Post-Tenure Pathfinders
The Post-Tenure Pathfinders Program is a 12-week virtual program designed to provide recently tenured faculty and mid-career academics with the space to reflect, explore possibilities, and build the support network necessary to move confidently into the next chapter of their careers.
Defining Your Next Chapter in Academia with Clarity and Confidence
After years of working toward tenure, many faculty find themselves uncertain about their next steps or feeling pressure to take on more responsibilities without a clear sense of direction. The Post-Tenure Pathfinders Program provides the space, structure, and support needed to make intentional career decisions—whether deepening your research, stepping into leadership, or pursuing a new academic direction.
Through expert coaching, guided reflection, and a supportive community, this program helps faculty move beyond the tenure-track mindset and design a post-tenure career that is fulfilling, sustainable, and aligned with their personal and professional aspirations.
Why Post-Tenure Pathfinders?
Participants leave the program feeling more focused, motivated, and prepared to take meaningful steps toward the next phase of their career. Benefits include:
- Clarity on Your Career Direction
Move beyond uncertainty and define a future that aligns with your values and ambitions. - Stronger Leadership & Decision-Making Skills
Learn how to identify the right opportunities and confidently set boundaries. - Renewed Motivation & Purpose
Rediscover passion for your work and develop a clear vision for your long-term success. - Increased Career Satisfaction
Transition from feeling stuck or overwhelmed to taking intentional steps that support professional and personal well-being. - A Lasting Professional Network
Connect with like-minded faculty who share similar goals and challenges, offering continued support beyond the program.
What’s Included in Post-Tenure Pathfinders
This program offers a structured, supportive environment where faculty can reflect, explore, and plan for their post-tenure career with clarity and confidence. Participants can expect:
Guided Reflection & Career Mapping
Take a step back to assess your values, goals, and aspirations beyond tenure.
Exploring New Professional Pathways
Identify and evaluate possible directions in research, leadership, mentoring, or public engagement.
Redefining Success Post-Tenure
Shift from a tenure-track mindset to one that supports long-term fulfillment and professional growth.
Mentoring & Networking
Build meaningful relationships and create a support system that aligns with your evolving career goals.
Personalized Action Plan
Develop a strategic, individualized plan to move forward with confidence and purpose.
Peer Cohort & Community Support
Engage with faculty at similar career stages, sharing experiences and insights in a collaborative environment.
From Faculty to Chair: Support for the Transition
Department chairs are often appointed without training, yet expected to manage people, budgets, conflict, and strategic priorities from day one. The Department Chair Success Program (CSP) was designed to close that gap, offering practical tools, mentorship, and community support that help academic leaders succeed in one of higher ed’s most demanding roles.
- Build Critical Leadership Skills: From resource management to faculty development, CSP covers the real-world challenges chairs face.
- Learn From Experienced Chairs: Every cohort is guided by a certified chair coach who’s been in the role.
- Create a Network of Support: Connect with peers navigating similar transitions and challenges.
Help your department chairs lead with clarity, confidence, and care.
Related Services
Institutional Membership
Provide faculty at your institution with year-round access to NCFDD’s full suite of resources, including webinars, writing challenges, and private discussion forums.
Designed for:
Graduate students | Early Career | Alt-ac | Tenure Track | Mid-Career Faculty | Senior Faculty
Faculty Success Program
A structured 10-week program that helps faculty build sustainable writing habits, increase productivity, and maintain work-life balance—enhancing the benefits of institutional membership.
Designed for:
Alt-ac | Tenure Track | Mid-Career Faculty | Faculty Leaders | Senior Faculty
“To me, the greatest benefit of participating in the Post-Tenure Pathfinders Program was that it helped clarify my goals and prioritize where I place my energy for this phase of my career. While it’s easy to get caught up in the patterns of an academic career, the experiential exercises of the Post-Tenure Pathfinders Program reminded me of my purpose for choosing to become an academic.“
Shawn M. Bediako, PhD
Professor
University of Maryland, Baltimore County