Psychological Consultation in Higher Education: Lessons From a University Faculty Development

Abstract

Although psychological and organizational consultation have long been in use in corporate and school settings, there have been few efforts to evaluate these processes in higher education. This article reports on the use of consul- tation to assist university academic departments in engaging in instructional change efforts. The consultation was provided by the staff of a faculty devel- opment center. Four case studies are reported. Overall, faculty in 3 of the 4 departments gave positive evaluations to the consultation experience and the process was well received by upper level campus administrators. In 1 depart- ment consultation produced a dramatic reduction in conflict and an increase in creative instructional experimentation. In 2 others, consultation led to more modest, but significant change. In a final case, consultation had little in- structional impact.