ISECON Cultivating an MIS Faculty for a Tenure-Eligible Position At a Small Private College Liang Chee Wee Julie Jensen Charles Christianson Economics and Business Department Luther College, Decorah IA 52101

ISECON Presentation Why did we do it? The Cultivating Process Department’s and College’s Assessment Candidate’s Assessment Where are we? Questions & Answers

ISECON Why did we do it? Demands for MIS faculty members outpace supplies Decline in doctoral students vs. Increase in average salaries Competition with larger schools Desire stability in staffing Solution: cultivate our own MIS faculty member

ISECON The Cultivating Process Set hiring qualifications: –Master’s degree in MIS or a related field –Industry experience –Teaching experience preferred Spread the word to locate potential candidates Outline expectations

ISECON Provide support to candidate: –Mentoring by senior colleagues –Searching for an appropriate graduate program –Scheduling of teaching assignments –Arranging release time and leave –Providing monetary funding

ISECON College & Department Assessment Flexibility in plan and time-line important to progress Financial support must be committed Teaching load should be appropriate Scholarship expectations should be clearly stated Candidate’s commitment is crucial

ISECON Benefits to the institution must outweigh costs ?Would the department support such arrangement again?  Must be evaluated on a case- by-base basis

ISECON Candidate’s Assessment Picking a program and getting college endorsement Necessary support Personal considerations

ISECON Picking a Program & Getting Endorsement Establish clear goals for graduate work –Personal goals and college goals Assess the flexibility of a program in scheduling, respecting candidate goals, and tailoring content Show how a selected program is the best fit given all considerations of the individual and the college

ISECON Necessary Support Full department and administrative support of the model Willingness to adjust teaching schedule to travel schedule Consistency in preps and load Clear priorities of graduate work vs. teaching Release time at certain points in the program and protection from duties beyond the teaching load

ISECON Flexibility in timelines because of variables – program offering schedule, potential committee difficulties, etc. Financial support Mentoring from senior faculty members on the doctoral process (particularly to offset the loss of community with other grad students) Mental health!!!

ISECON Personal Considerations Time commitment and sacrifice of other priorities, commitments Acceptance of satisficing work as a teacher and student Balance of getting through a program in a timely manner without burning out Finances depending on family income, commitments and college support Long-term goals and ROI

ISECON Where are we? Julie is teaching one introductory course this fall She passed her comprehensive exam in late October 2003 Her dissertation phase starts She is back to full-time teaching next spring