Adjunct Nation
Adjunct Nation
Podcast Description
Adjunct faculty are a growing majority in higher education, shaping student experiences while navigating the challenges of contingent employment. As adjuncts at a regional public university, we know firsthand the realities, rewards, and roadblocks that come with the role. That’s why we’re here—to boost your mood and pedagogy with insightful dialogues on current challenges, practical strategies, and pathways forward for you and your students.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast centers on the challenges and rewards of being an adjunct faculty member, addressing specific topics like the integration of AI in education with episodes such as 'AI for All' which explores benefits and drawbacks of AI tools in classrooms, along with practical strategies for enhancing student learning.
Adjunct faculty are a growing majority in higher education, shaping student experiences while navigating the challenges of contingent employment. As adjuncts at a regional public university, we know firsthand the realities, rewards, and roadblocks that come with the role. That’s why we’re here—to boost your mood and pedagogy with insightful dialogues on current challenges, practical strategies, and pathways forward for you and your students.
In this episode of The Adjunct Files, John and Maggie sit down with Marissa Caldwell, Assistant Director of Instructional Support at Villanova University’s College of Professional Studies. They dig into what it really takes to support more than 180 online adjunct faculty—from one-on-one onboarding conversations to low‑stakes discussion groups and a newly built asynchronous orientation hub.
Marissa shares her journey from K–12 English teacher to faculty developer, the realities of online teaching support, and why personal connection matters just as much as LMS training. This episode shines a light on scalable, human-centered practices that help adjuncts feel prepared, supported, and seen—no matter where they’re logging in from.
Theme music composed, performed and produced by James Husni.
Adjunct Nation is a collaborative podcast under the auspices of The Lucas Center for Faculty Development at FGCU. You can learn more by clicking on this link:
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