Faculty Development
We value our faculty and we are committed to their professional growth and development.
We know our department is only as strong and successful as our dedicated faculty. Every faculty member contributes to our key missions.
- Education
- Advancement of science
- Clinical care
- Other essential services
That's why we're committed to recruiting and hiring the best qualified experts and investing in their professional growth. We believe that focusing on individual development will lead to collective improvement. One of the ways we accomplish this goal is through mentoring. Our faculty mentoring process is a department-wide effort that involves everyone from the chair to faculty peers to trainees.
Role of the department chair
The department chair is responsible for assisting all faculty members with advice about professional development. Here are some of the ways the chair provides that guidance.
- Annual assessments
- Ad hoc advice
- Strategic program planning
Division directors
Each division director is responsible for day-to-day faculty development by supporting faculty members as they perform their responsibilities and work to continue to improve their performance.
Faculty Mentors
Because we believe mentors are a key ingredient in the success of many junior faculty, we assign senior faculty members to provide guidance, advice, leadership and support to help them develop to their fullest potential.
Department Promotion and Tenure Committee
The department's Promotion and Tenure Committee reviews mid-cycle and formal applications from faculty who are being considered for promotion and/or tenure. The committee reports its findings to the chair of the department and the KU School of Medicine's Promotion and Tenure Committee.
Professional development opportunities
Our department actively sponsors continuing professional education activities as well as opportunities for presentation and critique of research and educational endeavors. Feedback from trainees on faculty performance also is built into our educational programs.
We strongly encourage faculty members to present at professional meetings and educational programs as well as participate in community service activities.
In addition, we have an active Faculty Professional Development Committee that continually engages faculty members through activities such as award recognition, scholarly activities, departmental cohesion and faculty mentoring.
More resources
Check out these additional resources for more details about how we help our faculty learn and grow.