Optimizing the effectiveness of adjunct faculty

Adjunct faculty can offer enrichment to the engineering program by bringing practical experience and by introducing relevant industrial applications and problems to the classroom. The industrial perspective of adjunct faculty often manifests itself through an emphasis on communication and presentation skills, and concern for customer needs. Students observing these attributes come away with a better appreciation for the demands of the engineering workplace. Frequently the adjunct faculty member can also provide important linkages for developing industrial affiliate programs, co-op activities and employment opportunities for graduates. This paper offers suggestions relating to the recruitment, support, and evaluation of adjunct faculty, and explores options for forging closer links between industry and academe, via adjunct appointments.