-and assume-leadership roles as they navigate the second half of their academic careers. These roles may take many forms and may reflect significant contributions spanning the realms of teaching and mentoring; engaging in academic or public scholarship; and providing service to their university, professional, and disciplinary communities in addition to a broader community beyond the academy.
Recommended Citation
Amy Strage. "“STAYIN’ ALIVE” AND THRIVING AT MID-CAREER" Success After Tenure: Supporting Mid-Career Faculty (2023): 75-96. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003447238-6
