Supporting Adjuncts from a Distance: Adjuncts as Subject Matter Experts & Valued Members of the Northcentral University Community
Northcentral University (NCU), a 100% online, nonprofit institution, declared part-time adjunct faculty as vital actors in carrying out their mission for student success. This realization and subsequent declaration prompted NCU to initiate a task force to explore the working conditions and challenges adjunct faculty face. The task force was comprised of part- time adjunct faculty, full-time faculty, human resources, and leaders from the Office of the Provost. Together, the task force developed three guiding principles to frame their ongoing work: 1) integration into the university community; 2) preparation for their responsibilities as adjunct faculty; and, 3) compensation for their work and university activities.