USU, APLU to release report on faculty cluster hiring for diversity and institutional climate

APLU and two other leading higher education organizations – the Coalition for Urban Serving Universities, and the Association for American Medical Colleges – that have partnered as “Urban Universities for HEALTH” will hold a live, virtual press conference to release findings from a new report on the impact of university “cluster hiring” on faculty diversity, research excellence, and an inclusive campus climate. The report is the result of in-depth qualitative research conducted by an advisory group of provosts and faculty hiring experts, and includes case studies and promising practices from ten institutions with cluster hiring programs.

To register, please visit: http://urbanuniversitiesforhealth.org/our-work/rsvp

About the Study

Many university leaders are seeking new strategies to expand faculty diversity and cultivate an inclusive campus climate that fosters cross-disciplinary collaboration. Faculty “cluster hiring,” the practice of hiring faculty into multiple departments or colleges around interdisciplinary research topics, is one strategy that some universities have used to achieve these objectives. However, cluster hiring programs have been implemented in many different ways with varying outcomes, and leaders needed additional evidence around key factors for success.

In June 2013, Coalition of Urban Serving Universities (USU) presidents requested new research on faculty cluster hiring and a set of best practices to support the use of this strategy for improving faculty diversity and campus climate. A committee of provosts and other experts led a qualitative research study, which aimed to:

• Identify factors for success with regard to improving diversity and institutional climate;
• Identify unintended consequences and potential pitfalls to avoid; and
• Evaluate the impact of faculty cluster hiring programs on faculty diversity and institutional climate.

A final report containing key findings, institutional case studies, and promising practices for leaders to consider will be released on Thursday, April 30, from 2:30-3:30 p.m. Eastern Time via a virtual press release. Speakers include:

• Michael V. Drake, President, The Ohio State University
• Randy Woodson, Chancellor, North Carolina State University
• Susan D. Phillips, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, SUNY Downstate, and Vice President for Strategic Partnerships, University at Albany, SUNY

This project was facilitated by Urban Universities for HEALTH (Health Equity through Alignment, Leadership and Transformation of the Health Workforce), a partnership effort of the Coalition of Urban Serving Universities (USU)/APLU, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and the NIH National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD). Urban Universities for HEALTH aims to improve evidence and the use of data that will help universities enhance and expand a culturally sensitive, diverse and prepared health workforce that will improve health and health equity in underserved urban communities.