Well-being

Building Strong Peer Communities: A Resource for Leadership and Advancement

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building peer communities

Author: Chrystal Bruce, PhD, Associate Dean, John Carroll University The NSF ADVANCE Partnership Project, Advancing STEM Careers by Empowering Network Development (ASCEND), was conceived to support the professional advancement of mid-career women STEM faculty and administrators. Through this collaboration, we created regional peer-to-peer networks and provided participant-informed education, training, and professional support to equip faculty … Read more

Closing the Year with Intention: Reflections Before Reset

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end of year reflection

Author: NCFDD As the academic year draws to a close, it is tempting to focus only on the next set of deadlines, the next proposal, or the next project waiting for intention. The culture of higher education often rewards forward motion, yet meaningful progress requires a pause. Reflection is not a luxury. It is a … Read more

From Burnout to Renewal: Rethinking Mid-Career in Academia

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burnout mid career acaemia

When you first imagined your academic career, you may have pictured the mid-career stage as a time of ease. Tenure would be behind you, the pressure of constant evaluation would lessen, and you would finally have the freedom to pursue the work you love. For many faculty, the reality looks very different. Instead of freedom, … Read more

Every Semester Needs a Plan

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Every Semester Needs a Plan

Facilitator: Ndidiamaka Amutah-Onukagha, PhDAssistant DeanTufts University Plan Your Most Productive—and Balanced—Semester Yet On-Demand Webinar Recording Did you start this semester with big writing goals—only to find yourself already feeling behind? You’re not alone. And it’s not too late to turn things around. Watch our free Semester Planning Webinar recording, designed for busy academics who want … Read more

Why We Built a New Online Community for Academics

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NCFDD Community introduction

At NCFDD, we’ve spent the past 15 years building programs, tools, and resources to support faculty development at every career stage. But one thing we kept hearing from graduate students, new assistant professors, and tenured faculty alike was this: “I feel like I’m doing this alone.” Whether it’s the pressure to publish, the struggle to … Read more

From Burnout to Breakthroughs: How Faculty Can Reclaim Their Time and Energy

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faculty burnout

Faculty burnout isn’t new, but it’s getting harder to ignore. Between competing demands, shifting expectations, and an ever-growing to-do list, faculty continue to be stretched more thinly than ever before. The pursuit of teaching excellence, groundbreaking research, and meaningful service often comes at the expense of personal well-being. At NCFDD, we’ve spent 15 years partnering … Read more

The Link Between Faculty Development and Institutional Success

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institutional success

Author: NCFDD In higher education, student success is a top priority. Institutions dedicate significant resources to advising, academic support, and student engagement initiatives. But one essential factor often doesn’t get the attention it deserves: faculty. Faculty success isn’t separate from institutional success. It’s the driving force behind it. When faculty are supported—through development opportunities, mentoring, … Read more

FSP by the Numbers: A Snapshot of Impact 

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faculty success program

Since its inception, the Faculty Success Program (FSP) has supported thousands of academics across disciplines, institutions, and identities as they navigate the demands of scholarly writing, research productivity, and sustainable work-life integration. From assistant professors just beginning their careers to full professors seeking renewed focus, FSP provides a proven structure and community to help faculty … Read more

From Uncertainty to Clarity: Inside the First Department Chair Success Program

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department chair success program

For new and experienced department chairs alike, leadership can feel isolating. You’re expected to manage conflict, mentor faculty, make strategic decisions, and balance countless priorities—often without any formal preparation. That’s exactly why we launched the Department Chair Success Program (CSP). After welcoming our inaugural cohort, one thing became clear: when chairs are supported, everything changes. … Read more

The Academic Leader’s Role in Navigating Uncertainty and Supporting Faculty Well-Being

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well-being

Author: NCFDD In our recent webinar, Navigating Uncertainty in Higher Ed: Approaches for Academic Leaders, we focused on the most pressing concerns that higher education leaders face and shared strategies for guiding institutions and supporting faculty through these challenging times. Throughout the discussion, we heard from a panel of experts—Dr. Lisa Hanasono, Dr. Alison Levine, Dr. … Read more