Teaching Professor Review Guidelines and Criteria

Date Issued: June 2022
Office Responsible: Office of the Provost

Overview

The Teaching Professor title recognizes the significant contributions lecturers make to the academic mission of the schools and colleges within the University of Michigan-Flint.

The title Teaching Professor is granted to a Lecturer II or IV who has successfully evaluated through two Major Reviews, has reached or completed at least one Continuing Review, and who demonstrates:

A history of excellence in teaching
Commitment to growth in both knowledge in their discipline and pedagogy
Evidence of practices consistent with the University’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and accessibility goals
If applicable, other notable service to the department (Lecturer IVs only), the University or the profession

I. Process

A. Unit Level (Simultaneous with Continuing Review)

Lecturers scheduled for a Continuing Review will be notified in the semester prior to the semester of the review of the date by which the Lecturer must submit materials requested for the review. Within five business days of receiving the notice, a lecturer may submit a written request for consideration for the Teaching Professor title, in addition to their Continuing Review.
Each department/unit will review Teaching Professor submission materials and provide recommendations to the School/College.
- Units will submit a report of no more than four pages in length, summarizing their assessment of the case and stating whether they: (a) support without reservations; (b) support with reservations; or (c) do not support the lecturer’s application.

B. School/College

The School/College subcommittee will review department recommendations.
The School/College will submit its recommendations to the Provost for final approval.
- For Lecturers who are recommended, it will state whether it: (a) supports without reservations; or (b) supports with reservations.
- The School/College will not submit to the Provost Lecturers who are not recommended for Teaching Professor.

C. Provost Office

Lecturers will be notified of the outcome no later than March 31 of the academic year in which they applied.

D. Possible Outcomes

If successful: The Lecturer will receive the working title of “Teaching Professor” effective September 1 of the following academic year. Lecturers with the title of both “Collegiate Lecturer” and “Teaching Professor” will receive the working title of “Collegiate Teaching Professor”.
If unsuccessful: If their next Continuing Review is scheduled in seven years, the lecturer will have the ability to elect their next Continuing Review to take place in five years, provided they give notice of this intent no later than January 1 of the year preceding the review.

II. Criteria

A. Eligibility Requirements

Must be a Lecturer II or IV in good standing and are at or have completed their first Continuing Review.

B. Required Areas of Proficiency and/or Excellence

1. Growth and Advancement of Knowledge

Growth and advancement of the Employee’s empirical, conceptual, and procedural knowledge relevant to the subject areas in which they provide instruction.

What innovations has the individual made to their teaching method over the years?
How is this growth demonstrated in their courses and/or syllabi?
Do they demonstrate the ability for continued growth and innovation in their knowledge of their subject area?

2. Evaluation and Improvement of Instruction

Evidence that the Employee has evaluated and improved methods of instruction and shown high teaching standards.

How has the individual’s theoretical approach to pedagogy grown over the course of their time as an instructor?
How has the individual’s practical application of the delivery of instruction evolved?
Does the individual demonstrate that they are attentive to pedagogy and are able to express how they evaluate pedagogy in order to continue to improve?

3. Inclusive Teaching

How have they worked to incorporate into their instruction inclusive teaching methods and what work have they done in the instructional setting to advance the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion mission of the University.

How has the individual contributed to the overall teaching mission of the university?
What steps have they taken to advance the university’s DEI mission?
Can they demonstrate how this work has been incorporated in their instruction?

4. Peer Review/Support

Provide one letter of support (not to exceed two pages) from a peer demonstrating that the individual meets one or more of the selection criteria.

C. Additional Supporting Areas (Optional)

Candidates may provide additional support in the following areas:

Demonstrated scholarly or creative work within their field and positioned themselves both internally and externally as having a heightened status within their field.
Participating in activities or programs to advance the mission of the university, support their unit, or improve the culture of the learning environment.
Participation in curriculum development.
Improvement, growth, or advancement in their administrative or service duties if such duties are a part of their appointment.

Key Dates Summary

Action	Deadline
Submit request for Teaching Professor consideration	Within 5 business days of receiving Continuing Review notice
Notification of outcome	No later than March 31 of application year
Title effective date (if successful)	September 1 of following academic year
Notice of intent for accelerated Continuing Review (if unsuccessful)	No later than January 1 of year preceding review

For questions about the Teaching Professor review process, please contact the Office of the Provost at umflintprovost@umich.edu.

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