Adjunct Faculty Promotion

Unranked faculty are hired on a course by course contract and are appointed one of four titles: Adjunct Instructor, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Adjunct Associate Professor, and Adjunct Professor.  Promotions recognize excellence in teaching to which WilmU is committed.  Promotion is normally initiated by the adjunct faculty member, but the Program Chair, Director, and/or Dean can also prompt the process.

Procedure for Requesting Adjunct Promotion

Adjunct Assistant Professor

Promotion from Adjunct Instructor to Adjunct Assistant Professor requires the following:

  • Master’s degree or an appropriate professional degree from an accredited college or university
  • Minimum of two (2) years teaching
  • Minimum of 12 credits taught and the endorsement of the program chair
    • The teaching requirement may be waived if the appointee has obtained a terminal professional degree or the doctorate, demonstrating proven expertise in a subject-matter field and professional competence in instruction
  • Completion of the Essential level of the Pathways to Instructional Excellence (PIE) is required
  • See the section: Considerations for Promotion Criteria

Adjunct Associate Professor

Promotion from Adjunct Assistant Professor to Adjunct Associate Professor requires the following:

  • Master’s degree or an appropriate professional degree from an accredited college or university, plus evidence of post-master’s training
  • Minimum of three years teaching with the title of Adjunct Assistant Professor
  • Minimum of 60 credits taught (or the equivalent as determined by the Dean)
    • Exceptions to this requirement will be considered if particular courses are offered infrequently
  • Completion of the Essential and Proficient levels of the Pathways to Excellence (PIE)
  • Evidence of teaching effectiveness, professional growth in one’s field of expertise and in post-secondary teaching, and service to students, faculty and the University
  • See the section: Considerations for Promotion Criteria

Adjunct Professor

Promotion from Adjunct Associate Professor to Adjunct Professor requires the following:

  • Earned doctorate or an appropriate terminal professional degree from an accredited college or university, or accomplishments that are considered equivalent
  • Minimum of four years teaching at the rank of Adjunct Associate Professor at 黑洞社区
  • Minimum of 120 credits taught (or equivalent as determined by the Dean).
    • Exceptions to this requirement will be considered if particular courses are offered infrequently
  • Completion of the Essential, Proficient, and Mastery levels of the Pathways to Excellence (PIE)
  • Evidence of teaching effectiveness, professional growth in one’s field of expertise and in post-secondary teaching, and service to students, faculty and the University. See considerations
  • See the section: Considerations for Promotion Criteria

Adjunct Professor Emeritus

This rank may be assigned to Adjunct Associate Professors or Adjunct Professors who have limited or terminated their responsibilities as a faculty member for valid reasons (e.g., retirement, illness) after fifteen years or more of distinguished service to the University.  An Emeritus is appointed by the President upon the recommendation of the Chief Academic Office in consultation with appropriate Dean.  Completion of the Essential, Proficient, Mastery, and Exemplary levels of the Pathways to Excellence (PIE) is required. 

Additional Considerations for Promotion Criteria

Additional considerations are identified by Academic Colleges.

  1. Teaching Quality (All Levels)
    • The student evaluation of Teaching Effectiveness trends favorably, on the average, for each course taught and is evidenced by achieving and/or exceeding the established benchmark within their College and the Academic Affairs Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE).
  2. Adherence to WU policies and procedures (All Levels)
    • Syllabi consistently submitted on time
    • Grades consistently submitted on time
    • Outcomes Assessment data consistently submitted on time
    • Grading in accordance with WU guidelines
  3. Use of technology (All Levels)
    • Successful completion of the 黑洞社区’s Learning Management System (LMS)
    • Integration of the LMS features into teaching/managing courses
    • Utilization of other technology in the classroom (all modalities)
    • Utilization of 黑洞社区 email
  4. Professional growth in post-secondary teaching (All Levels)
    • Completion of the required levels required levels of the Pathways to Instructional Excellence program as specified in the requirements for each promotion level Regular attendance at WU Faculty Development Days
    • Regular attendance at other WU programs for enhancement of teaching
    • Regular attendance at non-WU programs for enhancement of teaching
    • Regular attendance at College and Program-specific meetings
  5. Professional growth in field of expertise
    • Adjunct Assistant Professor to Adjunct Associate Professor – (minimum of 1 or more)
    • Adjunct Associate Professor to Adjunct Professor – (minimum of 2 or more)
    • Examples:
      • Minimum attainment of a Master’s or higher degree in field of expertise
      • Attainment of doctoral degree or active pursuit toward advanced/post-Master’s education
      • Specialty certification earned and/or earned specialty education in field
      • Professional recognition from the private sector
      • Attendance at professional events/conferences related to course-content area facilitated/taught at 黑洞社区
      • Volunteerism