How Do Higher Education Institutions Attract Expert Faculty Members

College systems worldwide recognize the role teachers play in shaping the minds of students. They teach and train students to prepare them for a life outside the confines of the school. The quality of students an institution produces can be attributed to the quality of teachers employed by them. Teachers facilitate the learning process so it is necessary that they possess the required expertise on the subject being taught. A teacher cannot efficiently teach what he does not know. There is a growing demand for expert professionals to be members of the faculty because of the need to provide a quality education. A quality education is only possible by hiring experts to teach on the subject of their expertise.

Teaching is a noble profession. However, most experts refuse to teach. As such, higher educational institutions must think of ways on how to attract these experts to teach and become members of their faculty. First, the school must build up their reputation. A good reputation among the various college systems will encourage the expert to accept a teaching position. A reputable school will bring honor and prestige to the experts' profession. Second, offer a salary package that is hard to refuse. Experts know their worth and the school recognizes such worth. The salary must be commensurate to the expertise and skills of the person. It must not be too low as to insult the person or too high to be unrealistic. Third, aside from the salary, provide other incentives such as free living quarters, transportation allowance, good office space, student assistants or discounts for any family member enrolled in the college or university, to name a few. Fourth, improve the school's facilities. Provide the expert with the facilities and equipment needed in the subject to be taught. This will give the impression that the school is serious in obtaining his services. Also, the facilities will benefit not only the expert but the students as well. Fifth, give the expert academic freedom. Give the expert control as to what to teach and the method of teaching for as long as it is still in accordance with the school's curriculum. Minimal or no interference from the school enables the expert to focus on teaching without having to worry about the school's approval. Remember that the expert is hired precisely because of his expertise. Less control gives the expert the free-hand to determine on the applicable style of teaching that is most beneficial to the students. Sixth, a rigorous curriculum that can easily adapt to the changing times. The curriculum must be flexible enough to allow changes required by the changing needs of the students. Seventh, an open communication between the expert and the administrator of the higher educational institution will result to a good working relationship. A good working relationship between the institution and the expert guarantees an effective and efficient learning environment for the students. Eight, set standards of excellence for the students. Experts are attracted to schools with students who excel academically. Colleges and universities with well-known alumnus is also a plus. Experts will not hesitate to associate their names with schools famous for producing top students.

Hiring an expert to be a member of the faculty boosts a schools' morale and reputation. Aside from the possibility of increasing the number of enrollees, it also paves the way for a quality education because the students are being taught by the best in their respective fields. Colleges and universities must strive hard to entice these experts to be part of their faculty. A quality education is learning from the best skilled teachers.

Higher Education Faculty Experts Directories

1. University of California Irvine Faculty Profiles
2. University of Wisconsin-Madison Experts Database
3. Washington State University Experts Directory