Faculty Issues: The Impact on Minorities

Slippage in the educational pipeline significantly reduces the number of minority candidates available for faculty positions. Strategies for reducing that slippage include institutional commitment, early identification and recruitment, grow-your-own programs, and a variety of pre- and postdoctoral financial aid plans. Beyond employing more minority faculty members, institutions must develop sound retention strategies to ensure a positive environment for meeting tenure and promotion criteria. Minority faculty members can help institutions improve baccalaureate opportunities for all students through excellent teaching, mentoring, and intrusive advising.