Suggestions for Preparing an Application
Introduction
These general suggestions are offered as a result of the Committee's experience with the form and substance of the promotion applications. They are offered to assist applicants; however, individuals should feel free to develop and present materials as they deem appropriate. Candidates for promotion in rank are required to attend one of the workshops led by members of the committee in the Spring and Fall semesters prior to submitting their application. If unable to attend a scheduled workshop, candidates should contact the committee chair to arrange for an individual meeting. Once the material has been submitted, however, Committee members may not discuss the application. Please note that current Committee members may not write letters of support. If a Committee member is the immediate supervisor, however, see “Supervisor’s Recommendation” section below for the exception to this rule.
Carefully read the guidelines. Consider the CBA description of each rank, and the Promotion Application Checklist (Appendix B). Note the promotion timeline (see Appendix A), which is also distributed to all faculty at the start of each academic year.
Discuss your possible application with your academic supervisor and School Dean. Such consultation should assist you in identifying areas of strength, in determining the level of support for your application, and in constructing the evidence and rationale for the application.
The Committee looks holistically at the application in the context of your academic trajectory and career focus. In your narrative, state your case concisely but with appropriate depth and considerable reflection. Merely stating that you deserve promotion does not convince the Committee. It is important to present evidence that supports your contention. Strive for a tone that is neither defensive nor stridently self-congratulatory. The candidate should clearly explain how he or she met the qualifications in all three areas of teaching, service, and scholarship.
Share information about your education and relevant work experience. Clearly explain this information for committee members who may not be familiar with your line of work or your field and discipline. Organize the remainder of your presentation according to instructional activity, service, and scholarship.
Preface the presentation with a reflective narrative summary that gives an overview of the material to follow. The entire narrative must not exceed 25 pages, (12 pt type, spaced at 1.5) and all statements in the narrative should be supported by evidence in the file box. You should provide information that will assist the Committee in making a judgment that you merit promotion through your discussion. Explain the status of scholarly work, such as a journal/article, book, publisher, gallery/exhibition, or organization to provide context for the committee. For example, if you made a presentation at a national organization in your discipline, please include a statement about the call for proposals and selection criteria. Discuss your professional development career path, core values and insights gleaned as a reflective practitioner. It is the candidate's responsibility to provide all relevant information. The Committee bases its deliberations solely on the materials presented in the box as submitted. The applicant may not add materials after the deadline. The box should only include materials that pertain to the current application and should not include any materials that were included in your prior application for promotion in rank. Make sure each item referenced in the narrative is among the materials submitted for consideration. Please be aware that the committee is carefully reviewing each applicant’s file for the period under consideration.
Address the Criteria
In assessing whether a candidate has met the degree requirements and performance standards for rank, the Committee will refer to the standards set forth in the CBA. Below are guidelines for addressing those criteria.
1. Education
A transcript of your highest degree on file in the appropriate office and reference to such documentation on your resume will provide sufficient documentation. The prevailing practice in higher education acknowledges the doctorate as the terminal degree in many specialties; the MFA is acknowledged as the terminal degree for those teaching in the areas of visual arts, creative writing, filmmaking, dance, theater, and performing arts. Other professional degrees often acknowledged as terminal include the MBA with an additional credential such as a CPA, and the MSW. Individuals offering a master's degree as the terminal degree should submit a rationale for such an equivalency and, if relevant, evidence of the acceptability of that degree as terminal. Such evidence may include statements from the accrediting organizations pertinent to the field of specialty; documentation from two or more comparable higher education institutions that accept the master's degree as a terminal degree in the field; or documentation from the pertinent professional organizations that recognize the master's degree as a direct equivalent to the terminal degree.
2. Teaching
Your application should include a reflective statement of your philosophy of education and documentation of teaching excellence. Please reflect on your style of teaching as it relates to the types of teaching experiences and the syllabi in your box. Include a list of all the courses taught in the previous year. Applicants must include all evaluations from the preceding academic year, including all sections of all classes taught. Please include a representative sample of all courses taught prior to the previous academic year. The sample should represent the range of the time period you are covering. Submit qualitative and quantitative versions of evaluations. The committee pays very close attention to student evaluations and are looking for excellence in both the quantitative and qualitative measures. A representative sample could include the same course in several formats or the development of one course over time. Other instructional activities should also be documented through such evidence as student feedback, study plans, portfolios, and theses.
In documenting your case, please include a statement that assesses your strengths in teaching and describes the efforts you are making to improve your teaching. If there is a thread in course evaluations that is on the negative side, speak to it in this document. Address efforts to change this negative trend.
In addition, statements of peer support or evaluations, unsolicited student letters, a representative sample of course syllabi, and other relevant evidence of teaching accomplishments may all serve as documentation. The academic supervisor and School Dean should address in detail your achievements in teaching.
3. Service in University Community and Larger Professional Community
Your narrative must include a description of your service within the following: your department, your school within the university, cross-university committees/activities, and the external community (if applicable) – e.g., board membership, leadership in professional organizations, and pro bono consulting (NOTE: paid consulting is not considered service, but it may be considered in the “scholarship” section of your narrative.). Your narrative for this section should go beyond a simple list of your service activities. Please state explicitly where and when you have assumed leadership roles and have provided service to the Lesley community and your broader professional community. All applicants applying for promotion should take care to differentiate service from contractual expectations. Present challenges and accomplishments and their relevance to your career. Reflect on the rationale and context of your service activities.
You should include such items as letters of appointment to committees, letters from colleagues and from the professional community that attest to your accomplishments, and letters of acknowledgement expressing appreciation for service. Letters from people outside the University and Lesley-based referees prominent in your field or specialty serve as important documentation. Reviews and unsolicited written comments are also helpful. The recommendation from the academic supervisor and School Dean should address this category in detail.
4. Scholarship
Your resume and application narrative must address your scholarly work. Please refer to the definition of “scholarship” and the characteristics of scholarship, discussed by the Faculty Assembly (see Appendix C). A record of high quality scholarly work is an important qualification for advancement in rank. Documentation for this area should include evidence of scholarship since your last promotion, including research articles, books, or monographs that are either already in print or in press. Please indicate the status of these documents and include letters and/or contracts for publications or exhibits, if possible. Documentation of scholarship may also include conference presentation documentation, photos of artistic productions, exhibition documentation, a portfolio (if you have one), a video, media presentation, or other evidence of artistic achievements, if relevant. When addressing grants, contracts, and fellowships, be specific about your specific role, the impact of the opportunity on your discipline, and your department/division/school.
In your narrative, list your scholarly activities. Reflect on the theoretical frameworks of your scholarship (e.g., what has informed your scholarship, how your theoretical orientation influences your teaching), the relevance of your scholarship to your discipline, and its influence on the field (local, regional, national, and international impact), and how it informs your current teaching. Collaborative work is valued; however, the documentation should allow the Committee to assess your contribution to collaborative work. If you are listed as one of two or more authors, please clarify your role and contribution to the project/product. Identify your contribution and your role in detail.
It is possible that members of the committee will not be familiar with your particular field. Please define it or provide a context for your work in the narrative and provide letters of support from people who are recognized as leading scholars or practitioners in that field. Reviews and unsolicited written comments are also helpful. If you have conducted national workshops, include evaluations if available. If much of your evidence relates to professional activity at the regional or national or international level, letters from distinguished colleagues active in the profession are essential.
Your recommendations from your academic supervisor and School Dean should address this category in detail as well.