Faculty Affairs and Academic Programs
Holistic Strategy for Academic Success and Retention at UC San Diego
UC San Diego, 2020-2021
Project Principal Investigators
Thandeka Chapman, Associate Professor
Ivan Evans, Professor
Makeba Jones, Associate Teaching Professor
Linda Awdishu, Professor and Chair
Frances Contreras, Professor and Associate Vice Chancellor
Project Abstract
Building on the Center for Faculty Diversity and Inclusion’s existing infrastructure of faculty affinity networks, this project proposes to improve the retention of underrepresented faculty through a Holistic Strategy for Academic Success and Retention at UC San Diego. Through monthly coffee conversations, quarterly webinars, a topic-based mentoring pool, coaching for mentors, and a coalition for aspiring male allies, the project seeks to: 1) Create additional opportunities for connection, mentorship, and sponsorship; 2) Demystify academic policies and dismantle myths around faculty success; and 3) Cultivate self-efficacy, critical agency, and leadership. These activities would complement ongoing institutional change efforts to improve department culture and academic leadership. Engaging faculty in the process of institutional transformation, the project also proposes a unique approach to interpreting the 2020 Academics@UCSD survey results with faculty as partners in sensemaking and strategic action planning. By 2023, project PIs hope to be able to demonstrate improvements in faculty wellbeing, success and engagement.