Case study: adjunct’s perspectives of a mentoring program at a community college

Abstract

ABSTRACTAdjunct faculty use in higher education has been on the rise since the 1970s, with adjuncts teaching 58% of United States community college classes. Yet, adjuncts are consistently excluded from the professional development opportunities offered to their full-time counterparts. For institutions to ensure their students are receiving the best education possible, it is vital to provide resources, access, and points of engagement that enable adjunct instructors to build collegiality. Mentoring is an effective way for institutions to support their adjunct population. I highlighted points of consideration for mentoring programs within higher education by examining the implementation of a mentoring program at a community college in the United States. The purpose of my qualitative case study was to document adjuncts’ experiences while entering a new mentoring program.