Information for Adjunct Faculty
Welcome from Tom Shields, Associate Dean
It is my pleasure to welcome you as a member of the SPCS adjunct faculty! Adjunct faculty are the heart and soul of SPCS degree programs. In addition to our academic advisors, yours are the faces and identities students most often connect to the School and its values.
We hire adjuncts intentionally, not because doing so is less expensive for the University, and not because we’re seeking to “adjunctify” the institution — but because adjuncts who are scholar practititioners are the best teachers for our degree-seeking students.
Adjuncts like you bring your professional experience directly from the office into the classroom, providing students the benefit of real-world application of theories learned in class. Because most of our students are themselves working professionals, your work as an adjunct models the kind of lifelong learning we expect our students to engage in throughout their careers.
We appreciate your willingness to give of your time, considerable talents, and abilities on behalf of our degree-seeking students. And we want to make your experience as positive, supportive, and smooth as possible. This section of our website, commissioned and updated by the Adjunct Faculty Advisory Committee, brings together all the processes and resources you’ll need to know in order to make the best of your teaching experience.
On behalf of the School, the University, and the Adjunct Faculty Advisory Committee, thank you for your work on behalf of our students!
Sincerely,
Thomas J. Shields, Ph.D.
Associate Dean, SPCS
Processes & Resources
Adjunct Faculty Advisory Council (AFAC)
Specialties:
- Educational Leadership
- School & Housing Segregation
- Changing Demographics in RVA
- Ethics & Leadership
