Re-Entering the Faculty An Exploratory Study on the Role-Shift from Administrator Back to Being a Faculty Member

While there is a significant wealth of scientific knowledge regarding the role shift from faculty member to administrator, what we know regarding the other side of the process – that of shifting from an administrator back to a faculty member – leaves much to be desired. Using qualitative data obtained from the experiences of several faculty members who have stepped up to an administrative role and have then returned to a faculty role at least once in their career, this study aimed to understand the experiences of these faculty members who have returned to their old role after an administrative stint by asking three questions: (1) what were the initial responses of the faculty members after finishing their term as an administrator?; (2) what are the challenges experienced by faculty members once they return to fulltime faculty status after a stint in an administrative position?; and (3) what can be done in order to ease the transition from the perspective of these faculty members? Findings indicate that some faculty members-turned-administrators-turned-faculty members have mixed reactions towards their role shift, though more participants welcome the change rather than regret it for various reasons. However, the return to their old role is not an easy task, as their stint as an administrator has caused changes in their relationships in the workplace.

Keywords: Academe, Role Shift, Faculty, Administrator, Role Strain