The Support of Adjunct Faculty: An Academic Imperative

There is a marked increase in the number of adjunct faculty being hired nationally and internationally, at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, in all academic arenas, including schools of social work. The development and support of adjunct faculty at a school of social work at one flagship university in the United States is discussed and described, including an examination of the issues leading to the increased use of adjuncts; the linkage of adjuncts to tenured faculty in the delivery of classroom teaching and teaching technologies; the inclusion of adjuncts into the broader academic culture; and the specific training, support, and retention needed to improve the quality of teaching done by adjuncts. In addition, linkage of the university to the community is examined as experienced social work practitioners, many of whom represent diverse ethnic and cultural perspectives, bring their seasoned administrative, policy, or clinical skills into the classroom. Systemic effects of these changes within social work academic programs are discussed, as well as broader and more far-reaching implications for social work practice.