The Higher Ed Workplace Blog

Which higher ed disciplines have the most female faculty? What is the female/male faculty pay ratio? What percentage of department chairs are female?

Instead of focusing on more comprehensive “succession planning” (a term that has become so overused that our campus colleagues tune us out when they hear the phrase), let’s create a call to action regarding the long-term sustainability, relevance and ultimate impact of our colleges and universities.

Charged by the university president to become the most civically engaged institution in the nation, Drexel University began formulating a local hiring strategy that has resulted in reduced turnover rates, increased collaboration with community partners and career opportunities for West Philadelphia residents.

CUPA-HR’s The Higher Education Workplace magazine and Higher Ed Workplace blog are full of articles and stories highlighting new and innovative ways to do HR (from institutions and organizations who have been there, done that). In case you missed them, here are some highlights from the magazine and the blog from the past year.

In an attempt to meet the needs of their unique student body and in response to the challenges they face in managing budgets cuts, managing shifting enrollments and maintaining their identity and mission, associate’s institutions differ from other institution types in the composition of their workforce, the benefits they offer, and the representation and pay of women and minorities. CUPA-HR’s newest research brief, A Snapshot of the Staff Workforce in Community and Technical Colleges, highlights some of these differences.

Each month, CUPA-HR General Counsel Ira Shepard provides an overview of some labor and employment law cases and regulatory actions with implications for the higher ed workplace. Read the latest from Ira.

While the holiday season may be a time for celebration, it can also be incredibly stressful. A recent survey by Accountemps found that while 51 percent of workers were happier during the holiday season, 35 percent said they were more stressed this time of year. How can organizations help their employees be mindful of and attend to their health and wellbeing not only during the hectic times, but year-round?

Data from CUPA-HR’s newest research report show that compared to the overall 7 percent growth rate for student affairs positions in higher ed, the number of student counselors has increased 10 percent, and the number of student counseling psychologists has increased 8 percent from 2016-17 to 2017-18. In contrast, the number of student career counselor positions has only increased 2 percent.

Each month, CUPA-HR General Counsel Ira Shepard provides an overview of some labor and employment law cases and regulatory actions with implications for the higher ed workplace. Read the latest from Ira.

Transitioning to a new job can be tough for many people, but this transition can be especially difficult for the nearly 300,000 veterans that enter the U.S. workforce each year. According to recent research, nearly half of all veterans leave their first post-military job within a year, and between 60 percent and 80 percent leave before their second work anniversary. As hiring managers, supervisors and HR professionals, we are in a unique position to help ease the transition for veterans joining our workforces, thereby increasing the odds that they’ll stay.