Faculty Development: New Program Supports Perimeter College Faculty Members’ Pursuit of Doctoral Degrees
By Tammy Parrett, The Graduate School
A new fellowship will support faculty members at Georgia State University’s Perimeter College who are pursuing doctoral degrees on the university’s Atlanta Campus.
The Pathway to Attaining the Doctoral Degree (PADD) at Perimeter College is a collaboration between Perimeter College and the Graduate School at Georgia State.
Faculty members at Perimeter College who do not hold terminal degrees are eligible for tenured positions. However, they may not hold a position higher than an associate professor. Of tenure-track faculty members at Perimeter College, 51 percent do not possess a terminal degree. This fellowship will serve to increase career opportunities and expand career ladders for faculty.
“Expanding the credentialing of our faculty is a priority for us,” said Dr. Nancy Kropf, dean of Perimeter College. “Terminal degree rates vary across different sociodemographic and academic categories of our faculty. My hope is that faculty from all backgrounds and academic areas can increase career opportunities at Georgia State and beyond.”
The fellowship program complements the University System of Georgia’s Tuition Assistance Program by providing a reduced teaching load and summer support, so Fellows have more time to focus on doctoral-degree requirements. This support will enable Perimeter faculty to complete doctoral degrees without leaving their faculty roles.
“Supporting faculty excellence via programs like PADD is critical to ensuring success for Georgia State students,” said Lisa Armistead, dean of the Graduate School. “And as a nationally ranked university in both innovation and graduate students from a wide range of backgrounds, we are excited at the opportunity to increase the number of Perimeter College faculty holding doctoral degrees.”
The first cohort of six PADD Fellows includes faculty who are pursuing doctoral degrees in nursing, psychology, English, history and political science. Faculty can apply for the program after completing two years of service at Perimeter College with the nomination or endorsement by their academic unit. Admission into a doctoral program is required for program eligibility, and Perimeter faculty who are already enrolled in doctoral degree programs on the Atlanta Campus can also apply.
For more information about the PADD at Perimeter College program, contact Nancy Kropf, dean of Perimeter College, or Lisa Armistead, dean of the Graduate School at Georgia State University.